Grinnell Glacier Hike

If you plan a trip to Glacier National Park, Montana, this is a hike you should definitely consider. It is located on the east side of the park. When I visited here, the west side of the park was closed due to a fire and our access was limited to the east side. I would recommend this hike even if the west side is open 🙂

There is a parking lot, day use picnic area and toilets near the trailhead. The trail is clearly marked. The hike is around 10 miles out and back but we had to do an extra 1.5 mile each way due to a closure. Total elevation gain is around 2,000 ft. I would categorize this hike between moderate and difficult. Use of hiking boots is recommended.

Carry sunscreen, a hat and plenty of water or a water filter with you. There are waterfalls on the way so you can fill your bottle if you have a filter. A packed lunch would not be a bad idea either. You can enjoy it while watching the glacier at the top.

Waterfall on the way

The first two miles of trail is around lake Josephin – flat, pleasant with great views. Uphill starts when you see the 3.5 miles to the glacier sign. The first two miles of uphill is fairly steep but it gets better after that (except the last 0.4 miles). We did the hike in August so it got pretty hot during day. It might be a good idea to start early and do the uphill climb before it starts to get hot. There is no shade for the most part of the trail.

There are bears in this park so always carry a bear spray with you. Don’t leave any food on the trail. The last 0.4 miles of the trail may seem endless but the view at the top will make up for everything.

Grinnell glacier – view at the top

About Glacier National Park

GNP is one of the most beautiful national park in the US, known for its glaciers, lakes and mountains. It is located in Montana. Nearest airport is Kalispell (FCA). Only mode of transport is rental car.

There are plenty lodges and hotels for stay but if you want to try something different glamping is an option too. We stayed with Under Canvas Glacier. The tent had a comfortable king bed and two cots. Common bathrooms are clean and well maintained. They also have a picnic area with propane grills which we used to prepare some of our meals.

Tent that accomodates up to 5 people

Due to the smoke in the air, I could not take clear pictures of the amazing views in the park. But, hopefully, my pictures have enticed you enough to plan your trip too.