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We planned two big hikes for our time in Glacier National Park, the Highline Trail and the hike to Grinnell Glacier. Hiking the Grinnell Glacier Trail ranks high on our list of most amazing adventures anywhere. This is a world class hike!
The impressive Grinnell Glacier is on the northern side of Mount Gould and sits at about 7,000 feet. The hike features stunning jeweled lake views, alpine meadows dotted with wildflowers, the chance to spot wildlife, and the prize – ending at the foot of the Grinnell Glacier and its incredible setting.
Hiking the Grinnell Glacier Trail is the only way to see the glacier up close. And this hike offers so much! Even if you are not in great shape, you can do it! You will be greatly rewarded for your efforts.
Options for Hiking and Boats
Entire Hike on Foot
To hike to Grinnell Glacier, you can leave from the trailhead near the Many Glacier Picnic Area to complete the entire hike on foot. The entire roundtrip hike – no boats – is 11 miles out and back.
Taking the Hiker Boat Shuttles (a/k/a Boat Tours) Both Ways
Alternately, you can take two boats over Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine on a Glacier Park Boat Company tour / shuttle to begin your hike at the south end of Lake Josephine. Taking the boats both directions saves you 3.4 miles roundtrip, making it a 7.6 mile out and back hike from the Lake Josephine boat dock.
With boat reservations, you have a specific departure time, but can return on any of the boats for the remainder of the day.
See our Glacier National Park page for more information on taking the two scenic boat rides, which are booked as one trip, across Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine.
Taking the Hiker Boat Shuttles (a/k/a Boat Tours) Return Only
A third option is to purchase return-only tickets for the both boats, hiking all the way to Grinnell Glacier from the trailhead, but cutting the return short by using the boats to get back over the lakes. This option results in a hike of a little more than 9 miles.
As with the roundtrip boat tickets, you are free to return on any of the boats for the remainder of the day.
Do Your Research
The boats need to be reserved well in advance through the Glacier Park Boat Company. Choose the Many Glacier area and then scroll down to book. Also, see our Glacier National Park page for more information on taking the boats.
It’s a good idea to also study the National Park Service’s Many Glacier Area hiking map for routes, distances, and the various options for starting your hike, as you can also leave from Swiftcurrent Inn or the Glacier Park Hotel.
Getting on the Waitlist
If there is no availability for the boats, you can also join the waitlist by visiting boat dock ticket office in person on the day you wish to take the boats. The requirement to show up at opening early in the morning to get on the waitlist could put a damper on your day, so try to book in advance!
How We did this Hike
By the time we realized how many miles of hiking we could save by taking the boats, and tried to reserve, there was no availability left. However, we began checking daily, and were eventually able to book one-way return trip tickets.
Hiking up to Grinnell Glacier
Along the Lakeshores
We left out from the Many Glacier Hotel at sunrise, or around 7 AM (having driven our small RV there from the Many Glacier campground so that it would be near the boat dock when we returned). We followed the south shore of Swiftcurrent Lake for 0.7 miles, then turned onto a 0.2 mile leg that follows the south end of the lake.
At that point, you come to a junction and turn left, or south, to the trail that follows the north shore of Lake Josephine. After 1.3 miles, you leave Lake Josephine and begin climbing toward the glacier. The terrain along the lakeshores is flat dirt. We were able to move quickly over this area.
Climbing to Views of Grinnell Lake
Continuing on, about .7 miles, you begin to see the aquamarine Grinnell Lake in the valley below the trail. The two mountains dominating your view above the lake are Angel Wing and Mount Gould. Look for Grinnell Falls far in the distance over the western end of the lake.
Up to First Views of Grinnell Glacier
The trail continues through alpine meadows and over gently sloped terrain before climbing a series of switchbacks. At about the 1.75 mile mark, you have your first views of the Grinnell Glacier.
Higher Up to Views of Salamander Glacier
Continuing on up the valley, the Salamander Glacier comes into prominent view just below the Garden Wall.
Around the 2.25 mile point, the trail narrows out and is cut into the cliff face. While at times there are exhilaratingly steep drop offs, the path is wide enough and only exposed on one side. I did not feel unsafe, and I have a fear of heights.
Rest Area
There are a few places to stop and catch your breath. One is at about the 3.2 mile mark, where there is a small rest area with wooden benches and a pit toilet.
After the rest area, you climb steeply up a series of switchbacks over a rocky moraine. This part of the hike is best done early or late in the day if possible as it is exposed and strenuous. (We recommend getting an early start on this hike anyway to avoid hiking with the crowds.)
When pausing to catch your breath along this stretch, look back behind you for stunning views of Grinnell Lake and Lake Josephine in the distance. Also, look for mountain goats in this area. We saw two sitting ong a ledge just below the trail.
Grinnell Glacier Viewpoint
Keep persisting up the trail where, after 3.6 miles of hiking from the turnoff to the Grinnell Glacier Trail from the Lake Josephine area (and a little over 5 miles from Many Glacier Hotel), you finally arrive at the Grinnell Glacier Viewpoint.
From here, you can see the pool that forms below the glacier with its striking ice formations. We visited in early September and there was still ice in the pool.
Views from this area are staggering, with the sheer face of the Garden Wall, the imposing 9,500+ foot Mount Gould, and the stunning Grinnell Glacier. It is hard to get a sense for the scale of this place until you are here in person. Look for people down at the base of the pool in the picture below.
Pool Area Below Grinnell Glacier
Walk down to the pool at the foot of the glacier. This is a picture perfect picnic and rest spot with wide rock ledges and plenty of room to find your spot. The “icebergs” floating in the aquamarine pool add to the surreal drama of this scene. The scale of the glacier, seen from such close proximity, and the huge, majestic mountains, create a magnificent, breathtaking panorama.
We saw people walking out onto the ice below the glacier (far to the left when facing the glacier) and swimming here.
Heading Back to the Lake Josephine Boat Dock
After spending an hour at the Grinnell Glacier, we headed back down. As mentioned before, we had one-way return boat tickets, so we only needed to hike the 3.6 miles down to the Lake Josephine boat dock.
More Fantastic Views Back Down Valley to Lakes
Moments after your turnaround, you are treated to more superb views of Grinnell Lake and Lake Josephine far below. As you travel downhill, these views, plus the pleasant wildflower-studded alpine meadows surrounding you, erase any aches and pains you might have.
There are a few difficult, rocky steps down along the way. Hiking poles spare your knees a lot of stress. See our Hiking Gear page (coming soon) for more information on hiking / trekking poles.
To the Lake Josephine Boat Dock
After about 3 miles, you come to the turn off to the Lake Josephine boat dock. From here, the trail descends steeply toward the lake, ending with a stretch on raised wooden boardwalks over a marsh before ending at the boat dock.
Taking the return boats here saves you about 1.7 miles of hiking back to the trailhead. But you must have already purchased your one-way return tickets!
Lake Josephine Boat Dock
We arrived at the boat dock around 2 PM and waited about 45 minutes for a return boat. While we could have planned our day for a shorter wait, we did not want to be tied to the clock. As we waited, we enjoyed snacks and took pictures.
There was quite a crowd gathered by the time the boat came, so we got in line as soon as it began to form. Some had to wait for the next boat.
See our Glacier National Park page for more information on taking the two scenic boat rides, which are booked as one trip, across Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine.