You can learn more about what affiliate links are and how we use them on getinspiredeveryday.com by reading our affiliate links policy here. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. !’ and even with a recommendation people chose to keep going because they were on a time crunch and already tired – so be sure to start early in the day for this one! Highline Trail Hike in Glacier National Park Grinnell & Salamander Glaciers overlook trail also. Grinnell Glacier Overlook. About. View along the Highline Trail Best done as a one way hike from Logan Pass to Loop pass using the park shuttle (13 miles, 1400ft). Thank you for sharing your experience…my husband and I (a very long time ago) had the pleasure of visiting Lake Louise, and your photos are taking me right back. Grinnell Glacier is steadily melting, having shrunk to almost in half its former size in the last forty years due to rising temperatures. The water from this lake then flows about a thousand feet down several waterfalls until it empties into Grinnell Lake, which is located to the extreme left on this photo. Views from the top look down on Grinnell Glacier, the Salamander (formerly part of Grinnell Glacier, but now a separate, hanging glacier) and the surreal, turquoise Upper Grinnell Lake. Then the trail gains elevation with views of Grinnell Falls, Angel Wing, Mt. From the higher lookout point, you see Grinnell Glacier, Grinnell Lake, Lake Josephine, and Swiftcurrent Lake – the entire mountain corridor comes into view! Max Elevation: 6515 feet A man strikes a similar pose in the 2008 repeat photograph. It was out down the loop the third day. Length 11.4 mi Elevation gain 3,710 ft Route type Out & Back Gould, the Continental Divide and Grinnell Lake. On this site you may find affiliate links. Remember, this is grizzly and black bear country. See evidence of glaciers all around. This trail goes by Granite Park Chalet. The view of Grinnell Glacier from the viewpoint on the Many Glacier trail. Reaching the Grinnell Glacier Overlook: This route can be found in Volume 3 of Climb Glacier National Park. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Required fields are marked *. The Banff to Jasper area is so large with so many amazing sites to see! There are many trails to explore in Glacier National Park, a good first choice would be the Highline Trail that leads to the overlook above Grinnell Glacier. There's a hiker shuttle bus service that makes this possible. Here we are eating my Mediterranean Pasta Salad at the top of the world! Grinell Glacier and Wing Lookout [CLOSED] is a 13.8 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Browning, Montana that features a lake and is rated as difficult. This route leads to the highest point accessible via trail in Glacier National Park, which arguably features some of its best views. CLOSED as part of general east side closure due to pandemic. Hi everyone! But at the 7-mile point, that changed. The overlook stands roughly one thousand feet above Grinnell Glacier, which was discovered in 1885 by George Bird Grinnell, an early American conservationist, … Highly recommend this route as Grinnell Overlook via Granite Park Trail is a 11.4 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Lake Mc Donald, Montana that features a lake and is rated as difficult. You're standing on an impressive notch on the Continental Divide overlooking (you guessed it) Grinnell Glacier and the various turquoise-colored lakes that it feeds. Read more…. Grinnell Glacier Overlook Not very many people know about this trail, and it’s a real gem! The trail is primarily used for hiking and is best used from June until October. The view from Glacier Overlook justifies the effort. 🙂, Oh, I will definitely check that out! Nevertheless, it’s still quite an impressive sight. Grinnell Glacier from Overlook (2004) (Image credit: 2004 photograph by Karen Holzer (USGS)) AFTER: The 2004 photo shows a dramatic increase in the size of the lake as a result of melting ice. Grinnell Glacier. 🙂. It is a day long hike along the shores of Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine. Grinnell Glacier: Grinnel glacier overlook - See 651 traveler reviews, 737 candid photos, and great deals for Glacier National Park, MT, at Tripadvisor. Projected initial clearing date: 7/30/2020 per 658 This is probably best done as a one way hike finishing at either The Loop (further west along the road) or at the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn in the Many Glacier area. 🙂. ©Copyright 2013 - 2020 Get Inspired Everyday!™. I catch all the views I missed going down. Images from the K. Ross Toole Archives, University of Montana: Images that were acquired from the University of Montana may be protected by copyright. The Grinnell Overlook Trail takes you on a shoot right to the top of that wall! On the other side, you’ll see down into the Many Glacier region of Glacier National Park with a fantastic view of Grinnell Glacier, (of course). Grinnell Glacier Overlook. 🙂, Your email address will not be published. If you encounter an aggressive bear, bear spray is … The ‘Other’ Overlook (aka The Grinnell Glacier Overlook from the Highline Trail) In theory, this overlook doesn’t exist. Very doable for most. Grinnell Glacier (Grinnell Lake Overlook) Length: 6.8 miles one way / ~3.8 miles one way to Grinnell Lake Overlook (both distances from Many Glacier Hotel - a boat is available to cross Swiftcurrent and Lake Josephine to knock off 1.7 miles one way) Elevation Gain: 1840 feet. There will also be a gem colored lake sitting at the base of the glacier, which will make you believe in fairy-tales, or maybe that blue Gatorade comes from someplace other than a factory. Yes the view is worth the extra effort! Kari, these photographs are breathtaking. With Grinnell Glacier access restricted (Covid), we accessed via the Highline trail (Logan Pass visitor center), climbed to the Grinnell Overlook (via Garden Wall trail), and returned via the Loop trail (to the Loop parking lot for pickup). 5.1 miles one … See park web site for map with latest area closure. Views from the top look down on Grinnell Glacier, the Salamander (formerly part of Grinnell Glacier, but now a separate, hanging glacier) and the surreal, turquoise Upper Grinnell Lake. Grinnell stands tall between two incredible drainages in the Many Glacier area of Glacier National Park. Sheer cliff faces add more drama as if more drama were necessary. EnjoyYourParks Blog     I     Suggested Itineraries     I    Gift Shop    I     Our Favorite Businesses    I    Images For Sale    I    Contact Us    I    About Us, The Grinnell Glacier Overlook is a very special place that is thousands of feet above the Grinnell Glacier in, . Your email address will not be published. When I hiked the Highline, a missing person sign was posted at the trailhead. If you Google this trail, as I did before doing the Highline, you will see that everyone says that the Overlook side trail is strenuous. Sheer cliff faces add more drama as if more drama were necessary. It’s also a great place to get out of the wind for a bit, and eat some lunch. Stunning. The huge mountain directly above Grinnell Glacier is the iconic. If you stay at the chalet be sure to work this into your hiking plans. This is definitely one of the best views I’ve ever seen, and it’s not to be missed if you’re coming to Glacier National Park! The Grinnell Glacier Overlook is a very special place that is thousands of feet above the Grinnell Glacier in Glacier National Park. The best overlook area of Grinnell Lake is just off the trail to Grinnell Glacier and before the park service’s snow hazard sign on a chain across the trail. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is best used from June until October. I forgot about the Swiftcurrent Lookout option, so thanks for mentioning it – it’s another fabulous option while you’re in the area! Using binoculars, you can see hikers taking a break at the top of the Grinnell Glacier hike. Most of the repeat photography images available on this website are in the public domain and may be reproduced without permission. We did not do this, since the day before we hiked to Grinnell Glacier from Many Glacier. Wonderful…, Hope you enjoy it, we can’t wait to go back because we feel like we missed so much! It’s actually a spur trail that starts about 1 mile from Granite Park Chalet on the Highline Trail, (you can also reach this lookout via the loop trail that leads up to the Granite Park Chalet). The 1920 photo shows National Park Service Director, Steven Mather, on Piatt Path near present day Grinnell Glacier Overlook. Go to Road Information for road conditions, road repairs and delay schedules as well as estimated opening information. I love to create mostly healthy recipes, and occasionally a chocolatey indulgence. This is an updated book featuring full color photographs of routes and much more. If you’ve been to Lake Louise, be sure to check out our Canada category because we did a 3 week trip in that area last fall that you might be interested in! Learn how your comment data is processed. It is approximately 1.6 miles to reach Grinnell Glacier Overlook. We’ve partnered with brands we trust and only recommend products we use and love. A panorama of … Permission may be required for use. I hope you find something inspirational; let me know what you think. I tried just to focus on the trail going up so it isn’t so daunting. Trailhead: Logan Pass visitor center, on the Going-to-the-Sun road. Walking up a little further is totally safe as long as you never venture near the cliffs! During our trip, we saw a black bear next to Going-to-the-Sun Road. Overview. It’s actually a spur trail that starts about 1 mile from Granite Park Chalet on the Highline Trail, (you can also reach this lookout via the loop trail that leads up to the Granite Park Chalet). As you can see in the above photograph, as you make your way upwards it’s sheer cliffs to your left – so if you find yourself leading that direction, steer right. Thanks Mike I’m glad you enjoyed the post, and we had a great Thanksgiving (no mountain adventures but plenty of good food)! It is unlike anything previously seen on Highline Trail. Grinnell Glacier is in the heart of Glacier National Park in the U.S. state of Montana. The trail is about 1 mile from the Highline Trail to the top of the overlook, but trust me, 1 mile never seemed so long! The view from this overlook is absolutely spectacular, and it's very much worth the hike up the, The Grinnell Overlook Trail branches off the, The semi-frozen lake just off Grinnell Glacier is Upper Grinnell Lake. Visible by a very challenging day hike from the Many Glacier area. The above photo is what you can see when you first reach the overlook – with views of Grinnell Glacier and Grinnell Lake. Not very many people know about this trail, and it’s a real gem! I’m enjoying country living here in the Flathead Valley, Montana. If you do not have plans to hike to Grinnell Glacier on a separate day, I recommend adding this detour onto your day. Highline trail to the Grinnell glacier overlook. If you hike just 10-15 minutes farther up to the right, the views will take you breath away because you can see twice as much (refer to the photo below)! The glacier spills into Grinnell Lake and a string of lakes to the northeast in the Many Glacier region of the park. The Grinnell Glacier Overlook is also accessible from Logan Pass via The Highline Trail but it is nearly 7 miles on relatively easy miles. The glacier is named for George Bird Grinnell, an early American conservationist and explorer, who was also a strong advocate of ensuring the creation of Glacier National Park. Contrary to what you might think the wind dies down as you go upwards – it’s worst at the lookout because it’s a mountain saddle. Mt. A steep hike up to the Grinnell Glacier Overlook in Glacier National Park puts you at the top of the Continental Divide. This is a strenuous hike but completely worth it for the views! A little less than 7 miles into the 11-mile hike, there’s an overlook that looks down on Grinnell Glacier in the Many Glacier Valley. Earlier that morning, we were told that Grinnell Glacier Overlook was actually located somewhere else in Glacier National Park. Take a good look, because glaciologists estimate that by 2030, this glacier and all of the others in the park will have melted completely. Pinned to my Bucket List Adventures! We watched so many people pass this extra trail up in favor of continuing to the chalet. Top 10 Tips for Visiting Glacier National Park. We hiked into Granite Chalet day one, then hiked Grinnell Overlook and Swiftcurrent Lookout the next day. Find it when you arrive in the area from local retailers or order it from the author on line at Volume Three. ... Jackson Glacier Overlook. The scenic overlook is accessed from the Swiftcurrent Pass trail just west of the actual pass. This is a moderate one way trail to Grinnell Glacier Overlook in Glacier National Park.. Grinnell Glacier: Is another epic hike in Glacier. After your first mile or so there is a marker indicating the trail and the remaining.6 miles you have left to hike. Image Use. This is where the Grinnell Glacier Overlook side trail shoots off. Some even asked us if it’s worth it, to which we replied ‘yes it’s so worth it!! From the trail junction, you can see the lookout which seems deceptively close. Great tips! My name is Kari. While not on the Garden Wall, the easiest way to access it is from the Lake McDonald side via the Grinnell Glacier Overlook. There’s so much beauty in the Rocky Mountains, I don’t think we’ll ever come to the end of it! Glacier Overlook peers eastward on to the ice fields and melted pools of Grinnell Glacier. Organization, jobs, budget Grinnell Glacier Trail From Josephine Lake to Glacier Overlook/ 3.7 mi. The Grinnell Glacier Overlook. If you’re well-versed in snow travel and are prepared, there are usually several snowfields to cross if your destination is Grinnell Glacier. Contact, chat, social media. The Grinnell Glacier Overlook trail will bring you above one of Glacier National Park’s most prominent glacier formations. Great post Kari, I love every single picture: AMAZING! The Highline Trail runs along the Garden Wall which you will see on your drive up the Going to the Sun Road to Logan’s Pass in Glacier National Park. Something about the steepness or possibly that you’ve already hiked 7 miles to get there, but this shoot to the top can be taxing, especially in hot weather. The view from this overlook is absolutely spectacular, and it's very much worth the hike up the Highline Trail on the Going-to-the-Sun Road at Logan Pass to see it. Glacier National Park   I  Yellowstone National Park  I  Grand Teton National Park  I  Waterton Lakes National Park You may … So far, this was a pretty fabulous walk in the park – literally. Home Page   I   Glacier Park    I    Top Ten Things To Do    I    Glacier Park Hikes/Places    I    Where to See Animals     I     Views from the Summits PS hope you had an awesome Thanksgiving! The detour to Grinnell Glacier Overlook is the trail to the left. Grinnell Glacier Overlook Portrait 1910. July 2018 Third hike in three days. Hiking info, trail maps, and 9 trip reports from Grinnell Glacier Overlook (7,516 ft) in Montana Length 13.8 mi Elevation gain 3,015 ft Route type Out & Back