Mt. I don’t think you’ll go wrong either way. Required fields are marked *. The Grinnell Glacier Overlook Trail has plenty of places you can stop along the way and grab a snack from your bag or a quick lunch. These hiking stats are for the Highline Trail, starting at Logan Pass and ending at the Loop, without any detours. This part of the hike is monotonous and on a sunny day, it can feel very warm. I recommend you stop when you can to take some pictures from the top of Haystack Pass! It will be well worth the effort. =) Total Distance = apprx. Grinnell Glacier Overlook. Traverse Between Grinnell Glacier Overlook and Swiftcurrent Pass This traverse can be completed from the Loop on GTS Road as a long day hike (very similar to the route description for Mount Grinnell) or as a very long day hike from Logan Pass. We did not back up because I did not want to lose sight of it. Grinnell Glacier Overlook. This part of the hike is a steep downhill walk in and out of a forest. And PLEASE do not feed wildlife. 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. Most people start at Logan Pass and end at the Loop. Trailhead: Logan Pass visitor center, on the Going-to-the-Sun road. We did not do this, since the day before we hiked to Grinnell Glacier from Many Glacier. Carved out from the cliffs that tower over Going-to-the-Sun road is a narrow path. Take your pick from 50 of the world's best travel adventures. Trekking Poles. And it sucks. 1) Park at the Loop on Going to the Sun Road and take the Loop trail to Granite Park Chalet and then get on the Highline Trail headed towards Logan's Pass to the Grinnell Glacier Overlook tail head or 2) *the longer route* Park at Logan's Pass and take the Highline Trail along the Garden Wall to the Grinnell Glacier Overlook trail … During our trip, we saw a black bear next to Going-to-the-Sun Road. Grinnell Glacier is in the heart of Glacier National Park in the U.S. state of Montana.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. Eventually, the trail will lead you in between mountains, and you’ll be able to see views of valleys that look like they’re right out of a dream. The view from Glacier Overlook justifies the effort. To get a parking spot, you will need to arrive early (before 7:30 am). The views will be so worth it when you get to the top. If you have a fear of heights, this first section could be very challenging. On the left side is a drop-off to Going-to-the-Sun Road. We parked at Logan Pass, hiked to the Loop, and took the shuttle back to Logan Pass. Take as many breaks as you need! Let me tell you when you come upon Grinnell Glacier Overlook, you’re going to feel the fattest smile come on your face. There are two ways to get to this trail. I recommend having your camera handy! I found the trees to be a wild contrast to the rest of the trail and we had some great views of the surrounding mountains. Once here, the views are amazing and it’s a mostly downhill walk to Granite Park Chalet. If it were me, I’d try to get to Logan Pass between 7 and 7:30 am. 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 is not much shade along the trail, and it is LONG. There is nothing to see on the downhill walk to the Loop. The Highline Trail is a point-to-point hike. Some other folks decided to go to the right and hike up to a higher viewpoint. Kara has certainly grown taller over the year(s)! Grinnell stands tall between two incredible drainages in the Many Glacier area of Glacier National Park. Overall, it will be a longer hike, but you get to enjoy the spectacular views the entire time. Yes, shuttles were running last year. You’re going to want to have it handy to take photos while you hike! The Grinnell Glacier Overlook Trail can be extremely rocky. We are currently touring the national parks in Colorado and traffic seems lighter than normal. SO, there are a couple of trailhead options here. The line can be long so expect to wait for a spot on the shuttle. If you have a large group, hitchhiking will probably be your best option. Elevation Gain: 800 feet When we did this, the parking lot was almost completely filled by 7:45 am. I mean, mine did! Kara and I had been keeping up a conversation…we played A LOT of rounds of 20 questions while hiking the Highline trail. For more information on the hike, you can read my blog about it here. This option is popular because it is shorter than the alternative, BUT you will have a steep climb ahead of you, and you won’t get many views at all. The views are incredible and some of my favorites of the day. Hello, just dropping a thank you for the immensely helpful information you share on this site. Travel to Ahern Pass (5 miles) Head north and follow the continental divide to Ahern Pass, a quiet trail where spectacular views await you. 11 miles – starting from Logan Pass and ending at The Loop, Tips For Hiking Grinnell Glacier Overlook, The Grinnell Glacier Overlook Trail can be extremely rocky. Yes, this is an option, and it has several advantages. Have fun in Glacier! Maybe Iceberg is a little less crowded, but that’s just a guess. Apikuni Falls. Pro Travel Tip: Plan on getting to Logan Pass by 7:30 am. This first mile is one of the best parts of Highline Trail. It felt great to reach Going-to-the-Sun Road. Save on pre-loved gear at REI.com. However, there are some picnic benches and tables at the chalet so it does make a nice place to stop and take a break. Hike along the Highline Trail (from The Loop and Granite Park Chalet or from the south along the Highline Trail) to the Grinnell Glacier Overlook and follow that trail to the overlook. Views the entire way but lots of foot traffic on and past the overlook turn off. Since the Many Glacier area of the park is closed, it may be worth it for some people to hike the spur trail to the Grinnell Glacier Overlook just to get a glimpse of this area of the park. Scott and I relied on our 16-35mm lens, but an excellent 24-70mm can work as well. The shuttles are small and they leave two available seats for people getting on at the Loop. Doing so can prompt them to attack humans for food in the future. The vegetation in Glacier National Park is very fragile and can take hundreds of years to grow back if you trample all over it. This was our second bear encounter in two days in Glacier National Park. This is one of the biggest decisions of the day. In fact, locals call bear bells “dinner bells,” since studies show that they can actually make bears more curious and want to investigate the sound of the bells. A sign will point you straight to actually get up to the chalet, but take a left here to bypass the chalet and continue the rest of your hike. According to online resources, the climb here is about 275ft. The switchbacks along the last leg of the trail will all be going downhill until you finally reach a small creek and a bridge, your last hundred feet before getting back to The Loop! The hike to the Grinnell Glacier Overlook in Glacier National Park begins from the Highline Trailhead, located on the north side of the Going-to-the-Sun Road at Logan Pass. I’m going to help you with all your glacier dream – tehehe. Hitchhike! Your email address will not be published. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Looking for an epic adventure that will take you through and around the most significant peaks in Glacier National Park? There are no bathrooms or potable water at the Loop. Expect high traffic here, especially on the first section, all day long. Bear spray is a MUST on Grinnell Glacier Overlook Trail!As with all hikes in Glacier National Park, you need to be bear aware during your visit. About 8 … A good polarizer will help you take better photos! Our website uses cookies. Happy hiking! Check the status of the trail before you go. All rights reserved © Earth Trekkers. While searching for this year’s trip to Glacier (and Yellowstone/Grand Tetons) I came across your site again. I also found that the chalet area was quite photogenic as it has 360 views of Glacier National Park’s most magnificent peaks! I’ll be honest, though, I didn’t feel like going uphill anymore, so I stayed down below. *FYI, we entered the park from the west entrance of Glacier National Park. From the Visitors Center, you will walk across the road and hop on the Highline Trail. After taking a break, get ready to finish your hike! Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Read all of our articles in our. The Granite Chalet is a historic chalet built back in the early 1900s to provide accommodations in Glacier National Park. The Loop has a smaller parking lot that can accommodate roughly 20 cars. If the shuttle is not running, you can do this as an out-and-back hike. Lightweight Better Sweater Marsupial Pullover – Women’s, Spacedye Caught in the Midi High-Waisted 7/8 Leggings – Women’s. IMPORTANT: The trail can close due to grizzly bear activity in the area. After your climb, the trail will begin to decend towards Granite Park where you will find the side trail leading up to Grinnell Glacier Overlook. When to go: This hike is open when Going-to-the-Sun Road is open, usually late June/early July to the middle of October. I want you all to have the best gear available so I’ll never put something in my blog that I don’t think you’ll personally love :). Also, eastbound from this area is going uphill, and westbound (taking you out of the park) will be going downhill. The Grinnell Glacier trailhead is located on Continental Divide Trail, the road that connects the Many Glacier Hotel with Swiftcurrent Motor Inn and the Many Glacier Campground. Grinnell Glacier Overlook Continued with Option #2 Grinnell Glacier Overlook Fast Facts. On the right side is a cable attached to the rock wall, there to assist you if you feel like you need something to hold onto. There is not much shade along the trail, and it is LONG. Scott and I hiked Grinnell Glacier Overlook mid-day. This detour adds 1.6 miles (round trip) onto the hike with 900 feet of elevation gain. I’m glad we keep coming up in your internet searches. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. The Grinnell Glacier Overlook is located about a mile before you reach the Granite Park Chalet. However, the advantage of parking here is that once you are done your hike, you do not have to wait for the shuttle to take you back to your car. It’s a short, switchback trail to the top of the pass. I’ve really enjoyed your site as you have inspired our family to take some adventures over the past couple of years. Hike 6.8 miles on a pleasantly gradual trail to get to the overlook trail. YOU’D LIKE: The Best Stops Along Going To The Sun Road. Distance: 11.6 miles one-way I wonder how crowded Glacier will be this year…if the park closures and Covid will keep traffic down? It is a steep .6 miles up the trail to the overlook. I have seen a couple of photos from the right side of Grinnell Glacier, and it looks incredible. The shuttle runs every 15 minutes. Start your hike at Logan Pass, hike through the Highline Trail, hike up to the overlook, go down, hike to the chalet, then end your hike at The Loop. Trail Location: Logan Pass; Parking Lot: Elevation Gain: 365ft; Trail Distance: 11 miles – starting from Logan Pass and ending at The Loop; Trail Includes: Scenic photo spots, wildlife, mountain views; Difficulty: Difficult The trail to Haystack Pass, which is off in distance. From the junction with the Grinnell Glacier Overlook Trail, you are 0.7 miles from the historic Granite Park Chalet, which is another great place to catch your breath and refill your water bottle. 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. Along the way, you’ll go through some lush forest until you come to a wide-open area where the trees are burned. 1 mi (1.6 km) Elevation gain: 700 ft (213 m) Trailhead: Apikuni parking area, 1.1 miles … I have heard that the shuttle is not running this year, but you should double check this. We weren’t lucky enough to spot any mountain goats or Bighorn sheep, but several deer made an appearance during our hike. You can start your hike from The Loop on Going To The Sun Road, climb an ugly amount of elevation to the Granite Chalet, then hike up to the overlook, then back down the same way. From the Granite Park Chalet, it is a 4-mile hike to get to the Loop. The first part of this trail is through a shady, cool forest. It’s also possible to see black bear or grizzly bear. For the best images, bring a wide lens with you! As we climbed up the Grinnell Glacier Overlook Trail, I started getting extra hot and took off my jacket, but you better bet yo ass that I layered up as the sun was setting! While hiking, I was constantly scanning not only the trail in front of us, but also the trees and brush along the sides of the trail. If you do not have plans to hike to Grinnell Glacier on a separate day, I recommend adding this detour onto your day. As we came around a bend, I saw a black bear on the trail in front of us. When you do this hike, turn around at the Glacier Park Chalet. =)) I finally checked this off my Hike bucket list! You most likely will not be the only one looking for a ride. Take advantage of the free park shuttle to get back to your car. There are places to take breaks in between the climb, and plenty of people will be, so don’t shy away from stopping to catch your breath. Check out Grinnell Glacier Overlook. If you have any questions about hiking the Highline Trail or if you want to share your experience, comment below! Cheers, Julie. Scott and I chose to go to the left, which gave us a clear view of Grinnell Glacier and the lake down below. It’s also possible to see black bear or grizzly bear. The chalet is not much farther but the views don’t change at all. If you’re curious about our camera gear, read our blog here. Not to mention, the trail is a long one! Icebreaker 260 Zone Half-Zip Base Layer Top – Women’s, Patagonia Lightweight Better Sweater Marsupial Pullover – Women’s, Patagonia Nano Puff Insulated Jacket – Men’s, Patagonia Micro D Snap-T Fleece Pullover – Men’s, Icebreaker Sphere SS Low Crewe Shirt – Women’s, Beyond Yoga Spacedye Caught in the Midi High-Waisted 7/8 Leggings – Women’s, Patagonia Barely Baggies Shorts – Women’s, tasc Performance Carrollton T-Shirt – Men’s, Columbia Silver Ridge Lite Plaid Long-Sleeve Shirt – Men’s, KEEN Targhee III Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot – Women’s, Smartwool Hike Ultra Light Mini Sock – Women’s, La Sportiva Pyramid GTX Hiking Boots – Men’s, Darn Tough Micro Crew Cushion Hiking Socks – Men’s, Black Diamond Trail Trekking Poles – Pair – Women’s, Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles – Pair. For this reason, protect your feet with some good hiking boots! Length of Time: 5 to 7 hours The detour to Grinnell Glacier Overlook is the trail to the left. Your email address will not be published. Once it was a good thirty feet away from the trail, Kara and I continued on our way. While I don’t enjoy hiking mid-day because the light can be harsh, the Grinnell Glacier Overlook Trail is very long, and you want to make sure you’re back to your car before dark! You can park at either Logan Pass or the Loop. However, the first shuttle does not arrive at the Loop until 8:47 am, so you will have to wait quite some time to get to Logan Pass. You always need to be alert for bear. Check the status here. This trailhead is marked on the highway before you get to the "Loop." Started at the hairpin, veered off for the Grinnell overlook, then kept following the Highline to Logan pass. If you’re soft on the knees,I highly recommend you snag yourself some, Bear spray is a MUST on Grinnell Glacier Overlook Trail!As with all hikes in Glacier National Park, you need to be bear aware during your visit. Hello! Three miles past Logan Pass, you will come to Haystack Pass. Heading to Glacier end of August/early September this year. The path to get to Grinnell Glacier Overlook is a grueling half a mile (ish) that will have you gain about 1000 feet in elevation. Please note that all of the gear I am recommending comes from personal experience with the items! You will need water!I recommend bringing a. According to various resources, the Grinnell Glacier Overlook hike is considered difficult. Post Summary: Why Grinnell Glacier Overlook in Glacier National Park needs to be on your bucket list and what to expect. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, etc. I love my, I recently traded my old raggedy hiking pack for an, Trekking Poles. Work with me here. However, we did hike Grinnell Glacier and it was awesome. Reaching the top of the Garden Wall Trail, you are gifted an awe-inspiring view of Grinnell Glacier, Salamander Glacier, and Upper Grinnell Lake far below. There is a sign here marking the trail. This is home to some fantastic trailheads like the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail. You finished the hike – woohoo! 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. It’s much safer to use your own voice. How To Gain More Instagram Followers - This post is a transcript taken from my podcast: Clout Check! When the sun is blasting on me, I rely on a hat to keep me shaded. From the very start of the hike, you’ll be able to tell you’re somewhere special. Think I will stick with our plan , Your email address will not be published. You will need water!I recommend bringing a Hydroflask for your hike! Even at this relatively early hour, there were only a handful of parking spaces still available. After a few miles, the trail will climb up a few switchbacks, getting you closer to the overlook. 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