Red Tape: There are two ways to get to this trail. But that's all you need for lake, glacier and waterfall views. Snow was still on the trail towards the end. You'll get to hike most of the Highline Trail in cool temps and watch the … more. There are two ways to get to this trail. The trail is pretty minimal at times (have to climb on rocks). Half-Day Glacier National Park Whitewater... Half Day Glacier National Park Scenic Float. Incredible views! Length 11.4 mi Elevation gain 3,710 ft Route type Out & Back Made my wife hike from the start, no "cheating" on the boat, however next time we will. It is approximately 1.6 miles to reach Grinnell Glacier Overlook. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your It's a detour that should not be skipped! Perhaps the ideal hike would be to leave from Logan Pass on the High Line trail. The glacier spills into Grinnell Lake and a string of lakes to the northeast in … Grinnell Glacier Overlook (1.4 miles) Hike a well traveled steep trail to view glaciers along the continental divide. We took our time and it took about 5.5 hours up and back. 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 head. The Grinnell Glacier Overlook trail can also be approached from Logan Pass via the Highline Trail which includes about 7 miles on easy trail and significantly less elevation change. This is where the Grinnell Glacier Overlook side trail shoots off. This trailhead is marked on the highway before you get to the "Loop." This is a strenuous hike but completely worth it for the views! This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. 1.2 miles Flying over Glacier National Park in a small airplane is an epic way to see the beautiful scenery of this National Park. The view from Glacier Overlook justifies the effort. The trail is incredibly steep, gaining 900 feet, and is very exposed so you’ll need to take your time. He casually stayed with us, and another couple, and eventually went off to the lakeshore. 2. For our second day at Glacier we hiked one of our US bucket list hikes: The Highline Trail to Grinnell Glacier Overlook! 3. I am not an athlete, but I really enjoyed this hike.  - Out-and-Back Trail. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. The spur trail up the Garden Wall trail to the glacier overlook is strenuous, but well worth the effort. There was a sign posted for dangerous snowfields but quite a people were crossing it anyways so I decided to hike it as well. Note: Parts and all of this trail can be closed due to Grizzly bear activity during the summer months. Haystack Pass via Highline Trail… After hiking Swiftcurrent summit we came back to chalet and then took the Highline Trail towards Logan's Pass along the popular Garden Wall. Grinnell Glacier. When we woke up the second time the clouds hard parted and the sun came out. A climbers trail from above the Weeping Wall near Haystack Butte can also be used to approach which further reduces the distance to about 4.5 miles. Overview Often referred to as the Highline 'Loop', this end-to-end route runs somewhat parallel to the Going-to-the-Sun Road but at a higher elevation. Please exercise caution and visit the park page before planning your trip. This trail has it all. First let me say that Glacier National Park is my favorite in all of the US! Busy and crowded on the boat. For the Tribune. If you take the boat across both lakes you shave off a little time/miles plus get great views and a history of the region. If you’re looking for one moderate hike to do in Glacier National Park, I don’t think you can go wrong with Grinnell Glacier Overlook from the Highline Trail.. Mileage (one-way): 5 miles if done from The Loop. The route is rou... Backpack from Glacier NP to Waterton Lakes NP. 😉 Grinnell Glacier Overlook Not very many people know about this trail, and it’s a real gem! You will need to have two cars or make use of the shuttles in order to do this hike. The views of Grinnell Lake are stunning. The Many Glacier Campground is located on the east side of Glacier National Park, at an elevation of approximately 4,500 feet. Saw some big horn sheep and mountain goats up close and seeing where the lake water comes from was so cool. If you decide to extend your Highline Trail experience and hike the Grinnell Glacier Overlook spur trail, factor in at least an extra hour. See park web site for map with latest area closure. If you Google this trail, as I did before doing the Highline, you will see that everyone says that the Overlook side trail is … First let me say that Glacier National Park is my favorite in all of the US! Preferred route: Start the Highline Trail at Logan Pass. Time:... Bike up the road towards Logan Pass. There are waterfalls, beautiful views and wildlife all along the route. So far, this was a pretty fabulous walk in the park – literally. Moderate, 7.2 miles. The views throughout the hike but especially for the last 2 miles are breath taking.At one point you see Swift current, Josephine and lower grinnell lake and you will realize how far you have hiked. Map of the Highline Trail. Alternate route: You can instead start at The Loop (shuttle stop), hike up to the Granite Park Chalet, and then hike an additional 0.8 miles to the beginning of the overlook trail for a total of 6.8 miles. To get to the Grinnell Glacier Overlook you have two options. Hallie Thompson. Grinnell Glacier is typically accessed by hiking round trip from the Many Glacier area. If we had to do this hike all over again We’d take the Highline Trail start from Logan Pass Visitor Center instead of The … This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. If you haven't even been to the park before, it is a great way to see it for the first time, which was the case for me.  Have you done this adventure? The Grinnell Glacier Overlook is a very special place that is thousands of feet above the Grinnell Glacier in Glacier National Park. One word for this hike - stunning! 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). Highline Trail Visitor hiking along the famous Highline Trail Cliff in Glacier National Park. Travel to Ahern Pass (5 miles) Head north and follow the continental divide to Ahern Pass, a quiet trail where spectacular views await you. The word 'loop' denotes its usual endpoint at Loop Trailhead. Projected initial clearing date: 7/30/2020 per 658 The hike does have some strenuous parts, but overall definitely worth the effort. Make sure to stay alert for traffic coming up and down the road. 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). We are both runners with many half marathons and marathons (albeit now very fast) under our belts. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Using binoculars, you can see hikers taking a break at the top of the Grinnell Glacier hike. The hike is a steady climb and only goes about 2 miles up now due to snow. Day 2: Granite Park to Grinnell Glacier Overlook and Back, then Granite Park to Many Glacier via Swiftcurrent Pass Trail. I hiked it on July 4th and there was still a lot of snow for the last 1.5 miles. Hiking the Highline Trail in Glacier National Park, from Logan Pass to Haystack Pass, is an alpine lover's dream. After your first mile or so there is a marker indicating the trail and the remaining.6 miles you have left to hike. T Because the Highline Trail was still closed (4th of July weekend), I chose the first route from the Loop. I recommend getting to the Logan Pass parking lot early, between 6-7am. adventures and follow local regulations. “Grinnell Glacier via Highline Trail ... We hiked the 1 mile Grinnel overlook trail off of the highline trail. As of 4th of July upper grinnell lake was still frozen so if you are hoping to see the lake with icebergs floating in it then you will have to wait for another 2 weeks at least. To avoid the frequently full parking area at Logan Pass, you may want to consider taking the free shuttle up to the pass. The hiking trail is in blue and Going-to-the-Sun Road is white. I hope to take Mike on some longer hikes the next time we go without children. The end at Grinnell Lake has a view that is comparable to Avalanche Lake, but the trail is much prettier and more enjoyable. The climb to the summit of Mount Gould begins at the "Big Bend" on the Going-to-the-Sun Highway in Glacier National Park. Rate this Adventure This hike provides a splendid view of Grinnell Glacier and is a must!! Then go down Granite Pass to the Loop parking lot, and then shuttle/hitch hike/drive (buddy system with someone else who a second car). August 18, 2019 at 4:28 am. It goes along the shore of Swiftcurrent lake and Josephine, then on to Grinnell. Explore both sides of the notch as they'll each offer different views. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. On my way back I had great company of a family from Spain and we did see a grizzly in the bushes almost at the end of the hike. The hike to the overlook is STEEP, gaining 1,000 feet in 0.6 miles, but it's well worth it as the views from the top are phenomenal. Go PRO to support our mission and get benefits like gear deals, no ads, and more! DIFFICULT 12.6 mi. From beginning to end, the trail offers views of Glacier National Park's landscape that … There is no category for this particular hike and since I didn't not see many reviews on it I'm adding this one! The trail is primarily used for hiking and is best used from June until October. Grinnell Glacier Overlook adds spice to Highline Trail hike. My husband, 8 yr old daughter and I are all fit people and this ascent was hard and even a little scary at times. Please explore responsibly! After hiking Swiftcurrent summit we came back to chalet and then took the Highline Trail towards Logan's Pass along the popular Garden Wall. The Highline Trail in Glacier National Park begins at Logan Pass on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, and follows the west side of the Continental Divide northward for over 30 miles, and eventually ends in Canada! There are trails on both sides of the lakes, but the one closest to the Swiftcurrent Lodge is the prettiest.This hike has boardwalks over marshes and a swinging bridge. : Saint Mary Falls and Virginia Falls This 3-mile hike … Make advance reservations if possible. The Highline Trail is one of the main arteries that gives backpackers access to the … The path is VERY narrow in parts. 1 mi (1.6 km) Elevation gain: 700 ft (213 m) Trailhead: Apikuni parking area, 1.1 … 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. Geographically, it follows along the western side of the Continental Divide. Hike the Highline Trail, Glacier National Park Starting at the top of Logan Pass at the visitor's center, walk across the street to the well marked Highline Loop Trailhead. There is not a category for this trail - so I am putting it here. Glacier Overlook peers eastward on to the ice fields and melted pools of Grinnell Glacier. This hike provides a splendid view of Grinnell Glacier and is a must!! Hiking Great! Park at the Big Bend, and begin climbing on the climbers trail that leaves from the East side of the road. We plan to park at Logans Pass NLT than 7:00 a.m. hike to Highline to Grinnell Glacier Overlook. But at the 7-mile point, that changed. 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. How to Hike the Highline Trail Recommended experiences in and around Glacier National Park. This hike was by far the best of our trip to Glacier. After your first mile or so there is a marker indicating the trail and the remaining .6 miles you have left to hike. A forward facing light is also recommended to s... Day 1: This gorgeous backpacking adventure begins at the Packer's Roost trailhead, which is almost halfway between West and East Glacier on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. You can also see Grinnell Glacier by taking the spur trail on the Highline Trail (this starts at Logan Pass so you can get here via the west entrance) but I am not aware of a way that you can hike to Grinnell Glacier from here. 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. Stunning views! This trail goes by Granite Park Chalet. 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). Go to Road Information for road conditions, road repairs and delay schedules as well as estimated opening information. 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. It's a detour that should not be skipped! Grinnell Glacier Trail From Josephine Lake to Glacier Overlook/ 3.7 mi. Sheer cliff faces add more drama as … We hiked the full trail after the 4th of July, and were accompanied by a juvenile moose for about a half a mile while we were near Josephine Lake. Half Day Glacier National Park Whitewater... Full Day Glacier National Park Whitewater... Glacier National Park Pet Friendly Campgrounds, Glacier National Park Hotels with Kitchenette, Hotels near (FCA) Glacier National Park Airport, All things to do in Glacier National Park, Geologic Formations in Glacier National Park, Nature & Wildlife Areas in Glacier National Park, Outdoor Activities in Glacier National Park, Cross-country Ski Areas in Glacier National Park, Kayaking & Canoeing in Glacier National Park, River Rafting & Tubing in Glacier National Park, Nature & Wildlife Tours in Glacier National Park, Other Outdoor Activities in Glacier National Park, Stand-Up Paddleboarding in Glacier National Park, Sights & Landmarks in Glacier National Park, Historic Walking Areas in Glacier National Park, Points of Interest & Landmarks in Glacier National Park, Sightseeing Tours in Glacier National Park, Boat Tours & Water Sports in Glacier National Park, Traveler Resources in Glacier National Park, Classes & Workshops in Glacier National Park, Lessons & Workshops in Glacier National Park, Going-to-the-Sun Road: Tickets & Tours‎, Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park: Tickets & Tours‎. © 2020 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. Starting at the Loop we hiked 4.2 miles in approximately 2 hours (with stops along the way for photos) and reached Granite Park Chalet. Once you reach the top, congrats! 2 Replies to “Granite Park Chalet via Highline Trail, Grinnell Glacier Overlook, and Swiftcurrent Lookout” Ashley Knoef says: Reply. Helmets and flashing red, rear lights are required when biking at night in Glacier National Park. Pretty much everyone had to stop and take breathers. I’m so glad Glacier is shaping up to be all I had promised! Be careful. Definitely worth the time. We were carrying bear spray so we felt safe but in any case the bear wasn't too interested in us! : Johns Lake Loop This 2-mile loop visits a small lake in a mossy fores and then follows McDonald Creek past McDonald Falls to return to the trailhead. Return the way you came, and remember to practice Leave No Trace principles. It is approximately 1.6 miles to reach Grinnell Glacier Overlook. Be the first to leave a review! 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). This is a moderate one way trail to Grinnell Glacier Overlook in Glacier National Park. CLOSED as part of general east side closure due to pandemic. This route is much steeper though, and you'll want to save your energy for the overlook trail itself. About 8 miles if done from the Highline Trail. Highline Trail to Grinnell Overlook 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 … The hike to Grinnell Glacier is a very challenging hike, but the hike to the lake is not. If you find yourself in Glacier National Park on the Highline Trail, a magnificent hike on its own, you should definitely push yourself to hike the extra 0.6 miles up to the Grinnell Glacier Overlook. Hike 6.8 miles on a pleasantly gradual trail to get to the overlook trail. If you find yourself in Glacier National Park on the Highline Trail, a magnificent hike on its own, you should definitely push yourself to hike the extra 0.6 miles up to the Grinnell Glacier Overlook. The highest Lookout in Glacier, with an unrestricted 360 view. The largest glacier in the park, waterfalls, valleys, 3 gorgeous turquoise lakes and one frozen lake, wildlife. We are doing several shorter hikes but would like to see the Grinnell Glacier Overlook. July 2018 Third hike in three days. Overview Trail Description: 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. DIFFICULT 10.5 mi. 1000 ft gain 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. Highline Trail Hike in Glacier National Park Grinnell & Salamander Glaciers overlook trail also. Apikuni Falls. Take your time and drink plenty of water as this part of the trail is entirely exposed, like much of the Highline Trail. We're committed to building a better, more inclusive home for the modern outdoors. The Grinnell Glacier Overlook is also accessible from Logan Pass via The Highline Trail but it is nearly 7 miles on relatively easy miles. You may even spot a mountain goat or two hanging out at the overlook. Do the Grinnell Glacier overlook prior to making your way to the Chalet. The plan the following morning was to hike up the spur trail early am for sunrise, but when the alarm went off at 5:30 it was still raining. It is unlike anything previously seen on Highline Trail. Bring rain gear as the weather can be unpredictable ad we got caught in some rain. Garden Wall Trail to Glacier Overlook This extension off Highline Trail climbs a thousand feet in a mile to extraordinary views over Grinnell Glacier and a trio of subalpine lakes. On extra clear days, you can even see Many Glacier Hotel. Preferred route: Start the Highline Trail at Logan Pass. As you reach the end of the spur trail, enjoy the commanding views of Lake McDonald in the distance. This trail takes you to the Continental Divide. Granite Park Chalet via Highline Trail and Granite Park.