Wanderbrush

Glacier National Park – Day One

During our weeklong trip to Glacier National Park, we had our sights set on three major hikes. Grinnell Glacier was the first of these hikes. This hike is arguably one of the most iconic hikes in the park, making it a must do when planning our itinerary.

Mason, myself, and our friends, M & K, arrived to Many Glacier Hotel late Saturday night, and we embarked on the Grinnell Glacier Hike Sunday morning. We were staying at Many Glacier Hotel for the entire week we were in Glacier National Park.

Bright and early Sunday morning, we embarked from the hotel, where we opted for the popular boat shuttle that significantly trims the hiking distance. Without the boat, the full out-and-back route spans approximately 10.6 to 11 miles, with an elevation gain of roughly 2,000 feet—a strenuous but breathtaking climb. However, by taking the Glacier Park Boat Company shuttle across Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine, the distance reduces to about 7.2 miles roundtrip, while maintaining the same elevation gain.

The boat rides across Swiftcurrent and Josephine Lakes were nothing short of breathtaking. Though brief—just under 10–15 minutes each—they offered sweeping panoramas of rugged peaks mirrored in glassy turquoise waters. Gliding through those serene landscapes built a tangible sense of anticipation, culminating in the awe-inspiring glimpse of Grinnell Glacier nestled high in the mountains.

Once we disembarked the boat at Lake Josephine’s head around 9:15am, we began our ascent along a gently rising trail. For the first few miles, the incline felt moderate and manageable. We paced ourselves—pausing at scenic overlooks, breathing in the crisp mountain air, and allowing our eyes to drink in the surrounding beauty.

Gradually, Grinnell Lake revealed itself below, its glacially milky turquoise waters gleaming with the same mesmerizing vibrance found in photos. From that vantage point, flanked by towering ridges and framed by cascading waterfalls, the lake looked surreal and almost too perfect to be real.

Despite the challenge to reach the trail in 2025, there was still a steady stream of hikers as we made our way to the top. There was not a cloud in the sky, so it was no wonder it was a popular trek.

After a couple of hours on the trail, we reached a well-deserved rest stop. This was complete with a sheltered pit toilet and shaded wooden benches. From here, it was less than half a mile to the glacier. As we paused, we caught our breath and soaked in the fleeting shade before tackling the final push: a steep section of rocky switchbacks that demanded slow, deliberate steps. This was the section that every hiker had warned us about.

With every step upward, we murmured reminders of how tantalizingly close the glacier had become. Then, cresting the ridge, the panorama finally opened before us. Right before us there lay the glacier in all its icy grandeur, its glacial waters shimmering with a cool electric-blue glow. The sight was a soothing reward after our steep climb.

We settled onto smooth, sloping rocks beside the water’s edge and refueled, unpacking our sandwiches and snacks. When our friend K pulled out a LifeStraw, we seized the rare chance to sip from the glacial melt. It was an unexpectedly crisp taste, cold enough to feel like liquid ice.

We observed people around us taking a polar plunge into the glacier waters while we admired their grit. We also were able to observe views from the Grinnell Glacier Overlook vantage point from the Highline Trail.

Our group lingered for about an hour. Our lunch in hand and eyes fixed on the surrounding giants. To gaze upon one of Glacier National Park’s remaining glaciers, amidst a landscape that once hosted far more, felt powerfully bittersweet. Only about two dozen named alpine glaciers remain today, a stark reduction from the roughly 80 that existed when the park was established in 1910.

Once we’d snapped our last photos and been thoroughly captivated by the views, we began our descent to catch the return boat to Many Glacier. Though our knees protested the downhill slog, the descent offered a welcome change of rhythm from the earlier climb. We took our time, pausing to take in sweeping views of glacier-carved valleys and crystal alpine lakes reflecting the afternoon sky.

Wildflowers were abundant along the trail. Every step brought bright splashes of lupine, glacier lilies, and beargrass. Wildlife also played a starring role: we had a fortunate but brief encounter with a bighorn sheep grazing nearby, a reminder of the park’s rich biodiversity.

Though we were unusually cautious about wildlife encounters during the descent, it turned out to be uneventful, aside from that single bighorn sighting. Still, two of us carried bear spray for peace of mind. In Glacier National Park, bear spray is not only widely recommended but shown to be the most effective non-lethal deterrent against bear attacks. Our biggest take away from the trip was that carrying bear spray is very worth the price tag, even just for peace of mind.

It took us about two and a half hours to reach Lake Josephine, mainly due to taking many picture breaks and trying to preserve our knees. We arrived back to the boat dock at Lake Josephine around 3:30pm. There was a group of people waiting for the 3:45pm boat, so we got put on a waitlist for the 4:15pm departure boat. This gave us 45 minutes to soak in the views and take a quick polar plunge into the lake. The water was cold, but after a long and challenging hike, this was a nice treat for the end of the day.

We were able to make it on the 4:15pm boat and arrived back to the hotel around 4:45pm. Our group showered, grabbed some drinks, and made our way to the Swiss Lounge for the best part of the day after a long hike – a burger.

Overall, as a novice hiker, I will say Grinnell Glacier was the hardest hike I have ever done. However, I think this hike is doable if you know your limits, are comfortable with rocky terrain, and most importantly, you bring plenty of water. The last part is challenging, but if you go slow and steady, this is a challenging but very achievable hike. The trail provides stunning views in its entirety, so you can always turn around if you reach your limits.

This was a stunning hike that lived well up to all of the hype it receives and it was the perfect way to begin our trip. For anyone visiting Glacier National Park, I think this hike deserves a spot on any itinerary.

2025 Many Glacier Construction

For 2025, simply hiking Grinnell Glacier provided a few more challenges. By staying at Many Glacier Hotel, we had an easier time. However, if you are planning to hike this iconic trail in the park, you need to be aware of a few things.

The road to Many Glacier is limited to traffic due to 2025 construction. You can only go past the ranger station if you have a reservation at Many Glacier Hotel or a reservation for one of the activities located at the hotel, such as a boat tour or kayak rental. If you do not have one of these, you will need to secure a spot on the hiker shuttle. These are the only ways to access the Many Glacier area for 2025.