grinnell glacier overlook from the loop

Started at the hairpin, veered off for the Grinnell overlook, then kept following the Highline to Logan pass. Scott and I hiked Grinnell Glacier Overlook mid-day. A black bear crossed the trail in front of us (keep reading to learn more) and several other hikers told us that they spotted a grizzly bear. 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. It's a qui... 25 miles Hike to Grinnell Glacier Overlook via Highline Trail. 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 pit toilets but no water. For this reason, protect your feet with some good hiking boots! From there, the Loop Trail is used to access the “Loop”, which is a hairpin turn on the Going to the Sun Road and where a small parking lot is located. After a few miles, the trail will climb up a few switchbacks, getting you closer to the overlook. It is a steep .6 miles up the trail to the overlook. Were shuttles open? To get a parking spot, you will need to arrive early (before 7:30 am). Take advantage of the free park shuttle to get back to your car. Hello, just dropping a thank you for the immensely helpful information you share on this site. 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. I hope you enjoy some of the best Glacier National Park hikes and maybe find a few trails you love dearly. The vegetation in Glacier National Park is very fragile and can take hundreds of years to grow back if you trample all over it. Mileage (one-way): 5 miles if done from The Loop. The 10 Best Hikes In Glacier National Park, Your email address will not be published. If you’re curious about our camera gear, read our blog here. Map of the Highline Trail. Like you, we did not want to do 3 big hikes, so we are saving Iceberg for a future visit. Have fun in Glacier! Check the status here. Not very many people know about this trail, and it’s a real gem! 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. This first mile is one of the best parts of Highline Trail. The trail to Haystack Pass, which is off in distance. Scott and I packed peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for our hike. 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. And they are not afraid of humans. You can still get a tan when you wear sunscreen, but you can avoid unhealthy rays. On Google Maps, it is labeled “Grinnell Glacier Trailhead.” There is a small parking lot here. With only 800 feet of elevation gain over 12 miles, this hike is relatively flat and fast. Looking for an epic adventure that will take you through and around the most significant peaks in Glacier National Park? Grinnell Glacier Overlook The Grinnell Glacier Overlook is a very special place that is thousands of feet above the Grinnell Glacier in Glacier National Park.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. If you have a fear of heights, this first section could be very challenging. The views will be so worth it when you get to the top. 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. It’s much safer to use your own voice. According to online resources, the climb here is about 275ft. Hike 6.8 miles on a pleasantly gradual trail to get to the overlook trail. August 24,2019 Our longest day hike yet! I love my Keen Targhees. Some people hike just the first few miles for the views over Going-to-the-Sun Road, which will create two-way traffic on the first cliff section of the hike. The trail occasionally closes due to grizzly bear activity. Check out Grinnell Glacier Overlook. Read all of our articles in our United States Destination Guide. Once you have shuttled or hitchhiked your way up Going To The Sun Road, you will want to jump off at the Logan Pass Visitors Center. Granite Park Chalet is a national historic landmark. This part of the hike is monotonous and on a sunny day, it can feel very warm. Cheers, Julie, Thanks! I hope you have a great time in your upcoming trip!! Even at this relatively early hour, there were only a handful of parking spaces still available. This is the biggest climb of the day, unless you take the detour to the Grinnell Glacier overlook. You can stay at the chalet for a different kind of Glacier National Park getaway. We did not back up because I did not want to lose sight of it. A good pair of trekking poles will do you WONDERS when you’re climbing down that steep half-mile path from the overlook trust me. If you’re soft on the knees,I highly recommend you snag yourself some trekking poles! The shuttles are small and they leave two available seats for people getting on at the Loop. The line can be long so expect to wait for a spot on the shuttle. 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. After taking photos, you will hike down the Grinnell Glacier Overlook path, take a right and make your way to the Granite Chalet. But don’t let the steepness stop you! However, we did hike Grinnell Glacier and it was awesome. About 8 … 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. You’ll reach the chalet after hiking 0.7 miles past the junction leading to the Grinnell Glacier Overlook. Since we finished earlier than the main crowd, we did not have to wait in line for the shuttle to Logan Pass. Scott and I relied on our 16-35mm lens, but an excellent 24-70mm can work as well. If you return to Logan Pass on the trail, you don’t have to worry about waiting for the shuttle (it can be a very long wait, depending on your timing). Take as many breaks as you need! I’ve really enjoyed your site as you have inspired our family to take some adventures over the past couple of years. I don’t think you’ll go wrong either way. Elevation Gain: 800 feet This trailhead is marked on the highway before you get to the "Loop." Thanks! Your email address will not be published. I recommend turning around at or before you reach Glacier Park Chalet. Okay, now that you know what we did, let’s dive into Option #2 a bit more. This detour adds 1.6 miles (round trip) onto the hike with 900 feet of elevation gain. Also, just in case it is very busy, plan on getting to the Logan Pass parking lot very early in the morning. You’ll pass small waterfalls along the way. You are now on the Granite Park Trail, better known as The Loop. Keep your eyes peeled for grizzly bears. From the overlook, you will get an excellent view of the retreating Grinnell Glacier, Upper Grinnell Lake (complete with floating icebergs) and Mount Gould which rises to an elevation of 9551 feet. Take your pick from 50 of the world's best travel adventures. You’re going to want to have it handy to take photos while you hike! Granite Park Chalet to Grinnell Glacier Overlook via Highline Trail - 6,650ft to 7520ft. At this point, there was about 30 feet between us and the black bear. For more bear safety tips, you can read this article here. There is a sign here marking the trail. Before starting your hike, drive along Going To The Sun Road and park your car at The Loop. Grinnell stands tall between two incredible drainages in the Many Glacier area of Glacier National Park. We did not do this, since the day before we hiked to Grinnell Glacier from Many Glacier. After waiting about 30 seconds, the bear moved further into the brush. While the trail starting from Logan Pass is fairly flat, there are a few steep sections. The Loop Trail is 3.8 miles in length and has a vertical gain (from the Going to the Sun Road up to the Granite Park Chalet) of a little over 2000 feet. In some spots, the trail is only 4 to 6 feet wide. There is not much shade along the trail, and it is LONG. IMPORTANT: The trail can close due to grizzly bear activity in the area. From the Visitors Center, you will walk across the road and hop on the Highline Trail. Why? How To Gain More Instagram Followers - This post is a transcript taken from my podcast: Clout Check! From this spot in the trail, you’ll be able to see Granite Park Chalet and the end to the uphill in your day. 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). I also found that the chalet area was quite photogenic as it has 360 views of Glacier National Park’s most magnificent peaks! Once parked, you will walk down the steps at The Loop and wait for the eastbound shuttle bus. The Grinnell Glacier Overlook Remember, this is grizzly and black bear country. After relaxing at the chalet, it’s time to hike downhill and back to The Loop. From here, it is an overall downhill walk to the Loop. You could just go to the Fork. Below are my absolute favorite layering pieces. 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. There are two ways to get to this trail. For the best images, bring a wide lens with you! Lightweight Better Sweater Marsupial Pullover – Women’s, Spacedye Caught in the Midi High-Waisted 7/8 Leggings – Women’s. Once at the viewpoint, you will be standing on the Continental Divide with panoramic views of Glacier National Park. The Grinnell Glacier Overlook . This eventually results in the unnecessary death of wildlife. If you are traveling to Glacier National Park in June, September, or October, check the status of Going-to-the-Sun Road here. 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. This section of the Highline Trail has the most exposure, so if you can do this, you should be fine on the remainder of the hike. It’s also possible to see black bear or grizzly bear. The views across Glacier National Park are spectacular. The Granite Chalet is a historic chalet built back in the early 1900s to provide accommodations in Glacier National Park. Carved out from the cliffs that tower over Going-to-the-Sun road is a narrow path. Just before arriving at Granite Park Chalet you have the option to take the detour to the Grinnell Glacier Overlook. Views the entire way but lots of foot traffic on and past the overlook turn off. Cheers, Julie. Coupon Code: GEARUP2019. 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. We finally made it to Glacier National Park in August 2020 and at the top of our list was to hike the Highline Trail. 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. Detour to Grinnell Glacier. But Kara and I hike fast, so within a few miles, we passed many of the hikers and were almost on our own. This is where the Grinnell Glacier Overlook side trail shoots off. SO, there are a couple of trailhead options here. You always need to be alert for bear. It’s smooth sailing from there, tho the short but STEEP trek up to the overlook is a bit of a bear. So far, this was a pretty fabulous walk in the park – literally. Unfortunately the shuttles will not be running and the east entrances are going to be closed for the remainder of the year. With fields of colorful wildflowers, it’s easy to see how it gets this name. Just before arriving at Granite Park Chalet you have the option to take the detour to the Grinnell Glacier Overlook. Highline trail to the Grinnell glacier overlook. Grinnell Glacier Overlook Continued with Option #2 Grinnell Glacier Overlook Fast Facts. It’s also possible to see black bear or grizzly bear. I’ll be honest, though, I didn’t feel like going uphill anymore, so I stayed down below. We weren’t lucky enough to spot any mountain goats or Bighorn sheep, but several deer made an appearance during our hike. A good polarizer will help you take better photos! You will still get the amazing views and it’s well worth it, even if you can’t do the entire thing. Planning a trip through the United States? According to various resources, the Grinnell Glacier Overlook hike is considered difficult. If you don’t know what shuttle that is, ask! And it sucks. Thanks! Overall, it will be a longer hike, but you get to enjoy the spectacular views the entire time. Twelve miles may sound like a long way to hike, but these miles tick by fast. The view of Grinnell Glacier from the viewpoint on the Many Glacier trail. Get updates on trail closures here. There are about 8 to 10 parking spaces at The Loop, so you will want to get there early. Disclaimer: This blog contains affiliate links which means I earn a small percentage of every purchase at no cost to you. You KNOW I love me some tasty snacks. It doesn’t take long until you leave the shade of the trees and enter what remains of an old forest fire. The Highline Trail is a point-to-point hike. Cheers, Julie. A panorama of … Feeding wildlife in Glacier National Park is extremely dangerous as they can get accustomed to humans and attack for food. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. For this reason, protect your feet with some good hiking boots! We have some shorter hikes planned as well but thought that 3 full day hikes would be a bit much, We have not hiked Iceberg Lake but I hear it’s beautiful and it’s a favorite of many of the locals here. To get to the trailhead from the Logan Pass parking lot, cross Going-to-the-Sun Road. Other than the bear encounter, it was a monotonous hike from the Granite Park Chalet to the Loop. This hike can be done in either direction. This hike can be done in either direction. For the last couple of years, I’ve been relying on GoMacro bars while I’m out on the trail. Once it was a good thirty feet away from the trail, Kara and I continued on our way. When you do this hike, turn around at the Glacier Park Chalet. The Grinnell Glacier Overlook from Highline Trail 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. We arrived here at 9am. 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 :). This wait can be as long as one hour during peak times (midday to early afternoon). *FYI, we entered the park from the west entrance of Glacier National Park. Please note that all of the gear I am recommending comes from personal experience with the items! I’m glad we keep coming up in your internet searches. You will see the trail to the overlook (and an obvious sign) off to your right about 6.6 miles from the Logan Pass parking lot. I’m going to help you with all your glacier dream – tehehe. More Information about Glacier National Park: Planning a trip through the United States? And oh my god, when you start to hike up to the overlook, your legs might hate you. Top Ten Things to do in Glacier National Park, How Many Days Do You Need in Glacier National Park: A Complete Itinerary, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, & Glacier National Parks: Road Trip Itinerary, 20 Short, Fun Hikes in the National Parks, How to Hike the Enchantments in One Day: A Step-By-Step Trail Guide, Yosemite for First-Timers: Best Hikes, Best Views & the Best Things to Do, Angels Landing Survival Guide: Things to Know Before You Go, How to Hike to Grinnell Glacier in Glacier National Park, 10 Best Things to do in Glacier National Park. To avoid the frequently full parking area at Logan Pass, you may want to consider taking the free shuttle up to the pass. To get back to Logan Pass, get in the line for the eastbound shuttle. While some folks might be flocking to the mountains this year,... I’m a freelance adventure photographer and blogger who lives in a van. The switchbacks lead up Haystack Pass – it is so scenic! You most likely will not be the only one looking for a ride. The views are spectacular and we got to see bear and mountain goats up close. When the sun is blasting on me, I rely on a hat to keep me shaded. When we did this, the parking lot was almost completely filled by 7:45 am. However, you can turn around whenever you like. If you are lucky, you can spot deer, mountain goats, and Bighorn sheep. The highest Lookout in Glacier, with an unrestricted 360 view. 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. As we came around a bend, I saw a black bear on the trail in front of us. Scott and I chose to go to the left, which gave us a clear view of Grinnell Glacier and the lake down below. Since you mentioned that the Skyline Trail was relatively unimpressive and steep from the Chalet down to the Loop, would you recommend going as far as the Chalet or the Grinnel Glacier Fork and then return back to Logan Pass? The Grinnell Glacier Overlook trail will bring you above one of Glacier National Park’s most prominent glacier formations. Although it’s a very steep final mile on an otherwise pretty gentle trail, the viewpoint at the end was worth it. I share tips and tricks for adventurers, creating better content, and scoring brand deals! 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. For almost 12 miles, this trail takes hikers high above Going-to-the-Sun Road, with stunning views of the park and a chance to see glaciers, alpine wildflowers, and wildlife. It’s a beautiful hike and it’s not too strenuous. This part of the hike is a steep downhill walk in and out of a forest. 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For the next several miles, the trail weaves in and out of small forests, through fields of wildflowers, and across scree slopes. I wonder how crowded Glacier will be this year…if the park closures and Covid will keep traffic down? The view from Glacier Overlook justifies the effort. As a matter of fact, our shuttle bus told us that nearly one hundred people were waiting at the bottom near Alavanche for the buses, and while The Loop is popular too, each shuttle bus only reserves two spots for Loop passengers! From the Granite Park Chalet, it is a 4-mile hike to get to the Loop. We came to a stop, I kept talking, calmly voicing my thoughts to Kara, so the bear could hear us and so that Kara knew what I was thinking. It was at this part of the hike where Kara and I encountered a lone black bear on the trail. I love my, I recently traded my old raggedy hiking pack for an, Trekking Poles. 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. We’re still thinking about hiking the Highline Trail but as an out-and-back from Logan Pass. Also please note that the trail will most likely be crowded since it is connected to the Highline Trail. The eastbound shuttle stop is on the left hand side of the road. Hike 6.8 miles on a pleasantly gradual trail to get to the overlook trail. Scott and I didn’t have time for a whole ton of hiking while we were in Glacier National Park, so rather than do a bunch of short hikes, we decided to do a really long on instead HAHA. The hiking trail is in blue and Going-to-the-Sun Road is white. Later in the hike there is a brief cliff section very similar to this, but it does have quite the same dramatic drop-off to the road below. Grinnell Glacier Overlook. 1 mi (1.6 km) Elevation gain: 700 ft (213 m) Trailhead: Apikuni parking area, 1.1 miles … Three miles past Logan Pass, you will come to Haystack Pass. The Grinnell Glacier Overlook Trail can be extremely rocky. Getting there is enough for most people but this is where the off trail route begins. I mean, mine did! Post Summary: Why Grinnell Glacier Overlook in Glacier National Park needs to be on your bucket list and what to expect. There is not much shade along the trail, and it is LONG. Grinnell Glacier Overlook. As you walk, you might even spot a bighorn sheep or two walking along the grass. Required fields are marked *. Both of these bear sightings were between Granite Park Chalet and the Loop. Make sure you turn around! If you want to hike a trail with unbeatable alpine views without having to hike up a massive mountain, you won’t find a better hike than the Highline Trail. Looking back at Logan Pass from the Highline Trail. 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. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Save on pre-loved gear at REI.com. 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! Length 11.4 mi Elevation gain 3,710 ft Route type Out & Back All rights reserved © Earth Trekkers. On the left side is a drop-off to Going-to-the-Sun Road. Here is what to expect for your hike to Grinnell Glacier Overlook. During your visit, please refrain from walking off-trail into the meadows and picking wildflowers – leave the park better than you found it! You can still do this hike out-and-back from Logan Pass. Important Update for 2020: The park shuttle is not operating in 2020. Our website uses cookies. From the very start of the hike, you’ll be able to tell you’re somewhere special. This hike requires a bit of planning on your part, so get ready to listen (or read) carefully! 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). All the fantastic peaks that are in your view as you drive up Going To The Sun Road are now eye level with you, and it’s spectacular. Yes, Kara really has grown up fast. Doing so can prompt them to attack humans for food in the future. The Grinnell Glacier Overlook is located about a mile before you reach the Granite Park Chalet. Hitchhike! Cheers, Julie. Carry bear spray and keep a conversation going with fellow hikers in order to alert bear of your presence. Really not bad, once you get up to the chalet. 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. The Highline Trail is one of Glacier National Park’s best day hikes. And man, was it worth it! Rooms are $108 for the first person then $80 for each additional person. This option is much longer than the first, but the views are epic, I promise. 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. Apikuni Falls. After hiking the Highline Trail for 6.8 miles, it’s time to hike up to Grinnell Glacier Overlook. Also, eastbound from this area is going uphill, and westbound (taking you out of the park) will be going downhill. There will be mountain views at just about every corner. Trailhead: Logan Pass visitor center, on the Going-to-the-Sun road. Yes, this is an option, and it has several advantages. Written in partnership with REISummer is here! For more information on the hike, you can read my blog about it here. =)) I finally checked this off my Hike bucket list! It will be well worth the effort. It felt great to reach Going-to-the-Sun Road. But at the 7-mile point, that changed. This is home to some fantastic trailheads like the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail. It’s a short, switchback trail to the top of the pass. There is also a little eating area and store in the chalet, so if you want to take a break from hiking, do it here! These hiking stats are for the Highline Trail, starting at Logan Pass and ending at the Loop, without any detours. You only have 4 miles to go! Doing it in this direction makes it a more enjoyable, overall downhill hike. The first the first half of your hike will be gorgeous and pretty flat! And PLEASE do not feed wildlife. After taking a break, get ready to finish your hike! You will need water!I recommend bringing a. Distance: 11.6 miles one-way If you park here, you will hike to the Loop and then take the shuttle back to your car at Logan Pass. Trekking Poles. =) Total Distance = apprx. The shuttle runs every 15 minutes. The trail from the Chalet to The Loop has little to no shade! Not to mention, the trail is a long one! Maybe Iceberg is a little less crowded, but that’s just a guess. This part of the hike is also called the Garden Wall. Work with me here. I am planning on going in a few weeks and wonder if I can do the Highline Trail. Julie Last updated: November 7, 2020 United States 11 Comments. This blog is about a weekend road trip through Arizona that needs to be on your bucket list! I share tips and tricks for adventurers, creating better content, and scoring brand deals! The Highline Trail is a point-to-point hike. There are two ways to get to this trail. If you turn around at Glacier Park Chalet, this becomes almost 16 miles in length. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, etc. If you do not have plans to hike to Grinnell Glacier on a separate day, I recommend adding this detour onto your day. The drive takes about 15 minutes to get to Logan Pass, so the earliest you will start the hike will be just after 9 am. The glacier spills into Grinnell Lake and a string of lakes to the … 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. 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. 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. Happy hiking! This makes a great place to take a break and have lunch. To get to the Grinnell Glacier Overlook you have two options. Start at Logan Pass and turn around whenever you are ready, but I so no need to go past the Glacier Park Chalet. The chalet is not much farther but the views don’t change at all. I recommend you stop when you can to take some pictures from the top of Haystack Pass! You can park at either Logan Pass or the Loop. Any foreseeable problems with that? Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. 10 Steps I Used To Gain 100k+ Instagram Followers In 12 Months, Weekender’s Arizona Road Trip From Phoenix, Zion National Park Guide: Read This Before You Go. Elevation Loss: 3000 feet If it were me, I’d try to get to Logan Pass between 7 and 7:30 am. This is a recovering burn area so there are no large trees. The detour to Grinnell Glacier Overlook is the trail to the left. Hello Paul. While not on the Garden Wall, the easiest way to access it is from the Lake McDonald side via the Grinnell Glacier Overlook. 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! Click here to learn more. 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. If you have a large group, hitchhiking will probably be your best option. There are two shuttle stops here: eastbound and westbound. They stood just a few feet from the trail, happily munching away, and didn’t seem to mind how close we were as we passed them. My trip total was 15 miles, and would have been 13 if I’d gone to the loop instead. The Loop has a smaller parking lot that can accommodate roughly 20 cars. YOU’D LIKE: The Best Stops Along Going To The Sun Road. Length of Time: 5 to 7 hours If you have any questions about hiking the Highline Trail or if you want to share your experience, comment below! The shuttle stop is a very short walk from the end of the trail. Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. Scott and I w, Decided to venture allll the way to the bushes in, Currently thinking about sunny days in South Dakot, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), The Best Stops Along Going To The Sun Road, Members take an extra 20% Off One REI Outlet Item. Mt. Kara and I had been keeping up a conversation…we played A LOT of rounds of 20 questions while hiking the Highline trail. PROBARs are a great option too! There's a hiker shuttle bus service that makes this possible. This Brixton hat has been my favorite for the past year. Once at the viewpoint, you will be standing on the Continental Divide with panoramic views of Glacier National Park. That’s all I can say. All photos are edited with my Lightroom Presets, which you can purchase here. And just 3 days after we did this hike, the Highline Trail closed due to increased grizzly bear activity. Shuttle bus because they fill up FAST. About those bear bells: We were told by a park ranger to leave those bear bells at home. Logan Pass will also be the place to take a bathroom break if you need to before starting your hike up to Grinnell Glacier Overlook! This was our second bear encounter in two days in Glacier National Park. We were on our own at this point with no hikers nearby. Grinnell Overlook Your view of Upper Salamander Glacier, Upper Grinnell Lake, and Grinnell Glacier from the overlook. 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. This is one of the biggest decisions of the day. By 8 am, the parking lot is usually full. Although the hike to Grinnell Glacier Overlook is short at 3.2 miles total, the last .6 miles of the hike up is very strenuous after the previous hikes of the day. We did this hike almost exactly one year ago (mid-August). Required fields are marked *. However, there are some picnic benches and tables at the chalet so it does make a nice place to stop and take a break. 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. When the sun is blasting on me, I rely on a hat to keep me shaded. Difficulty: Moderate Pro Travel Tip: Plan on getting to Logan Pass by 7:30 am. 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 … There are no bathrooms or potable water at the Loop. If I have never used a piece of equipment, I recommend a piece that my friends swear buy (I try to make note of this). During our trip, we saw a black bear next to Going-to-the-Sun Road. The Highline Trail starts just across Going-to-the-Sun Road from the parking lot. Check the status of the trail before you go. For more bear safety tips, you can read, Let’s go plastic-free, folks. I have seen a couple of photos from the right side of Grinnell Glacier, and it looks incredible. Max Elevation: 6515 feet Sadly our Norway trip is on hold due to COVID so we have opted to head to Glacier. A year ago I was reading your posts on the parks in Utah and Arizona. Most people start at Logan Pass and end at the Loop. It’s quite beautiful, actually. 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. If you hike to the Grinnell Glacier Overlook, you will be standing on the mountain in the background with a view down to the glacier. 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. It is possible to spend the night here. Well folks, the trail is long and we didn’t feel that it was necessary to hike over 6 miles in the dark back to our cars for sunset. And they’re all downhill! Your email address will not be published. If you hike Grinnell Glacier Overlook on a partially cloudy day, you can still get great pictures! 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. I did the trail as an out and back, adding on the Grinnell Glacier Overlook. Sheer cliff faces add more drama as if more drama were necessary. From the Grinnell Glacier detour, it’s less than one mile of hiking to get to Granite Park Chalet. When did you take this trip? I guess it heard our voices because it ran off the trail and went a few feet into the brush. And congrats! We ended up waiting almost 45 minutes for free space on. Think I will stick with our plan , Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The views are incredible and some of my favorites of the day. You’ll get a bird’s eye view from above Upper Grinnell Lake, Grinnell Glacier and the rest of the Grinnell Valley into the Many Glacier area. If the shuttle is not running, you can do this as an out-and-back hike. We are currently touring the national parks in Colorado and traffic seems lighter than normal. I recommend having your camera handy! While searching for this year’s trip to Glacier (and Yellowstone/Grand Tetons) I came across your site again. Keep your eyes on alert in this area, as the pass and the meadows attract both deer and bears. Glacier Overlook peers eastward on to the ice fields and melted pools of Grinnell Glacier. 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. My favorite part about it is that it’s spacious enough to hold all of my camera gear without making me feel like I have a monkey driving its knuckles in my back. This trail is only about a mile in length, but climbs approximately 800 feet. Travel to Ahern Pass (5 miles) Head north and follow the continental divide to Ahern Pass, a quiet trail where spectacular views await you. Loved this blog post. You will need water!I recommend bringing a Hydroflask for your hike! I recommend wearing a hat and sunscreen during your hike. Once here, the views are amazing and it’s a mostly downhill walk to Granite Park Chalet. 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!

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