The hike to Grinnell Lake in Glacier National Park is spectacular while at the same time can be spectacularly hard in places when you start climbing.
The hike on the Swiftcurrent Lake Trail starts off just to the south of the Many Glacier Lodge and heads to a trail that is really easy and nearly flat as it meanders around the south eastern side of Swiftcurrent Lake though the forest. The views of the lake, when you can see it from the trail, are amazing with views of Grinnell Point.
After about half a mile as the crow flies, we came to a junction where we had to either cross a bridge or head easterly down the Swiftcurrent Cutoff Trail which joined with the South Shore Josephine Lake Trail. We started to head that way, but we quickly discovered it was the trail less taken and not seemingly as developed at the Swiftcurrent Trial. It started to seem kind of isolated as he headed down it, and we decided to head back to the main trail. Something about it didn’t feel right.
We rejoined the main trail (and people) and continued on, and for about another .10 miles we hiked near the shore of Swiftcurrent Lake before heading into the forest where we came to another junction. We went southerly and got on the North Shore Josephine Lake Trail, and this is where the climbing would begin and head toward Upper Grinnell Lake. This was our original goal.
We hiked around a mile looking down at Josephine Lake, which was really pretty with the forest on the other side of the lake and Grinnell Lake Trail westerly in the distance as we climbed up, but it wasn’t bad. After we reached the end of the lake, the trail started to climb. We hiked another half a mile before we decided it got to be too much for us after stopping here and there for a break to rest. We got to a point where we could see Grinnell Lake several hundred feet below us, but it looked further, and we could see Grinnell Glacier in the distance. For us the views were enough, while others soldiered on around us.
What we decided to do was go back down half a mile and take another trail, the Josephine Walk, to the Grinnell Lake Trail and go to Grinnell Lake. The Josephine Walk is something you want to go the way we did and go down it. The climb up it could be quite the workout with its steep grades.
The hike to Grinnell Lake was about a mile from the Josephine Walk cutoff, and it was through massive growths of huckleberry bushes on both sides of the trail going back into the forest. Many hikers were on the trail coming and going from Grinnell Lake.
At about .8 miles to the lake we came across a plank suspension bridge that crossed a creek. It was a single person bridge, and a line formed as hikers from both sides took turns crossing it. The bridge was fun to cross as it bounced up and down under us as we walked across it holding on to the ropes on the sides as we crossed.
Grinnell Lake was beautiful as it sat in a bowl looking up at where Upper Grinnell Lake was up above with waterfalls running down to the lake. The water was an aquamarine blue and beautiful with the towering mountains behind it. We stayed there for quite awhile before we headed back.
On our way back, we hiked the South Shore Josephine Lake Trail through the forest. It was about 1.33 miles back to the Swiftcurrent Cutoff Trail, and we only saw two other people the entire time. The trail was quiet, and we hiked making a lot of noise and banging our trekking poles together so bears could hear us coming so we would not surprise them. The huckleberry bushes were high, and you could not see around corners where a bear could be in the trail. It was kind of unnerving being out there where grizzly bears were also present.
We made it back to the Swiftcurrent Lake Trail and lollipoped back to the lodge.
While Glacier National Park is a very beautiful park, this hike was the highlight of our visit. It was gorgeous with the lakes and glacier carved mountains. If you go to Glacier, you have to visit this end of the park.
Directions: From the Apgar Visitor Center, go left at Going to the Sun Road and travel about 49 miles to Saint Mary and turn left on Highway 89. Follow that for about 8.5 miles and turn left on Many Glacier Road, and follow it for about 11.5 miles to Many Glacier Hotel Parking Road. Parking fills very early is here: 48.797702, -113.656011, which can fill early.
The Skinny
Trail: Swiftcurrent Lake Trail To Grinnell Glacier Trail To South Shore Josephine Lake Trail
Trailhead Coordinates: 48.795320, -113.657424
Trailhead Elevation: 4901 Feet
Distance: 8.6 Miles
Level Of Difficulty: 🟠
Average Grade: 3%, 8.89% Over 1 Mile Over Longest Straight Climb Point
Steepest Grade: 14.4% For .44 Miles
Ascension: 1267 Feet
Trail Condition: 🟢🟢🟢🟢
Scenery: 🟢🟢🟢🟢
Nearest Town: Saint Mary
Challenges: The Climb
Traffic: 🥾🥾🥾
Highlights: The Views
Best Time: Summer, Fall
Hazards: Steep Grades
Wildlife Concerns: Black Bears, Grizzley Bears, Mountain Lions, Rattlesnakes
Cell Service: 📵 Verizon
Would I Do This Hike Again?: Yes
Parking: $35 To Enter The Park At Time Of This Writing. Good For 7 Days.
Restrooms: In Parking Lot, At Many Glacier Lodge
*If you are going to choose to act in an intimate way on the trail, you are doing so at your discretion. Be aware of any laws that apply to the location you are in, as you are responsible for your own choices, and I would never advocate any unlawful activity.