Grinnell Glacier with Angel Wing - Glacier National Park
Grinnell Glacier trail is one of the most popular and as a result one of the busiest trails inside Glacier National Park. For good reason, it offers some amazing views of lakes, glaciers and mountains in one beautiful full-day hike. Depending on route and how much exploring of the glacier basin is done, the trail is around 12 miles out-and-back, but can be 16 miles with Angel Wing thrown in as well.
The trail is accessed from the Many Glacier area of Glacier NP, and most hike from the Grinnell Glacier Trailhead, but it can also be started at the Many Glacier hotel. The trail runs along two lakes, Swiftcurrent and Josephine, and trails run along both sides of these lakes. The last time I hiked it, bears were running rampant on the north trail of Josephine, so we detoured to the south shore trail which added a little distance but allowed us to continue our hike. Once past the lakes the trail begins to climb, and never really stops climbing until the glacier basin is reached. It is very exposed, no trees once the climb begins, so it can be a very hot hike. There is also frequently deep snow late into the summer, so check trail status before making plans to go. Mid-July is usually when the trail is fully open to the glacier.
The trail to the glacier is beautiful in itself, but for an added beauty and more elevation, a trip above the glacier basin to Angel Wing is an option. There is no trail, but it is a non-technical route, which can be done fairly easily with some planning. Crossing the water outlet of the lake is required for either Angel Wing or a close-up visit to the glacier, so water shoes are highly recommended. The water in upper Grinnell Lake is frigidly cold, the coldest in the park in my opinion, so brace yourself before placing any body part in it!
Many Glacier is now restricted access, like much of the rest of the park, so reservations are required throughout the summer months, from 6-3. The trailhead parking fills up very quickly, so earlier is better, just be very bear aware and make lots of noise if you are on the trail before it is busy. This area of the park is known to have a lot of animal activity which can mean some great photo opportunities, or some very scary interactions depending!
*Music by TimTaj, available on FreeMusicArchive.org
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