Best trails in Glacier National Park

We started the hike from the Many Glaciers Hotel parking lot (because of construction, you won't be able to park at the AllTrails trailhead). So instead, you start on the Swiftcurrent Lake Trail and then cross a bridge, which connects you with the trail that ultimately takes you to the Grinnell Glacier. We saw a moose lounging on the far shore of Swiftcurrent Lake as we started! The first two miles of the trail are super chill. Once you pass Lake Josephine, you start climbing in elevation in earnest. Also, two downed trees are blocking the trail around mile 2. It took some shimmying, but you should be able to scramble under and over them. Then begins your climb! Look to the rock faces on the right (north side of the trail) where mountain goats tend to roam. The first 3 miles of the trail have quite a few snowy and icy spots. We did not have crampons, and did not ever feel we needed them. But the higher you go, the snowier it gets. We did not experience waist-high snow, as one previous reviewer noted. The highest the snow ever got was knee-high, and my partner is 5'2". The snow does become pretty annoying around mile 4. But I had poles and had no problems. My partner did not have poles and was slipping and sliding! We saw bear paw prints on the trail at around mile 4, and then spotted a mama grizzly and her two cubs around mile 4.4! They pretty much ignored us as we cautiously passed. When you get to the pit toilets at a wooded area, it feels as if you have made it. But the bad news is that you still have 0.4 miles left to get to the glaciated lake! That last 0.4 miles is through some knee-deep snow, though mostly hard-packed. And it seemed like an eternity to finally get to the ridge overlooking Grinnell and Salamander Glaciers. We stayed and ate our lunches but not too long because the winds here were fierce and frigid! The hike back was uneventful. Though the grizzlies were still in the same place, just thankfully a bit farther away! This is a Glacier National Park must-hike trail. Currently, there is just enough snow to make it gorgeous, but not enough to make it impassable!

One of the top trails of Glacier National Park. Given it is fall, not as crowded.

Like many hikes in this general area of glacier, parking can be tough. It may require you to hike to your launching point; from the car to said point - adding time. I don’t think it’s a major concern. It’s a moderately tough hike with some gruff to spare if you’re seasoned enough, including possible adages from parking a mile away. I got lucky this particular day. I will say in the summer it’s tough, the majority of this hike is uncovered and in the open sun. It starts with some gnarly switchbacks and no less tedious, though beautiful plant life and scenery. The view from the top are of course Glacier majestic and worth it! What’s to really say? It’s beautiful, it’s moderately tough unique in that there is a chalet for back country hikers coming from other routes (I believe) and that chalet sits at the most scenic portion. You could research the Grinnel Chalet to see about accommodations. It looks like fun! Before the chalet there is a forested portion that adds nice dimension and alpine smells. After the chalet it’s more brutal sun, no cover and scaling the remainder of the elevation. Fun hike! Not crazy crowded all things considered.

This was my favorite trail I hiked while at Glacier! I visited in August and it was very hot. There was almost direct sun the whole time. I arrived super early and parked for free at the Many Glacier Hotel and began the hike from there. This trail was hard and long but the views made it all worth it. Saw a black bear with her cubs!

We completed this hike on September 2nd. I was really hot gorgeous day. We did not come in contact with any bears but we did see Bear Scat into areas closer to the top. There were lots of us hiking on this weekend and it was definitely one of the most difficult hikes I've ever done. Route finding is hard to follow on the way down. And you most definitely need a helmet. There is a lot of climbing and scrambling. The views at the top are unimaginable. It feels like you're on top of the world with many lakes, glaciers, mountain peaks, and Red Rock in view. Follow my Instagram to see a reel on the hike @jillruggers. Be bear aware, be prepared and enjoy!

We completed this hike on September 1st. It was very hot and I highly recommend swimming in the glacier lake for nice cool off. The tunnels really neat and all the connecting trails to the back of waterton is awesome. Check out @jillruggers to see a reel on the hike.