According to the U.S. Geological Survey, glacial recession is well underway with many completely gone. The retreat of these alpine glaciers reflects recent changes in climate as they respond to altered temperatures and precipitation. It’s been estimated that approximately 150 glaciers existed in Glacier National Park in 1850, and most were still present in 1910 when the park was established. In 2010, only about 25 glaciers larger than 25 acres remained in the park.
A computer-based climate model predicts some of the park’s largest glaciers will vanish by 2030 (Hall and Fagre, 2003). This is only one model prediction, but if true the park’s glaciers could disappear completely in the next couple of decades. However, glacier disappearance may occur even earlier, as many are retreating faster than their predicted rates.
One glacier that’s receding at an ever-quickening pace is Grinnell Glacier. Because of its relatively easy access it’s also one of the most popular destination hikes in the Many Glacier region.
The glacier was named after George Bird Grinnell, who is credited with coining Glacier NP as the “Crown of the Continent.” He was influential in establishing it as a national park in 1910, and he certainly made his mark on the Many Glacier Valley. The area has two lakes, a glacier, a mountain and an arete (Grinnell Point) bearing his name.
We started this hike super-early so we could enjoy at least part of it in solitude. There’s an option to take two boat trips across Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine to shorten the trek significantly, but the boats didn’t start until 8:30AM. So we walked the 2.5 miles around both lakes to the starting point of the trail to the summit.
Being here so early, we were rewarded with stillness on the water, and took advantage to capture some reflection shots:
It was so quiet that we just stood for a while, enjoying the silence and basking in the morning glory. What a beautiful way to start the day!
There was a fork on the trail that allowed us to walk around the lakes either to the north or to the south. We chose the South Shore Trail, deciding we’d take the north trail back. The first mile of beautiful wooded area looked like prime bear territory, and we were super-vigilant since we were clearly the first ones on the trail that day.
After two miles of meandering along the lakes, the trail began to elevate. For the next 3.5 miles we climbed gradually and gained 1,600′. This was a long and strenuous hike, with the toughest part being the last half mile of switchbacks up to the summit – after already completing 5.5 miles of huffing and puffing to get there. But the scenery, wildflowers, waterfalls and lake views on this trek were among the best we’ve every seen, and we stopped frequently to enjoy and capture them.
Without describing the trail in detail, let me share the breathtaking scenery that just kept getting better as we climbed:
Even though we started our hike early, dozens of photo stops delayed our arrival at the summit, and a few folks passed us along the way. We didn’t get there until about 11:00AM.
And there it was, after a few final steep switchbacks along a boulder-strewn moraine, all three glaciers that sits just below the continental dive were now visible; Gem Glacier, a small rounded glacier, Salamander Glacier that we had seen earlier from the valley floor, and Grinnell Glacier.
When we began our descent around noon, people were swarming up the path and it took seemingly forever to get back down. After logging 12.2 miles and 7 hours of hiking, we were exhausted and couldn’t wait to get home for a shower and a healthy dinner. What a great day!
The three lakes we had passed could be seen from the summit. Streams from the melting glaciers above feed them, and all three display the characteristic turquoise color of glacial lakes.
This hike may be too long and strenuous for some folks, and dealing with all of the people (especially during the busy summer season) is not fun and requires patience. But we’re so glad we made this scenic and unforgettable hike!
As the overall trends show, glaciers in the park are quickly receding. So be sure to get here and see them while you still can!
Lowes Travels 
Never get tired of visiting and hiking this national park. Love your writings, look forward to getting your “news” weekly. Be safe, and keep ’em coming.
Glad you are enjoying the ride so far. Visiting a National Park never gets boring and GNP is now high on my list as one of the favorite national park.
Isn’t is just so sad how much the glaciers have melted? In spite of that, this is one of my favorite hikes of all time and seeing your photos makes me want to hike it again! Great shots!
Thank you Diana. We should be glad we saw it before its finally gone.
Because of how quickly the Grinnell Glacier is receding, I was determined to see it up close. It sure is a great hike with so many beautiful spots along the way. I just smiled my way through your post as I remembered all the gorgeous lakes and scenery. So glad we could rehike it with you:) I guess hiking it on a drizzly day wasn’t such a bad idea after all. There were a few people on the trail not many at all and it was mid August when we did it. Your photos are breathtaking!!! The reflections are so great…Wow!!!
I was thinking of you when we hiked the trail for I know you had a great hike despite the drizzle and and clouds. Glad that you are able to see it again in better lighting.
I forgot to mention how spectacular your header photo is. The sun sure does help with the beauty:)
Thank you Pam, yes the sun and good lighting helped create those beautiful pictures.
MonaLiza, your pictures are magnificent! They almost make me think I would get up that early to see them for myself, almost. But why would I when I can see what you saw without the other people and the long, long hike! Thanks for showing them to us, I love the last one especially – your wonderful smile…..
I know, somebody has to do it Sue, and it looked it’s us.
MonaLiza, I can see why this is now your top favorite trail! Definitely sounds strenuous, but it looks like it was worth every bit of effort. Your reflection photos are spectacular! And I love the photo of you beneath the waterfall, and Steve overlooking Many Glacier Valley. I want to do this hike!
Make a plan to visit to GNP. And I know you and Eric will love this trail. Lots to get amazed of. Time it around late july for all the blooming wildflowers.
Amazing pictures. That would be two days of hiking for us. The picture of you in the waterfall looks like you are hanging in mid air.
We carefully crossed the mini waterfall afraid that we might slipped.
Sure is beaiutiful MonaLiza…we didn’t quite make it to the top because we got lost and ran out of time. It’s still on our list! As pretty as the glaciers are, that last picture of you is priceless!
Thank you Gay. Perhaps another visit is in order.
Spectacular photos! I wish I was there. Have fun!
So glad you are getting to see the glaciers but so sad to see how rapidly they are sinking. And we aren’t doing anything at all to do what we can as a country to slow the pace of global warming. I just don’t get it. It’s hardly on anyone’s political agenda.
Your early morning hike sounds exactly what I would do. How wonderful to have the solitude and to be able to take those fantastic reflections pictures. You guys are in great shape to be able to do that hike. So glad you did so I can see that absolutely gorgeous Grinnell Lake. I can hardly imagine how fantastic in must be to see it in person. And a wildflower meadow to top it off. Love that picture of you two at the top. Really WELL DONE! What a view Steve is looking out on. The final picture of you is just super. What a day you had. Thanks for sharing it.
If you and I are hiking this trail, it would take us all day long. There is so much to look at and admire.
I am so bummed that we missed this hike while at Glacier. I have already told Terry that I want to go back next year and do it. Your photos are stunning, especially those reflection shots and your header.
We came at a perfect time to get those reflection shots. I think you do need to comeback and late July is best with the blooming wildflowers on the meadows are spectacular.
Thanks MonaLiza! We will definitely return.
Gorgeous photos rom my favorite National Park!
An absolutely fantastic hike … beautiful photos … except for the one of the snake 😉
It looks like a fantastic hike, but too far for me, luckily I can see your pictures and read about it
Just beautiful photos, can not wait to go check this out on our travels. Great idea to start hiking early. Love all your posts and very helpful information. Have a blessed day.
Thank you.
When in National Parks, getting there early is the sure way to beat the crowd and parking.
Such spectacular pictures! You do some amazing blog posts. Mountain scenery is awesome, but those pix of Beargrass are the best I’ve seen.
Thank you, the light helped in the Beargrass picture.
Such stunning reflections, Mona Liza! You really do get to see the most spectacular scenery. Many Glacier Valley I an awesome sight. 🙂
Not sure how I missed this one! Glad you linked back from your 4th post. Now it’s easy to see how the glaciers are melting! Hope to get there one day, but if not, your great photography and story lines made me feel like I was there with you! Even the huffing and puffing part!
Glad to see you are using poles. I resisted for a long time, but my knees begged me and now we love to climb mountains! Or really, we’ve just been in hills compared to these mountains! Lol