Morning Eagle Falls Topo Map
USGS Many Glacier Quadrangle
~ 6.9 miles from Many Glacier Hotel to Grinnell Glacier overlook..
~ 3.6 miles from Lake Josephine boat dock to Grinnell Glacier overlook. No matter if you hike from Many Glacier Hotel or from the boat dock at the western end of Lake Josephine the trails gains 1600 feet.
There are several ways to get to Grinnell Glacier, hike along Swiftcurrent Lake from Many Glacier Hotel, take the short path connecting the two lakes. Then follow the North Shore Trail on Lake Josephine, which is also the Grinnell Glacier Trail. It is 5.4 miles from this point to the Grinnell Glacier overlook, although it is longer to hike from Many Glacier Hotel then taking the boat(s) to the end of Lake Josephine, the hike gains altitude at a much slower pace.
The second method is to take a ride on Glacier Boat, the first dock is at Many Glacier Hotel. Check with the boat crews as Glacier Park offers guided hikes to Grinnell Glacier that start at Many Glacier Hotel at the boat dock. The two methods meet up just above the western end of Lake Josephine. The trail from the boat dock gains
altitude at a much faster pace from the junction of the trails there is no difference in the hike. The boat is @ 2.5 miles shorter (one way). From the Lake Josephine junction the trail climbs slowly with views of Lake Josephine, Grinnell Lake & glimpses of Swiftcurrent Lake. After you pass the western end of Grinnell Lake the trail starts to gain altitude through a series of switchbacks. The trail flattens out for a short while & this is a popular lunch spot. When I hiked this trail in September of 2007 there was a large herd of Big Mountain Sheep on the rock cliffs next to this lunch spot. The two times that I hiked to Grinnell Glacier in 2006 I did not see any sheep. The trail was closed for most of 2005 as a result of a serious bear attack on the trail. The next part of the trail is the most difficult. There are a series of 'steps' made by the trail crews from the glacier moraine. This year I'll try & count the steps and also determine the altitude gain from the lunch spot to the overlook. The 'steps' are very wide & deep so just take your time, faster hikers can easily pass you. Once you have completed the 'steps' it is just a short distance to Grinnell Glacier overlook. The icebergs in Upper Grinnell Lake (100 years ago it was just melt water) are what will capture your immediate attention.
Click on the topo map at the hiker icons to see pics of the trail signs at that point on the trail.
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