Grinnell Glacier, Alpine glacier in Glacier National Park, Montana
The 152-acre Grinnell Glacier rests on Mount Gould's north flank at 7,000 feet elevation, surrounded by alpine meadows and mountain peaks.
George Bird Grinnell, founder of the Audubon Society, discovered this glacier in 1885 and later advocated for Glacier National Park's establishment.
The Blackfeet Native American tribe maintains traditional connections to this land, incorporating the glacier into their heritage and environmental stewardship.
The glacier trail extends 7.6 miles round-trip with 1,840 feet elevation gain, accessible via boat shuttles across Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine.
Between 1966 and 2005, the glacier lost forty percent of its surface area, providing direct evidence of climate change effects.
Location: Montana
GPS coordinates: 48.75167,-113.72750
Latest update: May 27, 2025 14:04
Montana offers a range of landscapes from the peaks of Glacier National Park to the central plains. The state has several mountain routes including the Going-to-the-Sun Road and the Beartooth Highway, both exceeding 3,000 meters in elevation. Glacial lakes such as Flathead Lake and Lake McDonald stretch over miles, with geological formations revealing millions of years of natural history. The Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman holds significant dinosaur fossil collections. Montana's mining history is evident in the streets of Virginia City, a former territorial capital founded in 1863, where over 200 buildings from the 19th century are preserved. The Little Bighorn Battlefield commemorates the 1876 conflicts between the U.S. Army and Native American nations. To observe local wildlife, the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center houses bears and wolves in protected habitats. Hikers can take the 18-kilometer Highline Trail along the continental divide or walk to the Grinnell Glacier through alpine lakes in Glacier National Park.
Going-to-the-Sun Road
9.1 km
Many Glacier Hotel
7.2 km
Granite Park Chalet
3.9 km
Garden Wall
2.5 km
Bird Woman Falls
5.1 km
Heavens Peak
10.6 km
Gem Glacier
557 m
Weeping Wall
2.8 km
Bearhat Mountain
9.8 km
Logan Pass Visitor Center
6.3 km
Great Northern Railway Buildings
3.9 km
The Salamander Glacier
1.1 km
Mount Oberlin
5.3 km
Clements Mountain
6.6 km
Haystack Butte
2.1 km
Swiftcurrent Fire Lookout
4.8 km
Mount Cannon
7.4 km
Grinnell Point
5.2 km
Swiftcurrent Glacier
2.4 km
Logan Creek Patrol Cabin
4.1 km
Swiftcurrent Auto Camp Historic District
6.4 km
Many Glacier Campground Camptender's Cabin
6.2 km
Many Glacier Barn and Bunkhouse
8.3 km
Piegan Glacier
5.8 km
Morning Eagle
5.8 km
Swiftcurrent Ranger Station Historic District
6.4 km
Highline Trailhead South
6.2 km
Avalanche Campground Amphitheater
10.5 kmReviews
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