Highline & Grinnell Glacier

Glacier has more than seven hundred miles of trails, and two stand above the rest. The Highline Trail leaves from Logan Pass and follows the Continental Divide for several miles along the Garden Wall, a ledge walk with views of the McDonald Valley, wildflower meadows and the occasional mountain goat or bighorn sheep. A narrow section is cut into the cliff and has a cable handrail, but the trail is otherwise graded and is typically hiked one way, ending at the Loop on the Sun Road or continuing to Granite Park Chalet. Plan on a full day, a shuttle for the return and a head for heights. Grinnell Glacier, in the Many Glacier valley, is a very different experience: a long climb of around ten to eleven miles round trip with a boat shuttle option, passing turquoise lakes, waterfalls and flower slopes to reach the lakeshore beneath one of the park's best-known glaciers. The glacier has shrunk in recent decades, which gives the hike a documentary feel: you see the ice, the meltwater lake and the bare rock where ice used to be.

Both hikes require preparation. Start early, because afternoon storms are common in the high country and trail conditions change quickly. Check trail reports with the park before you go, since snow, closures and bear activity can alter the route. Carry bear spray, plenty of water, a warm layer, a rain shell, sun protection and snacks, and tell someone your plan, as cell service is minimal. Trekking poles help on descents, and hikers who are comfortable on exposed trails will enjoy the Highline most.

For logistics, use the park shuttle or a commercial service for the Highline's one-way route when they are operating, or arrange a car at the Loop. At Many Glacier, book a boat shuttle across Swiftcurrent and Josephine lakes if you want to shorten the Grinnell hike, and note that the boat times shape your schedule. Hikers sometimes stay at Granite Park Chalet, a backcountry hut that requires advance reservation and offers a night in the high country.

Bear safety is non-negotiable on both trails. Hike in a group, make noise at blind corners, carry bear spray where you can reach it and respect closures, which the park uses to keep hikers and bears apart. Ranger-led walks are a good alternative for visitors who want expertise without the planning, and the visitor centers can recommend shorter alternatives if conditions are poor.

Choose your hike according to experience and time. First-time Glacier hikers may prefer shorter alternatives, such as Hidden Lake Overlook, Avalanche Lake or the shoreline trails at Many Glacier, and then build up to the big objectives on a later day. If you are determined to do the Highline, check the shuttle schedule and confirm where you will leave a car or catch a ride at the end. Pack a trekking pole or two, a headlamp in case the day runs long, a basic first-aid kit and enough food for the whole day.

For Grinnell Glacier, decide in advance whether to use the boats, and note that returning on the last boat can set a hard deadline. Tell someone your plan, stay with your group and turn back if weather or fatigue changes the situation. A ranger-led or guided hike is a good alternative if you want expertise and company.