Many Glacier boat trip and Grinnel Glacier hike

Question

Our family is coming at the end of the July. We want to do the Many Glacier boat trip , which I already booked for July 24, but I could only get a 2pm boat tour for 4 people. We want to also do the Grinnell Glacier hike but I know that this would be too late to do the entire hike with the boat ride. I realize it is high season and I am starting late for planning. I am looking for any suggestions. Maybe we do as much of the hike as we can get it, but I don't want to be stuck when the suns goes down. Is it possible to do part of the hike and still see much of the good stuff? Or do we need to consider doing it another day? I was trying to avoid coming back to the East side of the park after we have moved over to stay on the West side. We are staying at the Summit Mountain Lodge the first 2 nights (July 23-25) and then moving to a condo in Columbia Falls for 3 nights (July 25-28). With this being high season, changing the accommodations would not be the best solution now.

Answer

It sounds like you’ve got an exciting trip planned, and I understand your concerns about timing for the Grinnell Glacier hike with the boat ride. The boat tour at Many Glacier is an amazing experience, but with your 2 PM timing, it can definitely make it tricky to complete the entire hike in one day. Here are a few suggestions and options to make the most of your visit without feeling rushed:

The Grinnell Glacier hike is a beautiful, but relatively long hike, and doing both the boat trip and the full hike in one day would be tight, especially with the 2 PM boat tour. The hike itself is about 7 miles round trip with roughly 1,500 feet of elevation gain, and typically takes 4-6 hours to complete, depending on your pace and fitness level.

Since your boat tour is at 2 PM, and you’ll likely finish around 3:30 PM or later, I suggest doing the following:

Do the partial hike: You can take the boat to the starting point and hike as much of the Grinnell Glacier trail as possible before turning around. The best views are generally within the first 2-3 miles of the trail, where you'll get great views of Grinnell Lake and the surrounding glaciers. The first part of the hike offers dramatic views of the lake and glaciers, so even if you don't get all the way to Grinnell Glacier, you'll still get a fantastic experience.
Timing: Aim to start hiking as soon as you disembark from the boat and walk at a moderate pace to maximize the amount of trail you can cover before it gets dark. Make sure to keep an eye on the time, as the sun sets around 9 PM at the end of July, but it will still get quite dim by 8:30 PM.
Turn around early: If you feel you’re getting close to the point where you’re running out of time, it’s best to turn back early so you aren’t rushed in the dark. The area around Grinnell Lake is a great place to stop and enjoy the views if you don’t make it to the glacier itself.

If you’re unsure about completing the full hike in one day with the boat tour, you might want to consider these options:

Split the hike into two days: If you really want to do the full Grinnell Glacier hike, you could consider returning to the Many Glacier area from your accommodation in Columbia Falls for another morning. While this would require extra driving, it might be worth it to not feel rushed on your hike and to see all the spectacular views.
Consider another shorter hike: If doing the hike on the same day as the boat trip proves too challenging, there are shorter hikes nearby in Many Glacier that still offer beautiful views. The Swiftcurrent Pass or Lake Josephine trail are great alternatives with fantastic scenery and might be more doable in your limited time.

One final tip: since you’re already staying at the Summit Mountain Lodge, you can check with the front desk or the rangers at Many Glacier to get up-to-date information on trail conditions and any tips on timing for the hike. They may have further insights based on current trail conditions in late July.

Enjoy your adventure in Glacier National Park! It’s one of the most stunning places on Earth, and I’m sure no matter what trail you decide to explore, you’ll have an unforgettable experience!

Many Glacier boat trip and Grinnel Glacier hike

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