The Highline Trail & Grinnell Glacier Overlook, Glacier National Park, Montana
Hike Statistics:
Distance: 13.6 miles
Elevation gain: 2,325 feet
Highlights: Grinnell Glacier Overlook, Haystack Pass, scenic vistas of western Glacier, waterfalls, wildflowers, wildlife
About this Hike
Glacier National Park is one of the most famous national parks in the United States. The park protects a lush, dramatic landscape carved by glaciers over millions of years. Towering peaks, expansive forests, rushing waterfalls, melting glaciers, and abundant wildlife make it a place that millions of visitors flock to see every year.
The Highline Trail is perhaps Glacier’s crown jewel, providing a sampling of the park’s vistas & wildlife. The trail primarily follows the Garden Wall, a long crest that runs through the middle of the park. To the west, hikers can catch expansive views of distant mountain ranges, Lake McDonald, forests, and waterfalls. Along the trail, wildflowers, lush meadows, and sheer rock faces create a colorful landscape that photos could never do justice to. Adding to the enchantment, it’s common to encounter mountain goats, mule deer, marmots, ground squirrels, and – occasionally – grizzly bears.
Many of the hikers that conquer the Highline Trail choose to visit the Grinnell Glacier Overlook, a saddle in the Garden Wall that’s accessible via a steep, rocky detour that climbs over 1,000 feet. The overlook provides a view of the lakes & mountains to the east, as well as the famous Grinnell Glacier. Though the trek to this overlook is strenuous, it’s absolutely worth the effort.
Since there are numerous trailheads that provide access to the Highline Trail, there are several variations of the hike. I recommend starting the hike from Logan Pass, detouring to the Grinnell Glacier overlook, and then finishing at The Loop trailhead. From The Loop, hikers can catch a free shuttle back to Logan Pass. This variation of the hike is 13.6 miles with nearly 2,500 feet of elevation gain. Some hikers choose to see the Grinnell Glacier Overlook by completing an out-and-back hike from Logan Pass, which clocks in at 15 miles. Other variations exist, too.
If you plan to start the hike at Logan Pass, be sure to arrive at the parking lot before 7 AM. The Highline Trail is typically free of snow from early July through September. The summer is when wildflowers are in full bloom, waterfalls are flowing, and wildlife is most active.
