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A gentle loop around Swiftcurrent Lake with wonderful views and a chance to see many animals.


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Map Key

2.5

Miles

4.0

KM

Point to Point

4,932' 1,503 m

High

4,884' 1,489 m

Low

118' 36 m

Up

138' 42 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

8%

Max Grade (5°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Spring · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Family Friendly Level, varied trail around a lake with many scenic bridges and places to see wildlife.

Bring bear spray.

Description

This trail starts off at the Many Glacier Hotel with fantastic views, then heads south along the shoreline to the trail sign. From there, you meander through a pleasant forest that roughly follows the shoreline. You are never far from the lake, and the trees are airy enough for you to be able to see it most of the time. The birding is great between the forest birds and the waterfowl.

The trail continues along the eastern shore where it passes by a boat house all the way to the head of the lake where a footbridge has you cross over Cataract Creek right after the junction for a cutoff trail to the South Shore Lake Josephine Trail. The trail travels east through more trees and shoreline until it gets to the boat launch and intersects with the Grinnell Glacier Trail. Take a right and head north along the west shoreline through more trees with filtered views of the lake.

The trail then breaks away from the lake as it heads towards the Grinnell Glacier Trailhead, crossing over Swiftcurrent Creek. This area is a great section to keep your eye out for moose as you head through the trees. Once at the Grinnell Glacier Trailhead, follow the loop of the road to the right and, just before you get to the Many Glacier Road, you'll see the trail take off again and follow along the shoreline. Views across the lake of the hotel are wonderful. Keep an eye up on the hillsides to the north which is frequently inhabited by bears, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats.

The trail eventually wraps around onto the road, crosses the outlet creek via a bridge and parallels the road back to the hotel.

This content was created by Jake Bramante of Hike 734. Visit hike734.com for more expert Glacier content and maps that help you decide which trail to hike.

Flora & Fauna

Many forest flowers such as arnica, glacier lilies, and beargrass. Birds vary from chickadees and finches to warblers and waterfowl such as loons and goldeneyes. Tree squirrels and chipmunks make up the smaller animals, but black and grizzly bears, moose, deer, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats may all be observed from the trail.

Contacts

Shared By:

Jake Bramante

Trail Ratings

  4.2 from 10 votes

#11

in Many Glacier

#8234

Overall
  4.2 from 10 votes
5 Star
50%
4 Star
20%
3 Star
30%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#11

in Many Glacier

#212

in Montana

#8,234

Overall
5 Views Last Month
1,649 Since Sep 3, 2015
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate

50%
8%
33%
0%
8%
0%

Photos

Swiftcurrent Lake. Glacier National Park.
Sep 10, 2016 near Swiftcu…, MT
Mt. Grinnell.
Nov 6, 2016 near Swiftcu…, MT
Bighorn Ram in front of the Many Glacier Hotel.
Jun 10, 2016 near Swiftcu…, MT
Glacier National Park, Montana, USA with permission from danhester
May 16, 2016 near Swiftcu…, MT
Not the only one enjoying the trails.
May 16, 2016 near Swiftcu…, MT
Dawn over Swiftcurrent River.
Jun 15, 2016 near Swiftcu…, MT

0 Comments

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jun 16, 2023
Chuck Tracy
did the spur trail to Lake Josephine boat dock too 3.6mi
May 30, 2023
Alyssa Lortie
Tour 2.5mi
Oct 11, 2022
Stephanie T
Sep 7, 2021
Don Childrey
4.3mi
Jul 23, 2021
Kim Standley
Jul 23, 2021
John Rizzo
Leg 4 - Return to Many Glacier Hotel 1mi — 0h 25m
Jul 22, 2021
John Rizzo
2.6mi — 1h 10m
Sep 10, 2019
Christina Doan
2.5mi
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