The Summit Series #6: Mount Grinnell, Montana

Mount Grinnell

A false summit of Mount Grinnell

Mount Grinnell is a striking peak found in the Rocky Mountains of Glacier National Park, Montana. Standing at 8,855 feet (2,699 m), it is located in the Many Glacier region, widely considered to be the "heart" of the park. It is named after famed explorer and mountaineer George Bird Grinnell, who had a major part to play in Glacier's establishment as a national park in 1910.

There are many routes up this mountain, but the one way distance to this summit should not exceed 8 miles (12.8 km). No matter which approach you choose, this will be a long but rewarding day climb. A majority of this climb will be on human trail, and the off-trail portions shouldn't exceed class 3. You will gain approximately 4,000 feet (305 m) of elevation during the ascent. 

The view from the Grinnell Glacier Overlook.

Views from atop this mountain are spellbinding. Surrounding you are the towering rocky summits of Mount Grinnell's neighbors. This includes unique perspectives of prominent peaks like Mount Gould and Mount Wilbur. Thousands of feet below lie several glacial lakes. Looking east, you can clearly see the park's terminus and the expanse of the Great Plains beyond.  Please enjoy these photographs of my climb up this glorious mountain!

A golden summit sunset :)

Traversing Mount Grinnell's ridge.

Mount Grinnell's summit cairn. Mount Wilbur can be seen on the left, and the Crowfeet-Henkel ridge can be seen on the right.

Smoke from the 2017 Sprague Fire casts a cinematic haze on the horizon.

Another view from the summit. Mount Gould looms over the famous Grinnell Glacier.

*All photography featured here was taken by me.

Thanks for reading! :)