Glacier National Park

Grinnell Glacier in Glacier National Park.

July 15th - August 12th, 2023

"The Crown of the Continent"

Glacier National Park is one of the most iconic gems out of all the national parks. The hikes and drives we went on here were unforgettable experiences.

Our Airbnb was located in nearby Kalispell, which was a cool town that is close to Flathead Lake and Whitefish Lake, which were both amazing lakes that we explored when we weren’t immersed in Glacier. We also ventured into Jewel Basin which is an amazing hiking area with beautiful alpine lakes.

The top hikes we did in Glacier include the Grinnell Glacier Trail, the Highline Trail, Hidden Lake Overlook, and Avalanche Lake.

Our friend from college, Kenny, also took us rafting down the Middle Fork of the Flathead River which was an amazing experience.

Glacier National Park, nicknamed "The Crown of the Continent", is a showcase of glacier carved valleys, stark alpine peaks, beautiful old growth forests and even a few remaining glaciers.

Views of Grinnell Lake on the Grinnell Glacier trail.

Arriving at Grinnell Glacier, Glacier NP.

Grinnell Glacier, Glacier NP.

Views along the Grinnell Glacier Trail.

Overlooking Josephine Lake along the Grinnell Glacier trail.

Natalie and Trevor on a boat in Glacier NP.

We took a boat ride across Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine to make our Grinnell Glacier hike shorter.

Josephine Lake in Glacier NP.

Swiftcurrent Lake, Glacier National Park.

Views of Grinnell Lake from the Grinnell Glacier trail.

Views from the Grinnell Glacier trail.

Rumor has it that they drain the gatorade out of the lake each day when the tourists are gone.

Natalie at Grinnell Glacier.

Views from the Highline Trail, Glacier NP.

Trevor did the Highline Trail in Glacier NP, a 15 mile trail that takes you high into Glacier NP wilderness.

Views from the Highline Trail, Glacier NP.

This deer gave me a good startle.

Views from the Highline Trail, Glacier NP.

Grinnell Glacier as seen from the Garden Wall trail.

Along the Highline Trail there is the option to do the Garden Wall side trail which gives you an aerial overview of Grinnell Glacier.

Looking down at all the lakes along the Grinnell Glacier trail from the Garden Wall trail viewpoint.

Views from the Highline Trail, Glacier NP.

The Granite Park Chalet along the Highline Trail, an infamous bear attack site.

Views along the Hidden Lake Overlook trail.

The Hidden Lake Overlook, Glacier NP.

Views along the Hidden Lake Overlook trail.

Logan Pass Visitor Center, Glacier NP.

The Hidden Lake Overlook, Glacier NP.

St. Mary Lake from the St. Mary Falls Trail.

The bridge at St. Mary falls.

St. Mary Falls, Glacier NP.

Views from the St. Mary Falls Trail.

A moose in St. Mary Lake along the St. Mary Falls trail.

Views from the St. Mary Falls Trail.

Natalie on a boat tour of St. Mary Lake.

Natalie went on a boat tour of St. Mary Lake while Trevor did the Highline Trail.

Natalie's boat tour on St. Mary's Lake.

A fallen tree's root system along the Avalanche Lake trail.

Avalanche Gorge along the Avalanche Lake trail.

Views along the Avalanche Lake trail.

The Avalanche Lake trail goes through an amazing old growth forest.

Avalanche Lake, Glacier NP.

Views along the Avalanche Lake trail.

John's Lake along the John's Lake Loop trail.

John's Lake Loop trail

McDonald Creek along the John's Lake Loop trail

Taking a dip in McDonald Lake at sunset before camping for the night.

The dock at McDonald Lake.

We paddleboarded across the entire McDonald Lake to the other side, an ambitious adventure!

Jewel Basin

Near Kalispell where we stayed, there's an amazing hiking area called Jewel Basin with alpine hikes to secluded lakes. We went on the Birch Lake trail and had an awesome time.

Views along the Birch Lake Trail, Jewel Basin.

Birch Lake, an amazing secluded lake in the Jewel Basin wilderness.

Views along the Birch Lake Trail, Jewel Basin.

Birch Lake, Jewel Basin

Views along the Birch Lake Trail, Jewel Basin.

Middle Fork Flathead River Rafting with Kenny

Our friend from college, Kenny, invited to take us rafting when he heard we were in the area. Kenny spent the summer as a river guide on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. This was absolutely the highlight of our entire trip to Glacier, the river was beautiful and it was fun to hang out with Kenny.

Getting the raft down to the water

Rafting with Kenny on the Middle Fork Flathead River.

Candid photo of Kenny spotting an Osprey.

Natalie, Trevor and Kenny in front of their car with a raft on it.

Had a great time with rafting Kenny!

Whitefish Mountain Resort

One of our favorite things we did while in Kalispell was the Whitefish Mountain Resort. We took a ski lift up to the summit of the resort and then hiked the "Danny On" trail back down to the base. Along the way, there were huckleberries galore that were free for picking. We loved the views and chowing down on an abundance of delicious huckleberries.