The short answer
Yes. If we could choose only one hike in Many Glacier, Grinnell Glacier would be it. It is a serious hike, but the payoff starts almost immediately. You get lakes, huge mountain views, a waterfall crossing, wildlife and the glacier itself instead of spending most of the day waiting for one final viewpoint.
The views start early
The trail begins around Swiftcurrent Lake, then continues above Lake Josephine and eventually gives you huge views over Grinnell Lake. It never felt like a hike where you had to suffer for hours before getting to the scenery.
Yes, you walk through the waterfall
Higher on the trail you cross directly through a waterfall. It was hot when we hiked, so getting sprayed felt refreshing. Expect wet rock and take your time.
The last climb is the hard part
The rocky switchbacks near the end were the section where we really had to power through. The trail is exposed and this is a serious mountain hike, so bring enough water, sun protection and bear spray, and check conditions before starting.
The glacier is worth the final push
At the top you reach the glacial lake below Grinnell Glacier and can get surprisingly close to the landscape you have been looking at all day. It is a great place to stop, recover and take photos before heading back.
Even though this is an out-and-back, the return did not feel repetitive. The lakes and mountains look different in the opposite direction, and later in the day we had some long stretches with nobody around us.
Go later if conditions allow
This trail can get extremely crowded. We hiked later in the day and found the descent much quieter. An evening start is only a good idea if you have enough daylight, know your pace and have checked current trail and wildlife conditions.
Wildlife
We saw a mountain goat during our Many Glacier hiking. Glacier is active bear country too, so carry bear spray where you can reach it and follow current park guidance.
Our verdict
This was our best bang-for-your-buck hike in Many Glacier. The final switchbacks are tough, but the scenery is so consistent that the hike never feels like a long approach to one payoff. If we had time for only one big hike here, we would choose Grinnell again.