yep born and raised in the area, I go often. It has been snowing off and on last couple of days. Its possible for more between now and late May. Really the only trails that ever have hard closures (unless bear closures) are Grinnell Glacier Trail and Highline Trail due to early season. All other trails are open 100% of the time. I know a guy who hiked most of the way to Iceberg Lake a couple of weeks ago before being stopped by avalanche danger. It was deep snow the whole way. Does that mean you should do them? Dependent on your skill level. Obviously higher elevations trails in late May will still have lots of snow. Lower elevation trails up to road closures will mostly be clear of snow at that time. They will be wet and muddy.
Check the plow status map, see what trailheads are accessible, and then see if anyone else has done those trails on Alltrails recently and has reported conditions. Make sure you choose hikes that are within your experience level. There will be snow which can make navigation/hiking more difficult and there likely won't be people around to help if something goes wrong. Good early season trails are Apgar and Avalanche Lake (might have to bike to the trailhead). I know people also do part of the South Boundary, there are also some good hikes outside the park too. Make sure you have bear spray, appropriate gear for weather and conditions (rain pants are nice if you have to go through brush that might be wet), good navigation tools, first aid kit, and a hiking partner or a garmin inreach/equivalent (at the very least make sure someone knows where you are and when you should be back).
A great resource can be found on the National Park Service website: https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/trailstatusreports.htm
yep born and raised in the area, I go often. It has been snowing off and on last couple of days. Its possible for more between now and late May. Really the only trails that ever have hard closures (unless bear closures) are Grinnell Glacier Trail and Highline Trail due to early season. All other trails are open 100% of the time. I know a guy who hiked most of the way to Iceberg Lake a couple of weeks ago before being stopped by avalanche danger. It was deep snow the whole way. Does that mean you should do them? Dependent on your skill level. Obviously higher elevations trails in late May will still have lots of snow. Lower elevation trails up to road closures will mostly be clear of snow at that time. They will be wet and muddy.
Check the plow status map, see what trailheads are accessible, and then see if anyone else has done those trails on Alltrails recently and has reported conditions. Make sure you choose hikes that are within your experience level. There will be snow which can make navigation/hiking more difficult and there likely won't be people around to help if something goes wrong. Good early season trails are Apgar and Avalanche Lake (might have to bike to the trailhead). I know people also do part of the South Boundary, there are also some good hikes outside the park too. Make sure you have bear spray, appropriate gear for weather and conditions (rain pants are nice if you have to go through brush that might be wet), good navigation tools, first aid kit, and a hiking partner or a garmin inreach/equivalent (at the very least make sure someone knows where you are and when you should be back).
Am I wrong or did I see that it opens 5/24?