Upper Grinnell Lake at Trail's End

Upper Grinnell Lake sits at the end of one of Glacier National Park's most rewarding hikes, a turquoise glacial lake backed directly by the Grinnell Glacier and surrounded by towering peaks and striated rock walls. The vivid blue-green color of the water comes from glacial flour suspended in the lake, and it photographs best under bright midday light when the sun is high enough to illuminate the basin fully, since the surrounding cliffs keep much of the area in shadow during early morning. Shoot from the shoreline looking back toward the glacier for a classic composition, or work the rocky edges for foreground interest. A wide angle lens helps capture the full scale of the amphitheater-like setting. The hike is roughly 7.6 miles roundtrip with significant elevation gain, so arrive prepared and budget at least half a day. (Glacier National Park, Montana, United States)