In the summer of 2025, I took my daughters along with my older brother on an epic hike in Glacier National Park. The hike is Glacier’s Highline Trail, which is one of the most beautiful hikes in the park. I have hiked this trail multiple times but I have never taken the extra 2 mile hiking trek straight up and over the Garden Wall to overlook into Grinnell Glacier. My daughters were not overly thrilled about this 14 mile adventure that we were to embark on but it was important to me for them to get to see a glacier and also the historic Granite Park Chalet.

People seem to always be shocked at the amount of planning and forethought that I put into my work. I knew way ahead of the hike that I wanted to paint Grinnell Glacier and went into it knowing that this is the scene and vantage point that I wanted to capture.

Once we reached the top, it was overwhelming taking in all the grandeur. Mount Gould and the Angel’s Wing are breathtaking. Cradled down in the base is what remains of Grinnell Glacier along with Grinnell Lake. Gem Glacier is visible in the upper right on the lower edge of Mount Gould and Salamander Glacier can be seen in the lower left.

Scientists have been predicting that Grinnell Glacier, which is iconic in Glacier National Park, may be completely gone by 2030. When you see what remains, this is very likely a possibility. Although Grinnell Glacier has significantly receded, the land where the glacier used to be also plays a significant role in the painting and story. I spent a lot of time accurately depicting the glacial striations where the glacier used to sit. These striations are often parallel as they are formed as a result of the movement and receding of a glacier. Also, it is important to note that Grinnell lake was not always there, as it used to all be part of Grinnell Glacier. Glacial lakes differ in color and their opacity than other lakes due to the glacial and silty clays that are present.

This painting embodies an authentic representation of Grinnell Glacier, Grinnell Lake, and all of its surroundings as of July of 2025. This historic painting was a labor of love on multiple levels and I am proud that I was able to capture What Remains.