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Sky Pond

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
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 4.9 (322)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Front Range
  4. …Rocky Mountain National Park
  5. Bear Lake
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“Sky Pond is in a deep valley carved by Taylor Glacier and capped by Taylor and Powell Peak. ”

Mike Langenkamp
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Map Key

8.3

Miles

13.3

KM

Out and Back

11,014' 3,357 m

High

9,162' 2,793 m

Low

2,000' 610 m

Up

1,999' 609 m

Down

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

32%

Max Grade (18°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Overview

Begin at the Glacier Gorge trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park and follow a well maintained trail to Timberline Falls. The trail ends there and you must scramble up the side of the falls to continue past The Lake of Glass to Sky Pond.

Need to Know

Sky Pond is inside Rocky Mountain National Park, so NPS restrictions apply.

Description

From the Glacier Gorge trailhead, your first destination is beautiful Alberta Falls, 0.85 miles in. Continuing on past the falls the trail has less traffic as it meanders along pine forests and switchbacks to the North Longs Peak Trail junction, 1.6 miles in.

Follow the signs for the Loch, heading west, climbing through dense forests. Glacier Gorge Junction will appear after the 2.1 mile mark, continue to follow the sign to The Loch. Climb steep switchbacks through heavy forest and you'll next come upon Andrews Glacier Trail junction, 3.65 miles in. Continue straight (west) on the main trail. The trail eventually levels out at the Loch, 3 miles in at 10,200'.

From the Loch onward, the trail becomes rougher and less used. The trail follows Icy Creek through heavy woods along a canyon. As you walk, the breaks in the trees will reveal Timberline Falls in the distance, your next destination. To reach the alpine lakes, Sky Pond and Lake of Glass, you must climb up the side of the falls, which lies at the 4 mile mark.

The best approach is to head for a relatively dry chute of the waterfall, on the right of the main flow. Scramble to the top, the steepness and wetness making it a challenge. The climb up Timberline Falls is the most difficult part of the route and does not exceed Class 3 in good conditions.

Once on top of Timberline Falls, the environment immediately changes to arctic tundra. The stark Lake of Glass (at the 4.15 mile mark) lies in front of you but the most noticeable effect is the harsher weather. There is a substantial temperature drop and the wind often blows relentlessly. Now is the time to add a layer of clothing and a windproof shell.

From the Lake of Glass, cross smooth granite slabs westward along the shore and pick up the rough trail. The trail follows Icy Brook to a beautiful waterfall and Sky Pond. Reaching Sky Pond, 4.6 miles in, you are at the base of Taylor Glacier and surrounded by Taylor Peak (13,153), Powell Peak (13,208) and The Sharktooth (12,630).

Contacts

Land Manager: National Park Service - Rocky Mountain National Park

Shared By:

Mike Langenkamp
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.9 from 322 votes

#1

in Bear Lake

#8

Overall
  4.9 from 322 votes
5 Star
91%
4 Star
9%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Bear Lake

#5

in Colorado

#8

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56,871 Since Feb 26, 2015
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Photos

The glorious view that greets you once you near Sky Pond.
Nov 9, 2018 near Grand Lake, CO
The Loch, Rocky Mountain NP CO
Jan 15, 2015 near Grand Lake, CO
Sky Pond early spring
Jan 15, 2015 near Grand Lake, CO
Alberta Falls
May 2, 2018 near Estes Park, CO
Dream Lake Trail
Jan 19, 2015 near Estes Park, CO
Once in a Blue Moon.... with permission from Richard Ryer
Jan 15, 2015 near Grand Lake, CO

12 Comments

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Check-Ins

Sep 15, 2024
Danielle Maize
Sep 3, 2024
Tom Herr
Epic trail with a steady incline with 3 gems in a single hike. Climbing above Timberline Falls was a challenge which was rewarded at end by Sky Pond. 8.3mi
Aug 30, 2024
Stan Parker
Jun 21, 2024
Jack Lishman
Spikes definitely required 10mi — 7h 30m
Jun 14, 2024
Marc Daniel
With Mila — 7h 10m
May 1, 2024
Zoë Pearson
Beautiful hike, still some snow on the trail - would recommend snowshoes/micro spikes
Nov 4, 2023
Chris R
8.9mi
Oct 12, 2023
Rebekah Cook
9.7mi — 10h 30m

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