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Rocky Mountain National Park: Sky Pond
This 8.2-mile hike skirts wind-scoured lakes and scrambles up the edge of a waterfall before arriving at Sky Pond, where crumbling spires stretch 2,000 feet into the air.
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| Author: | Backpacker Magazine |
| Activity: | Hiking |
| State: | Colorado (CO) |
| Distance: | 8.2 mi |
| Difficulty: | 4 / 10 |
| USGS Topo Map: | McHenrys Peak |
| Rating: |
 4 rating(s)
|
From Glacier Gorge Trailhead, follow the well-traveled path as it winds through a thick pine and fir forest with shivering aspens. Pass the crowds gathered at Alberta Falls (mile 0.6) and climb around boulders to a rocky point above the canyon formed by Glacier Creek. To the north, craggy peaks guard the mouths of Glacier Gorge and Loch Vale.
Enjoy a downhill stretch to the junction for Mills Lake and Loch Vale. Stay right and switchback up to the Loch, a gorgeous tarn with a backdrop of jagged peaks at mile 2.5. Pass the Loch on the northwest side as you continue the gradual climb south up Loch Vale. A half a mile above the Loch's shores, Cathedral Wall rises to your right; pause and search for climbers high on this popular crag.
Timberline Falls rushes below Lake of Glass, and reaching the lake requires a fun scramble up wet (or icy) rocks on its far west side. Top out the climb on the windy aquamarine shores of Lake of Glass, then look for cairns to the right that reveal an easy scramble to a trail on rock through krummholz—stunted, twisted fir and spruce trees—above the lake's western shore.
The Cathedral Spires dominate the skyline at Sky Pond. Find a comfy rock and kick back, have a snack, and break out the binoculars to spy on climbers on the Sharkstooth, Petit Grepon, and Saber (left to right).
-Mapped by Jenn Fields
TO TRAILHEAD: From the Beaver Meadows Entrance Station, go south on Bear Lake Road for 9 miles to the Glacier Gorge Parking lot on the left.
| Position Format: | Datum: |
Tracks
Sky Pond
| Distance: 4.07 mi | Points: 274 |
Points of Interest
SKY001
Location: 40.310556, -105.640197From Glacier Gorge Trailhead, hike southwest toward Glacier Creek.
SKY002
Location: 40.308323, -105.642139Cross a bridge over Glacier Creek.
SKY003
Location: 40.307717, -105.643265Bear right at Y-junction, following signs for Loch Vale.
SKY004
Location: 40.303847, -105.638480The trail travels past the popular Alberta Falls. Stop to get a look at this photogenic waterfall that pours over massive boulders. The crowds fade ahead.
SKY005
Location: 40.298428, -105.640060The path rounds a corner and travels above Glacier Creek. From here, you can see the tall knob that divides the entrances to Glacier Gorge and Loch Vale.
SKY006
Location: 40.297473, -105.646108At the Y-junction veer right and follow signs for Loch Vale.
SKY007
Location: 40.294028, -105.654477Turn right at Y-junction.
SKY008
Location: 40.293856, -105.655282The Loch: Many hikers stop at the windswept shores of the Loch. Take in the ragged peaks that form the backdrop, then continue along the trail.
SKY009
Location: 40.288054, -105.664380Cross Andrews Creek, then continue left at the Y-junction. The trail to Andrews Glacier enters on the right.
SKY010
Location: 40.283070, -105.665216Climb up talus and rock ledges; water runs down the rocks along this stretch. Note: This can get icy in early fall, so exercise caution.
SKY011
Location: 40.282505, -105.665281Glass Lake is picturesque, but windy; plan your snack break elsewhere.
SKY012
Location: 40.278658, -105.667813Sky Pond: Kick back in a wind-protected spot and enjoy the view of the Cathedral Spires to the west. Follow the same route back to the trailhead.
Sky Pond
Location: 40.278666, -105.667716© Jenn Fields
Glacier Gorge Trailhead
Location: 40.310556, -105.640175© Jenn Fields
Trail Sign 1
Location: 40.308323, -105.642042© Jenn Fields
Trail Sign 2
Location: 40.307717, -105.643158© Jenn Fields
Aspen Grove
Location: 40.306670, -105.641259© Jenn Fields
Alberta Falls
Location: 40.303847, -105.638266© Jenn Fields
Switchbacks above Alberta Falls
Location: 40.300746, -105.641173© Jenn Fields
Trail Sign 3
Location: 40.299494, -105.639575© Jenn Fields
Above Glacier Creek
Location: 40.298422, -105.639939© Jenn Fields
Junction: Loch Vale-Mills Lake
Location: 40.297473, -105.645990© Jenn Fields
Loch Vale
Location: 40.293873, -105.655153© Ben Fullerton
Steller's Jay
Location: 40.293783, -105.656022© Jenn Fields
Marsh Bridges
Location: 40.289773, -105.662845© Jenn Fields
Cathedral Wall
Location: 40.286041, -105.666193© Jenn Fields
Timberline Falls
Location: 40.284936, -105.666193© Jenn Fields
Rocky Path
Location: 40.284158, -105.665742Talus and slick rock through waterfall. © Jenn Fields
Waterfall Scramble
Location: 40.283062, -105.665098© Jenn Fields
Glass Lake
Location: 40.282497, -105.665163© Jenn Fields
Cathedral Spires
Location: 40.278625, -105.667588© Jenn Fields
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