Rocky Mountain National Park Sky Pond

Timberline Falls is located along the trail to Sky Pond in Rocky Mountain National Park. Tell us when your experience with this trail happened. Your way back to the trailhead the same way you came in.

The long distance, elevation gain, and altitude make this a tough hike. If you have not already spent time in Colorado adjusting to the altitude, I recommend that you spend a day or two acclimating to the higher elevation. Emerald Lake, Deer Mountain, and Gem Lake are good warm-up hikes. The trail to Sky Pond starts on the right-hand side of the Lake of Glass. You will hike/rock scramble up some large boulders.

Trail Facts

Her positive, calm personality gave us just the right amount of push to reach our final destination – Skye Pond. The views were spectacular throughout the hike, and the family bonding time is just what we needed after a stressful year! We used Wildland Trekking on our last vacation to North Carolina as well, and had an equally awesome hike! Highly recommend for those that love the outdoors. Make your way along the Glacier Gorge Trail for a little bit. Just under a mile in, you’ll pass Alberta Falls.

3.4 miles in, hikers reach the junction of Sky Pond and Andrew’s Glacier. To the left is Mills Lake and Black Lake, to the far right, hikers will head towards the Sky Pond via the Loch Vale Trail. Most people hike to just see the falls then turn around. The avid hikers will continue on to Sky Pond so you’re likely to lose a lot of the crowd after this point.

Sky Pond And Lake Of Glass Hike

If you’re lucky you’ll have it to yourself for a while like we did. Lake of Glass was the most impressive lake in my opinion. The turquoise blue water and close proximity to high mountains made you feel more enclosed. In September my friends and I didn’t experience as much flowing water as ice- so be careful! If you are afraid of heights this will be where you either turn around or conquer your fears. If you plan on visiting a National Park within the U.S. more than 2x a year it would be worth your money to purchase the annual pass.

Closer in on the right is the bulk of Thatchtop Mountain. Take some time to enjoy this brilliant slice of the park. At roughly 2.8 miles in, you’ll reach Loch Vale, AKA The Loch. This sub-alpine lake is the first of two lakes you’ll pass en-route to Sky Pond.

You know those adventures that go spectacularly, end up being better than you could have ever expected, and leave you on an adventure high afterwards? If you manage to get above Timberline Falls, you’ll soon hike upon Lake of Glass which as a matter of fact was named accordingly. Receive my FREE SOLO TRAVEL BUCKET LIST and start your journey now. This trip has 1 or 2 spots remaining and is bookable online! Click on the date to book now or contact us online to book through customer service.

It’s easy hiking here, you will cross several split log bridges over creeks, and the forest is beautiful and quiet. 2.3 miles into the hike you reach Loch Lake, a very pretty lake. The trail follows around the right side of the lake, through Loch Vale, and levels out for a little bit. Enjoy it, because once you get past Loch Vale, the climbing begins again.

The impacts of nitrogen deposition in lakes and streams grow worse over time as the natural buffering capability of the soil and rock is used up. Eventually, chronic acidification can lead to the loss of many aquatic organisms and entire fish populations. As experience in the northeastern U.S., Canada, and Europe has shown, these changes can be almost impossible to reverse. And you will reach Sky Pond nestled in the base of the cliffs. There is usually snow in the grooves of the cliffs to create a beautiful view. If you started at dawn, you can enjoy some serenity before the mass of day snowshoers and hikers start to arrive at this wonderful place.

To do this, take the trail to Mills Lake and Black Lake at the Mills Lake Junction. About a half mile later, you will reach the Loch and Mills Lake Junction. You can take one of two trailheads to reach Sky Pond.

“The Loch” is the perfect place to post up for a break and hangout while having some snacks. I highly recommend exploring out onto the little peninsula for a closer, unobstructed view of the lake. Due to the the hike’s popularity, the trail is well maintained and easy to follow at first. Your guide will pick you up from your hotel in Estes Park by 7am or earlier the morning of your hike. If you are traveling into town the day of the tour, you will meet at the Estes Park Mountain Shop –2050 Big Thompson Ave, Estes Park, CO. This hike is a very steep out and back hike on well-maintained trails.

To continue on towards Sky Pond hikers should stay to the left at this junction. Roughly one-quarter of a mile from the parking area, just after crossing Chaos Creek, the trail briefly converges with the Glacier Creek Trail. After walking a very short distance the Glacier Creek Trail splits off to the right and heads toward Bear Lake. To continue on towards Sky Pond hikers should turn left at this junction. Now on the Sky Pond Trail, after almost another half mile, you’ll reach the base of the impressive Timberline Falls.

How hard would you say the waterfall climb/scramble is? I have no rock climbing experience or anything and have a tendency to trip/slip while hiking so just the look of that waterfall seems kinda daunting. If you still have a little energy left in your legs, you can make the detour to Mills Lake.

Jake WheelerAfter enjoying a quick break at the Loch, continue to follow the trail around the right-side of the shoreline for the final half of the hike to Sky Pond. The beginning portion of the hike doesn’t get much sunlight, so it often has snowpack late into the summer season. Sky Pond Colorado is certainly a noteworthy destination. As one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in Colorado, it’s well worth a visit. But before you go, keep these quick Colorado hiking tips in mind. To the right is the trail to Andrews Glacier, but you want to stay straight towards Lake of Glass.