Rocky Mountain National Park's Sky Pond Trail

Sky Pond Trail

Description:
The Sky Pond Trail begins about half way around The Loch along the north side at an elevation of 10,180 feet and ends at Sky Pond at 10,900 feet. The trail is fairly level as it travels around The Loch. It stays in the trees and then heads up along Icy Brook. Here the trail surface is rough in spots due to exposed rocks and tree roots. The trail begins to climb soon after leaving the lake. There are some nice pools in the stream that may hold fish. The trail intersects the Andrews Glacier Trail about a half mile from its beginning. From here the trail crosses a number of swampy areas over log bridges. As you climb higher up the valley you begin to hear the roar of Timberline Falls. The trail enters a large boulder field where it can be a little faint. Just keep climbing in the direction of the falls and you'll pick it up again.

The trail gets steeper as you get closer to the falls. You get great views of The Loch and Loch Vale from the falls. You can get good pictures of the falls by wading the shallow stream below the falls. To get to Glass Lake above the falls you must climb up through the rocks to the right of the falls. Be careful here as the rocks can be slippery when wet. Glass Lake lies just above the falls in a rock cirque framed by Taylor and Powell peaks.

Sky Pond is located about .4 miles southwest of Glass Lake. The trail around Glass Lake is not well marked. You must pick your way through the rocks on the right side of the lake and over the rise to Sky Pond. Although not long at less than 1.2 miles, this trail can be quite strenuous at times.

Features:

Length:	1.17 miles (1.88 kilometers)
Elevation Range:	10,178' - 10,902'
Elevation change:	1,801 feet
Season:	Jun 15- Oct 15
Difficulty:	Moderate
Use:	Low to moderate
USGS maps:	McHenrys Peak
Trailheads:	Glacier Gorge Junction
Restrictions:	No pets are permitted
Suitable for mountain bikes:	No (not permitted)
Suitable for horses:	No

Vicinity Map

Altitude Profile

Directions:
The Sky Pond Trail is reached via the Loch Vale Trail. This trail begins from the Glacier Gorge Junction Trailhead. Take Highway 36 from the Beaver Meadows Entrance to the Bear Lake Road. Follow Bear Lake Road for about 7.7 miles to the trailhead. The trailhead has room for 27 vehicles and fills up early. No roadside parking is permitted for a half mile on either side of the trailhead. There are restrooms and trash bins at the trailhead. Take the Loch Vale Trail for about 2.6 miles to the Sky Pond Trail. This trail begins on the west side of The Loch.

Order Rocky Mountain Trails CD

Return to Rocky Mountain National Park Trails