Trails · Rocky Mountain National Park · Glacier Gorge
Sky Pond Trail
The waterfall-scramble classic of Glacier Gorge — past Alberta Falls and The Loch, up the wet-rock ledges beside Timberline Falls, over Lake of Glass to Sky Pond, ringed by the jagged spires of the Cathedral group.
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Sky Pond is the trophy at the head of Glacier Gorge, and getting there is half the thrill. From the Glacier Gorge trailhead on Bear Lake Road, the trail climbs past Alberta Falls, swings into Loch Vale, and reaches The Loch at about three miles — a stunning lake in its own right, backed by the Cathedral Wall. Most of the way is a steady, moderate climb through subalpine forest with the walls of the gorge closing in around you.
Above The Loch the route turns serious: it climbs to the foot of Timberline Falls and then up the falls themselves, a Class 2–3 scramble over wet, sloping rock ledges that is the crux of the whole hike (dangerous when icy — often into July). Top out and you reach Lake of Glass, then a short walk more to Sky Pond at about 10,900 feet, cupped beneath the Sharkstooth, the Petit Grepon, and the Cathedral spires. It's roughly 8.5 miles round trip with 1,790 feet of gain. National Park land: no dogs, timed-entry usually required in summer, and this is real mountain terrain — start early.
Trail Facts
Difficulty
Difficult (waterfall scramble)
To Sky Pond
~4.25 mi one-way (~8.5 mi round trip)
Sky Pond
~10,900 ft
Elevation Gain
~+1,790 ft
Crux
Timberline Falls — Class 2–3 wet-rock scramble
Bikes
Not allowed (National Park)
Dogs
Not allowed (National Park)
Season
Summer–early fall (ice into July)
Highlights
Alberta Falls · The Loch · Lake of Glass
Manager
Rocky Mountain National Park
Getting There
From Estes Park, enter RMNP and take Bear Lake Road to the Glacier Gorge Trailhead (a small lot that fills before dawn — use the free Bear Lake shuttle). A timed-entry + Bear Lake Road permit is usually required in summer. No water at the trailhead.
| 0.0 mi | Glacier Gorge Trailhead (Bear Lake Road) |
| 0.8 mi | Alberta Falls |
| ~3.0 mi | The Loch (Loch Vale) |
| ~3.7 mi | Timberline Falls — scramble the wet ledges (crux) |
| ~4.0 mi | Lake of Glass |
| 4.25 mi | Sky Pond — beneath the Cathedral spires |
Know Before You Go
- The Timberline Falls scramble is the crux. Class 2–3 over wet, sloping rock — genuinely dangerous when icy (often into July). Turn back if it's iced.
- National Park rules. No dogs; timed-entry + Bear Lake Road permit usually required in summer.
- Arrive before dawn. The Glacier Gorge lot fills in the small hours — use the shuttle.
- Real alpine. ~8.5 miles at altitude with a scramble — be fit, acclimated, and off high ground before afternoon storms.
- Carry water. Treat any you draw.
Built by Many Hands — Give a Little Back
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- Google & USGS — trailhead location, ratings & topographic maps
Trail details compiled by the Red Feather Lakes Travel Guide from the sources above. Photography by us — more of our own trail images coming as we hike them.