Estes Park, Colorado
Sky Pond via Glacier Gorge
Climb past two waterfalls to a turquoise tarn beneath dramatic spires.
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Length
- 9.4 mi
- Elevation Gain
- 1,780 ft
- Duration
- 5–7
- Best Season
- Jul–Sep
- Permit
- Required
- Dogs
- Not allowed
- Features
- Alpine lake, Waterfall scramble
About the trail
Sky Pond sits in a cirque beneath the Sharkstooth and Petit Grepon — granite spires that look airlifted from Patagonia. The trail passes Alberta Falls, Loch Vale, and Timberline Falls, where a short Class 2 scramble up the falls leads to Lake of Glass and finally Sky Pond.
Trailhead map & directions
Trailhead: 40.2867, -105.6717Get directions →
Turn-by-turn route
- Reserve a Bear Lake corridor timed entry permit for Rocky Mountain NP.
- Park at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead.
- Hike past Alberta Falls (0.8 mi) and The Loch (2.7 mi).
- Climb to Timberline Falls and scramble up the rocky chute beside the falls.
- Pass Lake of Glass to reach Sky Pond at 4.7 miles.
Parking
Glacier Gorge Trailhead lot — fills before 6 AM. Use the Park & Ride shuttle if full.
Tips from the trail
- The Timberline Falls scramble is dangerous when wet or icy — turn back if uncomfortable.
- Timed entry permit required for Bear Lake corridor late May–mid October.
- Summit by noon to beat afternoon thunderstorms.
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