Hike to Sky Pond
Details
Distance
10 miles
Elevation Gain
1780 ft
Route Type
Out-and-Back
Added by Ryan Dewane
Incredible views of Rocky Mountain National Park. Escape all the main crowds below and be in complete solitude. 3 unique and beautiful lakes - The Loch, Glass Lake, and Sky Pond. Camping is available at all 3 lakes if you overnight but it is certainly doable in one day.
Start at the Glacier Gorge trailhead on Bear Lake Road. Parking is limited so it is advised to get there very early. It's a longer hike so plan on taking a full day to complete or stay overnight to enjoy more of the scenery.
Within the first mile on the Glacier Gorge Trail you will pass by Alberta Falls which is a really popular tourist destination. Continue past this to get to the really good stuff and ditch the crowds, looking for and following the junction to Loch Trail. About another 2 miles later you should reach the Loch which is the most scenic and largest lake of the three. You'll find the best campsites here. Continue past Loch Lake and begin a somewhat strenuous climb up to Glass Lake as the Loch Trail turns into Sky Pond Lake Trail. At the last point before you reach Glass Lake a bit of scrambling is involved up some rocks which can be dangerous in icy conditions - step carefully and you will be fine. Sky pond is a short quarter mile walk past this which is the ending point of the hike. Turn around and retrace your steps back to the trailhead and parking lot or set up camp at one of the three lakes.
To get to the trailhead, drive west on Hwy 34 out of Loveland for 30 miles until you reach Hwy 36 where you'll make a left. Drive about 4 miles on Hwy 36, make a final left onto Bear Lake Rd and follow about 8 miles all the way to the Glacier Gorge traihead.
If you need a place to refuel after the hike, head back to Loveland on the 34 and hit up Big Beaver Brewery.
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Reviews
Leave a ReviewAlways a good hike
Always loved this hike. If the light is good, try scrambling to the left a short distance for some photography when you get to Timberline Falls.
5.0
The best hike I have done to date
This hike will leave you breathless for 2 reasons. The altitude and the views. If you choose to do this hike you will not be disappointed. Its one of the best in the RMNP.
5.0
Fav hike in Rocky Mountain
Oh wow, I don't have enough good things to say about this one! I did it for sunrise twice this past summer, and each time, watching the sun come up over the alpine lakes and Rockies was even better than the last. This trailhead area is VERY popular, but once you get past the falls around the first mile, you also get past the crowds. Love everything about it!
5.0
Leave No Trace
Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on.