Sky Pond (10,900′), Front Range
Sky Pond, located in Rocky Mountain National Park, is fed by Taylor Glacier and forms the headwaters of Icy Brook. The lake occupies a cirque formed during advances and retreats of Taylor Glacier.
A little further down, Icy Brook drains into the Lake of Glass, after which the brook tumbles into the valley below as Timberline Falls. You most likely will also pass by Alberta Falls, in Glacier Gorge, on the way.
Trail Stats
- Trailhead: Glacier Gorge
- Round trip: 9 miles / 14.5 km
- Elevation: 9,240′ – 10,900′ / 2,816 m – 3,322 m
- County: Larimer
- Agency: National Park Service
- Nat’l Park: Rocky Mountain
Trail Pictures
Trailhead in Glacier Gorge
Trailhead in Glacier Gorge
First view of Timberline Falls
First view of Timberline Falls
Looking back at the shelter
Looking back at the shelter
Shelter from the wind
Shelter from the wind
Sky Pond feeding Glacier Creek
Sky Pond feeding Glacier Creek
Sky Pond and Taylor Glacier
Sky Pond and Taylor Glacier
Beautiful trail
Beautiful trail
The Sharktooth
The Sharktooth
Shelter under the Sharktooth
Shelter under the Sharktooth
View northeast
View northeast
The Loch and Taylor Glacier
The Loch and Taylor Glacier
Lake of Glass above Timberline Falls
Lake of Glass above Timberline Falls
View northeast of the Lake of Glass
View northeast of the Lake of Glass
First view of Sky Pond
First view of Sky Pond
The Lake of Glass from above
The Lake of Glass from above
The Lake of Glass
The Lake of Glass
Finding the driest way up
Finding the driest way up
Climbing to The Lake of Glass
Climbing to The Lake of Glass
Base of Timberline Falls
Base of Timberline Falls
Timberline Falls in the far distance
Timberline Falls in the far distance
The Loch with Taylor Glacier in the background
The Loch with Taylor Glacier in the background
The Loch
The Loch
One of many moraines
One of many moraines
View towards Taylor Glacier
View towards Taylor Glacier
GPS Route with Elevation
Video Tour
Trail Directions
From the Glacier Gorge trailhead, your first destination is beautiful Alberta Falls, 0.85 miles in. Continuing on past the falls the trail has less traffic as it meanders along pine forests and switchbacks to the North Longs Peak Trail junction, 1.6 miles in.
Follow the signs for the Loch, heading west, climbing through dense forests. Glacier Gorge Junction will appear after the 2.1 mile mark, continue to follow the sign to The Loch. Climb steep switchbacks through heavy forest and you’ll next come upon Andrews Glacier Trail junction, 3.65 miles in. Continue straight (west) on the main trail. The trail eventually levels out at the Loch, 3 miles in at 10,200′.
From the Loch onward, the trail becomes rougher and less used. The trail follows Icy Creek through heavy woods along a canyon. As you walk, the breaks in the trees will reveal Timberline Falls in the distance, your next destination. To reach the alpine lakes, Sky Pond and Lake of Glass, you must climb up the side of the falls, which lies at the 4 mile mark.
Trailhead Directions
The best approach is to head for a relatively dry chute of the waterfall, on the right of the main flow. Scramble to the top, the steepness and wetness making it a challenge. The climb up Timberline Falls is the most difficult part of the route and does not exceed Class 3 in good conditions.
Once on top of Timberline Falls, the environment immediately changes to arctic tundra. The stark Lake of Glass (at the 4.15 mile mark) lies in front of you but the most noticeable effect is the harsher weather. There is a substantial temperature drop and the wind often blows relentlessly. Now is the time to add a layer of clothing and a windproof shell.
From the Lake of Glass, cross smooth granite slabs westward along the shore and pick up the rough trail. The trail follows Icy Brook to a beautiful waterfall and Sky Pond. Reaching Sky Pond, 4.6 miles in, you are at the base of Taylor Glacier and surrounded by Taylor Peak (13,153), Powell Peak (13,208) and The Sharktooth (12,630).