Sky Pond Trail

Sky Pond Trail delivers one of Rocky Mountain National Park's most dramatic alpine experiences, ascending nearly 1,700 feet over 4.5 miles from the Bear Lake Trailhead into the glacier-carved terrain above timberline. The route passes Nymph and Dream Lakes before branching off toward the Andrews Glacier drainage. A key highlight is Timberline Falls, a cascading 30-foot waterfall that hikers must scramble up via a series of wet rock steps—trekking poles are strongly recommended. Above the falls, the trail opens into the Alberta Falls basin before reaching Glass Lake, a wind-scoured tarn set beneath sheer granite walls. The final destination is Sky Pond, a remote cirque lake surrounded by the Cathedral Spires and resting directly below the Continental Divide. The terrain above timberline is exposed to afternoon thunderstorms, which build rapidly between late June and August; an alpine start before 7 a.m. is strongly advised. The scramble past Timberline Falls requires careful footing when wet or icy. This trail rewards experienced hikers with solitude and scenery surpassing many more famous routes in the park.