Why Sky Pond Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park is One of the Best Hikes In Colorado
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Sometimes Coloradans can be a little nervous about sharing their favorite hikes, and that reticence can sometimes feel a little like gatekeeping. Aren’t the outdoors for everyone? So the fact that I’m going to share one of my favorite hikes in Colorado may feel like blasphemy to some. Still, for me, it’s a wonderful way to share a magical space and moment I had outdoors, in the hope that you may have the opportunity to enjoy it as well.
There are a number of incredible hikes throughout the state with varying degrees of difficulty. But, one of the most notable hikes is the one I’m about to share with you (and it’s under 2 hours away from Denver!)
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How to Hike Sky Pond Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park
This hike is not for folks new to hiking. It is a solidly intermediate level trek at high altitude of almost 10 miles of hiking and an altitude gain of 1,758 feet according to All-Trails. I went on this hike with a POC hiking group, Outdoor Afro, and being in a larger group definitely made completing the hike take a little longer. That day ended up being one of the most magical, impactful, and exciting hiking experiences that I’ve had in years.
What made this experience even more unique was that it rained early in the morning, and fog was still lingering in the valley. That fog made it feel like we were in a movie. Oftentimes, when you’re hiking in Colorado, depending on the time of year, everything is dry, wild, and desolate.
We began our trek at 6:00 am and one thing that I would have done differently was to stay in Estes Park the night before the hike. I ended up driving to the trailhead at 4:00 am in the morning, and it was a little scary driving through the park in the pitch dark. I was worried about going to the wrong trailhead or hitting a deer because wildlife roamed the park and crossed the road when traffic was light and dawn was coming.
Fortunately, the group I was meeting was super lively and I was able to easily find them once I arrived. We began our hike and were slow and steady in our pace. Once the sun came up, the trail took on a different energy, even though it still wasn’t sunny but foggy and misty. What I liked about this hike was that it was a steady elevation gain the entire trail. One thing to be aware of is that towards the end of the hike, there are a few points where you do have to scramble.
Finding the Trailhead and Parking
Sky Pond starts at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead on Bear Lake Road, about 9 miles from the Beaver Meadows Entrance. Just search “Glacier Gorge Trailhead Rocky Mountain National Park” and your GPS will get you there.
It’s important to note that the Glacier Gorge parking lot fills up fast. On summer weekends, it’s full by 5:00 am. If there’s no room left, you can use the Bear Lake parking lot further down the road and hike a half-mile to the trail, or take the free shuttle from the Park & Ride lot near the Beaver Meadows Entrance (it drops you right at the trailhead).
If you plan on going between late May and mid-October, you need a timed entry permit to drive into the Bear Lake Corridor between 5:00 am and 6:00 pm. It’s separate from your park pass but you can get it on recreation.gov. They go pretty quickly, so grab one as early as you can. Shuttle riders don’t need one. Park entry is $30 per vehicle for 1 day (or $35 per vehicle for 7 days), and if you visit more than a couple of national parks a year, the $80 America the Beautiful annual pass pays for itself fast.
What to Bring
Because you’re going above 11,000 feet with a wet scramble in the mix, it’s worth thinking through your gear a little more carefully than your average Front Range hike. Waterproof hiking boots are a good call. The rocks near Timberline Falls are slippery and you’ll definitely need ankle support matters on the way down.
You might want to bring a fleece and a packable rain jacket because temperatures at Sky Pond run 25 to 30 degrees cooler than Denver, and afternoon thunderstorms roll in fast. Try to be off the exposed upper sections of the trail by noon if you can. Carry at least 2 to 3 liters of water, download your AllTrails map offline before you leave, and if you’re going before mid-July or after late September, bring microspikes. The upper trail holds ice longer than you’d expect.
Getting to Rocky Mountain National Park
Colorado has 4 national parks, but the most well-known is Rocky Mountain National Park. There are a few reasons why this is the case. Rocky Mountain National Park is the most accessible of the four parks and is about an hour and half drive from Denver, depending on the traffic. One thing to know is that the summer season is the high season, and to plan accordingly.
The Park has stunning views, numerous other hikes that you can enjoy and wildlife such as elk, deer, bears, moose and more. Don’t try to get close to any of the wildlife (your hiking safety is important). One of my favorite activities during a day trip to the park is to visit the Alpine Visitor Center and walk up Huffers Hill, one of the most beautiful points in the park. I love how quiet it is at the top of the hill as you enjoy what feels like endless views of the entire park. There are several park and hike points that you can enjoy before arriving at the Alpine Center. One thing to be aware of is that Trail Ridge Road closes typically in early October due to snow accumulation and won’t reopen until late spring.
Visitors can also camp in the park and should reserve their camping spots early due to the popularity of the park.
Where to Stay Near Sky Pond Trail
One of the mistakes that I made when planning this trip was driving so early in the morning to get to the trailhead. While many people are ok with that, I’m not a morning person and would have preferred to spend the night at Estes Park and then meet my friends on the trail after a 15 or 20 minute drive into the park versus an hour and half from Denver.
There are a number of nice places that you can stay in Estes Park, a small mountain town at the base of Rocky Mountain National Park. The Stanley Hotel being the most notable place because of the movie The Shining. It’s also haunted, so I prefer to stay somewhere else. The YMCA of the Rockies has affordable accommodation on a beautiful facility but it’s not luxury accommodation.
I love that Estes Park has a river walk, cute little stores and even an Aerial Tramway that I still haven’t checked out even though I’ve visited more times than I can count. There are stables with horseback riding and water activities that you can enjoy on Lake Estes if you’re up for it.
Wrapping Up An Unforgettable Experience
Sky Pond Trail is a magical experience. It shouldn’t just be a day trip but a whole experience of enjoying Rocky Mountain National Park and the town of Estes Park!
Each time I go on a hike I’m not sure what to expect. Sky Pond Trail exceeded my expectations and I’m so excited to explore it again sometime soon.
For more Colorado adventures:
- Looking for a Thru Hike? Consider the Colorado Trail
- Denver to Great Sand Dunes National Park Road Trip
- Denver to White Sands, New Mexico Road Trip
- Denver to Telluride Colorado Road Trip Instead of Rocky Mountain National Park
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Michelle Jackson is passionate about getting outdoors and normalizing POC faces in outdoor spaces. She grew up in Colorado and jokes that she’s a Colorado cliche. With a love of hiking, biking, camping, walking, and snowboarding you can find her doing one of those things throughout the year. She shares her love of Colorado via her blog and podcast Square State.