RMNP - Sprague Lake to Sky Pond

This was a hike I had planned to do in August.  I've been to Sky Pond a couple of times before, but it has been two years since the last time.  I didn't expect anything to change but I like Sky Pond.  This is a popular trail from either the Bear Lake TH or the Glacier Gorge TH.  I chose to start at the Sprague Lake TH.  This would give about six extra miles in total.

The trail takes you from Sprague Lake along the ridge above Glacier Creek to an intersection with the Glacier Gorge Trail.  The Glacier Gorge trail takes you past the extremely popular Alberta Falls (no picture), then on up to the junction with the Mills Lake trail.  From the junction with Mills Lake trail you proceed to the Loch and on up to Timberline Falls, Glass Lake, and then Sky Pond.

Since it was early September and I was above 9500' the aspens had already started to change their color.

Early Fall colors on the Sprague Lake Trail

This was one tall aspen 

Still colorful wildflowers near Sky Pond

This is a moderate hike, but with some challenging aspects.  The most challenging is the climb alongside Timberline falls.  This is about a forty foot climb on the rocks right next to the waterfall.  It is common for some of the climb to be wet.  It is not a technical climb, but you must be careful.  Another thing is that this area can create quite a traffic jam on busy days.  I didn't have too much of a wait on the way up but waited quite a while for my turn on the way down.  The good thing is that all the hikers make sure and help each other, thus making it a little less daunting for the less experienced.

Sky Pond sits in a cirque formed by Thatchtop (12668'), Powell Peak (13208'), Taylor Peak (13153'). and the Sharkstooth (12829').

Powell Peak

It is also the home of Taylor Glacier.  Sky Pond sits in the bottom of the cirque.

Sky Pond looking southwest

Sky Pond near outlet

Southwest shore of Sky Pond

Sky Pond from just below the climb to Taylor Glacier

While nearly all the mountains in RMNP are spectacular, I find the Sharkstooth one of the most fascinating formations in the park.  You can just imagine entire sections of the mountain falling into the cirque.  Really cool!

Sharkstooth (1)

Sharkstooth (2)

Sharkstooth (3)

I'm not sure if it is still ok, but when we first visited Sky Pond in 2000, there were several climbers attempting various routes on the Sharkstooth.

The outlet of Sky Pond has a nice, small waterfall (much smaller than Timberline Falls).

Outlet Falls (1)

Outlet Falls (2)

This hike was a little different from most in that I spent quite a bit of time at Sky Pond, bouldering around and exploring various other parts of the shoreline and miscellaneous routes back to the main trail.

I felt good about this hike because I wasn't too tired at the end, did a few things different, and visited one of my favorite spots.  All in all a great day.

Overall Track Statistics for RMNP - SpragueSkyPond,   2068 data points

 Length 14.450 miles  :  Garmin Length 16.251 miles

 Start Elevation - 8548.79 feet

 Maximum Elevation - 10937.04 feet

 Minimum Elevation - 8546.10 feet

 Date of Hike - Sep 12, 2016

 Start Time - 08:58 AM

 End Time - 03:50 PM

 Total Duration -     6:52 hours:min

 Total Ascent - 3529.36 feet

 Total Descent - 3438.12 feet

 Net Ascent - 91.24 feet

 Maximum Grade - 34.51%

 Average Speed -  2.10 mph :  Garmin Average Speed  2.36 mph

 Maximum Ascent over Mile - 720.64 feet

 Maximum Speed over Mile -  2.90 mph

 Maximum Gain over Mile (%) - 10.99%