Sky Pond Private Day Hike
Estes Park, CO
5.0 (7 reviews)Trip Highlights
- Numerous Alpine Lakes & Views
- Wildlife & Wildflowers
- Mountain Cirque
- Top-shelf Backpack & Trekking Poles
- Amazing Natural & Cultural History
- Tasty Trail Snacks & Picnic Lunch
Description
Sky Pond is one of Rocky Mountain National Park’s most breathtaking destinations. Situated just below the Continental Divide, at 11,000 FT in elevation, this region makes one feel as if they are deep in mountain wilderness. The eight mile round trip hike is defined by its outstanding sub-alpine forests, waterfalls, alpine lakes, and wildlife viewing opportunities. The surrounding cliffs and spires are common areas to view rock climbers while we enjoy lunch along the shore line.
This Day Hike Adventure begins with a pick up from your hotel in Estes Park, with a short drive to the Glacier Gorge Trailhead (9,200 FT). Our trail gradually gains elevation while featuring occasional flat sections below the cliffs and along shorelines. The trail stops as we ascend Timberline Falls, to the aptly named Lake of Glass and Sky Pond. At once we are embraced with astonishing views of the Continental Divide and Colorado Front Range. Breaking for a picnic lunch in this mountain cirque is sure to be one of the highlights of your time in Rocky Mountain.
$115-$525 Per Person
Season: July - Oct 15
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 3
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
This hike is a very steep out and back hike on well-maintained trails. The final section to Sky Pond necessitates scrambling up boulders using hands and feet. Early season, June – Mid July can require use of micro spikes to access Sky Pond.
Hiking Distances:
9 mi
Backpack Weight:
8-12 lbs
Terrain:
Moderately Rugged
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:
1780 ft
Heights Exposure:
Moderate
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Hiking uphill or downhill with a 8-12 lb backpack for 7-8 hours
- Maintaining balance and footing on moderately rugged terrain
- Hiking with moderate heights exposure
SOLITUDE LEVEL 3
- Level 1: around other hikers the entire time
- Level 2: around other hikers most of the time
- Level 3: around other hikers some of the time
- Level 4: see a couple other groups during the hike
- Level 5: most likely to have the trail to ourselves
Learn About Our Private Trips
View Private TripsRates
- 1 person: $525
- 2 people: $275 per person
- 3 people: $245 per person
- 4-5 people: $205 per person
- 6-7 people: $175 per person
- 8-10 people: $115 per person
- 10 and younger: $135 per person
Private day hike tours are only open to your party.
*Prices do not include guide gratuity
TRIP DATES & BOOKING
AVAILABLE TO BOOK
This trip is available and bookable online! Click on the date to register now or contact us online to book through our award-winning customer service team!
GOING FAST
This trip has 1 or 2 spots remaining and is bookable online! Click on the date to book now or contact us online to book through customer service.
REQUEST A RESERVATION
This trip is exclusively booked through customer service due to logistics with lodging, permits, staffing, availability, or something else. Please contact us online or call us at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to request a reservation.
The listed dates reflect general availability for Rocky Mountain National Park day hike tours. You will select your exact hike during the registration process. The season for this hike is July – October 15.
Don't see your dates? Call us! We may be able to add new trip dates.
800-715-HIKE (4453)Trip Details
What's Included
- Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
- A commitment to make the tour as exciting, challenging, informative, and full as you’d like, and as is possible in a day
- Transportation to the trailhead and back (originating/ending in Estes Park)
- National park entrance fee
- Trail snacks and a picnic lunch
- Use of a top of the line, technical day pack
- Use of trekking poles
What's Not Included
- Clothing and personal items
- Water (2 liters capacity)
- Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Food: What to Expect
Day hike tours include energizing trail snacks and a delicious picnic lunch. Your guide will customize the food for your hike, but a typical lunch consists of gourmet sandwiches or wraps, fruit, veggies, chips, drinks and a dessert. On wintery or cold days you may be treated to soup or a hot, freshly cooked lunch (if you’d prefer a hot meal, please let us know!)
We regularly accommodate vegan, vegetarian, kosher and non-gluten diets and will make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests may require an additional fee.
Trip Logistics
Where Do We Meet?
Your guide will pick you up from your hotel in Estes Park by 7am or earlier the morning of your hike. If you are traveling into town the day of the tour, you will meet at the Estes Park Mountain Shop – 2050 Big Thompson Ave, Estes Park, CO.
Tours hiking above the tree line or attempting mountain summits will begin before sunrise. An early start is essential for safety to avoid afternoon thunderstorms.
Your guide will contact you approximately one week before your hike to coordinate the exact time and location of your rendezvous in Estes Park, as it may also be affected by weather forecasts.
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval on a case by case basis.
Weather in the Colorado Rockies
Being a high mountain environment, the Rocky Mountains are prone to sudden temperature and weather shifts. This is an exciting aspect of being in Colorado’s high country. On trips in June, snow is a slight possibility, and the rest of the summer rain is always a possibility on your trip. To be fully prepared, please follow the recommended clothing list closely (this list comes as part of your trip packet when you register). See below for average summer temperatures:
AVERAGE TEMPERATURES (FAHRENHEIT)
| Month | High | Low |
|---|---|---|
| June | 71° | 48° |
| July | 79° | 55° |
| August | 78° | 53° |
| September | 69° | 45° |
| October | 61° | 38° |
Trip Reviews
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Jim M
Exceptional Day
A truely exceptional day. Our guide's expertise and prep let us just enjoy the experience and push ourselves enough to make it that much more satisfying. Her friendly enthusiasm for nature was contagious.
Stephanie R
Amazing Day
Wonderful guide and amazing day
Eleanor P
Amazing!
Savannah was amazing - her knowledge about the wildlife and plants/trees was great. She was patient with us and took plenty of breaks allowing us to stay hydrated and catch our breath. I was unsure of my ability to complete the hike due to elevation changes, but her encouragement and expertise on navigating the trickiest parts of the trail helped me finish! Savannah also took note of my dietary restrictions and packed an amazing lunch for us. The view of the Lake of Glass and her perfectly curated lunch was the cherry on top!
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