Sky Pond Private Day Hike
Estes Park, CO
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-$495 Per Person
Season: June - Oct 15
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 2
- Level 1: 2-6 miles, less than 500 feet elevation change on good trails
- Level 2: 3-8 miles, up to 2000 feet of elevation change on good trails
- Level 3: 4-10 miles, up to 3000 feet of elevation change on good to rugged trails
- Level 4: 4-12 miles, up to 4000 feet of elevation change on rugged trails or off trail
- Level 5: 6-16 miles, up to 5,500 feet of elevation change on rugged trails or off trail
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: $495
- 2 people: $245 per person
- 3 people: $215 per person
- 4-5 people: $175 per person
- 6-7 people: $145 per person
- 8-10 people: $115 per person
- 10 and younger: $105 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 June – 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
- A professional, knowledgeable, medically trained, friendly wilderness guide.
- 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 (Required)
- Lightweight hiking shoes or hiking boots
- Waterproof rain jacket or poncho
- Warm wool or fleece top (Spring, Fall)
- Warm hat and gloves (Spring, Fall, Winter)
- Water bottles or bladder (2 liters total capacity)
- Sunhat
What's Not Included (Recommended)
- A cold or frozen bottle of water or Gatorade (Spring, Summer, Fall)
- Sunglasses
- Knee braces (if needed)
- Sunscreen
- Camera
- Gratuity for your guide
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 Considerations
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. We’ve developed comprehensive risk management protocols that our guides adhere to in case of an emergency, and most tours carry a satellite phone. If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Guides
Your tour will be led by a trained, experienced professional with a solid guiding background, years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. Check out our Meet Our Team page for staff bios.
Group Size and Age Restrictions
The maximum group size on this hiking tour is 10 guests. If you have more questions about group size, please give us a call at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) and we’ll answer all your questions.
Age restrictions 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° |
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