13 replies to this topic

[OklaHiker]

This is a report from my recent trip to RMNP over Labor Day weekend. On Sunday, our second day in the park, I decided to take my wife, Cindy, and my 14 year old nephew, Adam, on a hike in Glacier Gorge. The plan was to hike up to The Loch, eat lunch and then continue on to Timberline Falls, Glass Lake and Sky Pond. My wife and I had been to The Loch a couple years ago but we hadn’t gone any further.

We arrived at the Glacier Gorge trailhead at 10:30AM or so, which was later than I wanted to by a few hours. The parking lot was full at the trailhead to so we had to take the shuttle up to GG Trailhead. I will say that Estes Park and RMNP were the busiest I’ve EVER seen them around this weekend. I’ve been in the RMNP area over Labor Day weekend 4 out of the last 5 years and I have never seen it this busy. Traffic in Estes Park was horrible – took forever to get anywhere.

Anyway, I digress… We took off on the trail up to Alberta Falls. This was Adam’s first time to hike really anywhere so it was all a new experience for him. It was a beautiful day… warm, sunny and pretty much perfect. We arrived at Alberta Falls and took the obligatory photos with lots of people in the background.



Then on we went up the trail. As a flatlander Okie, I usually really feel the altitude the first time I go out on the trail but this day I felt great. There was the expected shortness of breath at times, but I didn’t have a headache, any nausea or anything. This actually continued the whole I we were on vacation, something for which I am thankful.

One of my favorite sections of trail in the park.


I kept preaching at Adam and Cindy to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.



I thought about going down to the creek in that photo and following it up to the Loch just to see if I could get there more quickly than Cindy and Adam following the trail but I decided not to. Next time I’m on this trail I’ll do that.

We finally made it to the Loch and found a lunch spot. We ate lunch, filtered some water and relaxed for almost an hour.


Cindy at the Loch


Continued...

Edited by OklaHiker, 09 September 2010 - 11:59 PM.

[OklaHiker]

We then headed up the trail toward Timberline Falls. This is a pleasant trail that follows water pretty much the entire way. I love trails along mountain streams just for the sound of rushing water.

My backside makes a special appearance


We saw some elk just off the trail


Adam



As we got nearer to Timberline Falls Cindy got a pounding headache and Adam was just worn out. They both decided they didn’t want to continue any further up the trail so I continued on solo.

Me, right about where I left Cindy and Adam.




The trail gets pretty steep as you approach Timberline Falls; it’s quite the flight of stairs. Here are a few photos of the falls and trail up them.

Timberline Falls


This sign cracked me up. Sky Pond, just to the right


Continued...

Edited by OklaHiker, 10 September 2010 - 12:04 AM.

[OklaHiker]

Up at the top of Timberline Falls, looking back.


Glass Lake or Lake of Glass. Regardless, there was nothing glassy about it as the wind was gusting pretty hard up there.


Continuing on the trail to Sky Pond.


I really enjoyed hiking up above the falls to Sky Pond. There’s just something about being up above tree line with big mountains all around that I enjoy. I finally made it up to Sky Pond.

Sky Pond


Cathedral Spires (I guess that’s what they’re called)


Me holding my hat from blowing into Sky Pond.


The wind was gusting VERY strong up at Sky Pond. I had to brace myself against it or else it would move me, and I’m not a lightweight guy. I hung around up there for a little while and then hiked out. I filtered some water at the Loch and then met up with Cindy and Adam at the Glacier Gorge trailhead.

The Sky Pond hike was a great hike on a great day in the park. I’m not really sure why I hadn’t done it before this year. I really enjoyed being out in the beautiful Rocky Mountains with my wife and my nephew. It was great to allow Adam to see some parts of nature he’d never really seen before on one hike: beautiful water falls, abundant wildlife and clear mountain lakes.

Edited by OklaHiker, 10 September 2010 - 12:08 AM.

[soatley]

Beautiful day. I'm glad you were able to continue on to Sky Pond. I'm sure the others felt better the next day.

Sandy O

[Rhonda]

Bravo!

I've never been to Sky Pond. It is definitely on my list to do. But I want someone experienced with me to help me get up and down Timberline Falls, as I am petrified of heights and exposure.

You may have introduced your young nephew to something he will come back to throughout his life, or if not, just something he will always remember and cherish. I hope to do that for my grandsons when they are older, just like I did for their daddy.

[John]

Excellent report! What a fun hike!

[kadeycat]

Rhonda,

I have wanted to hike to Sky Pond for a few years now. Maybe we can try it together sometime next summer. Sure would be a great group hike 'cept I go pretty slow. But I'm mighty persistent. Flattop & Twin sisters was a great triumph for me last year.

[Lynette]

OklaHiker, on 09 September 2010 - 11:58 PM, said:

One of my favorite sections of trail in the park.

Me, too! I think that goes for almost any park I've ever hiked in. I LOVE that section of trail. Especially going the other direction.

Great report. It's nice to see pictures that were so similar to mine, but at a different time of year, When we went, Dave left me at the same place you left your wife and nephew. I wasn't going to try climbing the snowfield we had heard others had fallen on, But Daniel ended up talkng me into going "just a little further" then "just a little more" until I was up at the top. I was so glad he did.

[hector]

Excellent report, Brandon! We took our nephew to RMNP when he was 10, and although I don't think he had a great time back then (although I'm sure it was sort of fun for him), I think the seed took root. He has been asking us for the past 3 years to take him again. Hopefully this winter we'll take him skiing and snowshoeing.

Hey, I think I've seen the log that Adam is sitting on before...



That's kind of crazy! I wonder how many other people stop at that log and frolic.

[zzcoop]

Great report. Takes me right back. I may or may not have done that hike last weekend as well…

[Monica]

I loved your report and pictures. I've been to Sky Pond 4 times and loved it each time. Two years ago this time of year it was very windy, as you described. We didn't stay long due to the wind. I felt like I could blow into the Lake of Glass.

[mathguy]

OklaHiker, on 10 September 2010 - 12:06 AM, said:

The Sky Pond hike was a great hike on a great day in the park. I’m not really sure why I hadn’t done it before this year. I really enjoyed being out in the beautiful Rocky Mountains with my wife and my nephew. It was great to allow Adam to see some parts of nature he’d never really seen before on one hike: beautiful water falls, abundant wildlife and clear mountain lakes.

Sky Pond has become one of my favorite hikes and it was nice to revisit it through your great
pictures. Thanks for posting (and "Boomer Sooner" too).

[iceberg]

Rhonda, on 10 September 2010 - 06:43 AM, said:

Bravo!

I've never been to Sky Pond. It is definitely on my list to do. But I want someone experienced with me to help me get up and down Timberline Falls, as I am petrified of heights and exposure.

Add it to the list. I'll drag you up & down. We can even go Ed's way to make it interesting.

hector, on 10 September 2010 - 07:48 AM, said:

Hey, I think I've seen the log that Adam is sitting on before...

I'm taking off my boots - things are about to get WILD!!!!!

[MisterIce]

Awesome hike and pictures - looks like everyone had a great time! I want to go to Sky Pond!