5 replies to this topic

[MattfromOhio]

Hi- I will be in Denver for a work trip in a couple weeks, and want to sneak in a dayhike, never been to Rocky Mountain National Park. Based on the VERY limited research into hike for waterfalls, the hike to Timberline peaked my interest. Based on the snow discussions all over this forum, wondering if it will be cleared by the middle of August. Thoughts? What about up to Sky Pond or Andrews Glacier, are thease passable without ice or snow gear?

Thanks in advance!
Matt

[mathguy]

MattfromOhio, on 03 August 2011 - 10:33 PM, said:

Hi- I will be in Denver for a work trip in a couple weeks, and want to sneak in a dayhike, never been to Rocky Mountain National Park. Based on the VERY limited research into hike for waterfalls, the hike to Timberline peaked my interest. Based on the snow discussions all over this forum, wondering if it will be cleared by the middle of August. Thoughts? What about up to Sky Pond or Andrews Glacier, are thease passable without ice or snow gear?

Thanks in advance!
Matt

Welcome to the forums.

Based on what I see about the trail conditions on the Park's web site (http://www.nps.gov/romo/) both were
doable, though a bit dicey, without special gear (ice axe & crampons) as of a few days ago. Good boots and
poles seemed to be considered adequate. In another week or so I suspect conditions will continue to improve, so I don't
really think you'll have any major problems with either hike, though I think Sky Pond is a bit easier than
Andrews Glacier (with the exception of the small bit where you have to scurry up along side Timberline
Falls, which can be slippery due to wet rock). Perhaps Igloo Ed will chime in here sometime in which case
you'll get the best info available.

If waterfalls are your thing, the park's web site has other waterfall hikes on the "suggested hikes" link
on its web page, which you may want to look at.

[MattfromOhio]

Thanks for the info. ...Igloo Ed, mathguy.. what names!
Any updates between now and next week would be great!

thanks.
matt

[Igloo Ed]

By the looks of the pictures I'm seeing, a lot of snow has melted this week. I imagine getting to the base of Timberline Falls will still require crossing some snow but it looks as if people are traveling the trails and there are steps in the snow. Just be aware that if you slip off the trail, your chance of rocketing into the rocks is below is real.

[Mark Zemmin]

I am not sure about trail conditions, but I think Sky Pond is one of the prettiest hikes in the whole park.

[eaglerunner25]

I've been to both. We went to the tarn in summer, but that entire valley had snow in it, with recent avalanche debris. The main thing though is that when we were working up to Andrew's Tarn, the snow was steep, and baking in the snow made the footing treacherous. We had yak-traxs, a guy above us had crampons, and they sliced through the snow horribly, he had no traction. It was dicey in the snow conditions we found. On the other hand, it's such a cool trail!

Now, Sky Pond is a classic. Probably one of the single best hikes in the park. You won't go wrong with either, but be prepared for dangerous conditions on the way to the Tarn. At least when we did it, it was seriously sketchy.