Hike Profiles for Rocky Mountain National Park and Surrounding Areas

Sky Pond Text.

Distance: 4.9 miles one-way Lake elevation: 10,620 feet Trailhead elevation: 9,180 feet Net elevation gain: 1,440 feet Glacier Gorge Trailhead Rocky Mountain National Park

McHenrys Peak and Black Lake

The red star in the map above shows the relative location of Sky Pond to RMNP boundaries (in green) and major roads (in gold)

Major Trail Landmarks Alberta Falls (0.8 miles one-way from trailhead) North Longs Peak Trail junction (1.6 miles one-way from trailhead) Junction with Loch Vale / Lake Haiyaha Trails (2.2 miles one-way from trailhead) Mills Lake (2.8 miles one-way from trailhead) Jewel Lake (3.2 miles one-way from trailhead)

Principal Destinations Near Black Lake Blue Lake (5.6 miles one-way from trailhead) - via unmaintained route past Black Lake Green Lake (6.1 miles one-way from trailhead) - via unmaintained route past Black Lake Frozen Lake (6.1 miles one-way from trailhead) - via unmaintained route past Black Lake

Backcountry Campsites Near Black Lake Glacier Gorge [PDF Link] - (3.8 miles one-way from trailhead) - elevation 10,000' - 1 individual site

Glacier Gorge Trailhead is on the east side of the Continental Divide near Bear Lake. From the Beaver Meadows Entrance Station on U.S. Highway 36, head west less than a quarter mile and turn south on Bear Lake Road (toward Moraine Park). Follow Bear Lake Road approximately 9 miles to the small parking area at Glacier Gorge. This lot often fills up early in the morning, especially in summer months. This area is also accessible by the Bear Lake shuttle service when applicable, normally May through October. Note that the Glacier Gorge Trailhead was moved in 2004, resulting in an additional 0.3 miles of hiking distance each way. This change is not reflected in older guidebooks or maps. From the trailhead, hike past Alberta Falls and continue to the junction with the North Longs Peak Trail. At this junction, continue toward Mills Lake and The Loch to a second junction at 2.2 miles from the trailhead. At this junction, take the trail leading toward The Loch (Loch Vale). Follow this trail for 0.X miles to The Loch etc.. Continue along the trail as it leads past t.

Sample photographs of the hike to Black Lake

Jewel Lake

Glacier Creek

Glacier Creek and McHenrys Peak

Looking north from below Black Lake

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All photographs are property of Mike Amfahr and are protected by copyright laws. Topographic map is property of and copyrighted by Maps a la carte, Inc., and is used on this site with permission.