Sky Pond, Lake Haiyah, Emerald Lake Loop in Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

Hike Sky Pond, Lake Haiyah, Emerald Lake Loop Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

Class 2 13.3 miles 2400 gain 5-7 hrs Loop Jul 28, 2015
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Sky Pond, Lake Haiyah, Emerald Lake Loop GPX Track

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A permit is now required to hike the lakes in this popular, beautiful area. It's still unlikely you'll be able to park at the Bear Lake Trailhead, which was the case for me. Instead I parked at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead, but either starting point makes little difference because both are part of this loop.

I headed south along the Glacier Gorge Trail, which passes by Alberta Falls and ascends to The Loch. Along the way I passed the junction with the Lake Haiyah Cutoff Trail which I'll be returnnig to after checking out Sky Pond. The trail to Sky pond passes The Loch, Lake of Glass, and ascends on a slightly less well-maintained trail to my favorite of the lakes I visited on this hike.

I backtracked to the Cutoff trail and took it, taking advantage of a short frolic to Lake Haiyah before continuing north to Dream Lake. I took the excursion out to Emerald Lake before continuing to Bear Lake and following the loop back to my car.

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Along the Glacier Gorge Trail.
Along the Glacier Gorge Trail.
Alberta Falls.
Alberta Falls.
Continuing to The Loch.
Continuing to The Loch.
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The Loch, on the way to Sky Pond.
The Loch, on the way to Sky Pond.
The Loch.
The Loch.
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Image 7 from gallery
Making my way up to Lake of Glass and Sky Pond.
Making my way up to Lake of Glass and Sky Pond.
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View back.
View back.
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Lake of Glass, on the way to Sky Pond.
Lake of Glass, on the way to Sky Pond.
Above Lake of Glass, onward to Sky Pond.
Above Lake of Glass, onward to Sky Pond.
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Along the trail to Lake Haiyah.
Along the trail to Lake Haiyah.
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Image 23 from gallery
Along the Trail to Lake Haiyaha.
Along the Trail to Lake Haiyaha.
Lake Haiyah.
Lake Haiyah.
Image 26 from gallery
Image 27 from gallery
Dream Lake.
Dream Lake.
Nice sunset lighting near Emerald Lake.
Nice sunset lighting near Emerald Lake.
Waterfall along the trail to Emerald Lake.
Waterfall along the trail to Emerald Lake.
Emerald Lake.
Emerald Lake.
Image 32 from gallery
Image 33 from gallery

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!