Sky Pond and Glacier Knobs.

I'd been wanting to go for something big this week, but when the suggestion of Sky Pond came up, a shorter day felt ok.  Plus I had two attempts and two failures at this body of water over the winter, and wanted to get to it quite badly.  

On my most recent attempt in early April, I encountered quite slushy snow conditions on the way back, and I remembered thinking, "This will be good to go in a week or two.  Unless it snows again."  And then we went on to have one the snowiest Aprils on record. 

Alberta Falls now melted out and spectacular. 

We encountered this guy and later a female around East Glacier Knob.  No calves were seen, but just keep your eyes open.  He did not want to give up the trail, but I found my deer removal technique (which is to skitter a rock along the ground in front of them) worked well here, despite my bad aim. 

Looking up to Loch Vale- similar view here in winter.

At The Loch.  The predominate rock face in the middle separates the way to Sky Pond (left) and the way to Andrews Glacier (right).

Here is Dan ascending the standard route, which had previously been buried in snow and had corniced snow atop it.  There is still some lingering snow and ice, and the waterfall has wet some of the rock as well, making things a bit slippery.  Use caution!
You circle around Glass Lake, hop a little talus, and then....

Powell Peak as seen from Sky Pond.  It was nice to finally be here after several attempts!

And I sighted the first Marmot of the year, and witnessed it apparently eating lichen off of some of the rocks in the area.  Either that, or they eat rocks.

Dan remarked that Powell Peak is the only peak on this region of the divide which he has not done yet.  Which means we will probably be on top of it soon.

Taylor Peak.

From looking at the zero feet of snow right next to it, this snowfield appeared to be about 12 feet deep. 

Glass Lake was quite pretty as well.

Back down to The Loch and beyond.
Dan had a big day on Sunday, ascending McHenrys Peak, one of the hardest in the park.  I had earlier suggested adding on Glacier Knobs since we go right by them and had talked about doing them at some point.  It was only now that he said yes.

Timberline Falls.
I have described how to find West Glacier Knob here.  It can be a bit tricky, as there are two high points in this area, and the western one of those looks like it is higher.  But West Glacier Knob is actually the eastern high point here.

Hopefully that explains it a little better.

A little guy came out to look at us longingly as we snacked. 

Back up to Loch Vale.

And into Glacier Gorge, Half Mountain and Storm Peak visible on the ridge line extending from Longs.
We got back down to the trail and continued down.  Shortly after reaching the fire trail, we started our ascent of East Glacier Knob. 

We ran into this cow Elk pretty close to where we saw the male.  We took cover behind a rock in case there was a baby around, but all she did was look at us.  We made our way through the forest opposite her direction.
While there is a class two way up, we decided to tackle a more direct route that was in the fourth class, which added some fun adventurous scrambling to the day. 

Krumholtz looking like a large Bonzai with Glacier Gorge in the background.

This is a great shorter but still somewhat challenging ascent, which offers very rewarding views of the surrounding locale.

Don't slip!  We headed north to find the second class ramps that head up the mountain.  Easier going, but just as exposed.
I didn't pay attention to the time when we got back to the car, but it was early afternoon.  A refreshing beverage was had before we started to make our way down.  Every week we can see an increase in the amount of cars in the parking lots, more people on the trails, and many more people in Estes Park.
It was great to get to Sky Pond after several attempts.  It does offer a very pretty place to have a bite to eat and relax for awhile.  There is still snow covering the trail once you pass The Loch, but the way is pretty well beat in and relatively posthole free.  Glacier Knobs are fun and really do not add that much more difficultly and do offer a great view and sense of reward (particularly the East one).  Consider checking those out next time you are up this way!
Sky Pond and Glacier Knobs:
Sky Pond: 4.4 miles one way, 1720 foot gain.  Moderate +.
Glass Lake: 4.2 miles one way, 1640 foot gain.  Moderate +.
Timberline Falls: 3.9 miles one way, 1300 foot gain. Moderate.
The Loch: 2.9 miles one way, 1000 foot gain.  Moderate.
West Glacier Knob: 2.6 miles one way, 1100 foot gain.  Moderate.
East Glacier Knob: 2.3 miles one way, 1045 foot gain.  Moderate.  Second class at least.

Loch Vale in the winter.

I met up with Dan in Lyons again this past Tuesday.  The drive up to Estes was pretty mellow.  Our plan was to attack the entire Loch Vale drainage, ending up at Sky Pond.  

Some of our talk on the way up centered around the avalanche last weekend that killed one person and left author Lisa Foster injured.  Of course, always a reminder that even the most experienced persons can get into trouble.  We decided to proceed and keep an eye on the slopes around us with avalanche conditions listed as considerable.  My condolences to the family of Mr. Laurienti and wishes for a speedy recovery to Ms. Foster.

Also weighing somewhat heavily on my mind was the passing of a friend and someone who has been a major inspiration in my life last Saturday, the 15th.  After a long fight with an incurable genetic illness, he ended his own life.

Alberta Falls, not falling.

Views await....

Fortunately at our lower and more sheltered elevation, we were not exposed to the full force of the wind.  Looking at the snow blown off these peaks makes me feel chilly!

This is the final part of the hike to The Loch.  Shortly after, you'll reach the lake.

At the lake the wind was ripping, and we quickly made our way around it to find some shelter in the trees for a snack.  Up until now, there had been just a few inches of new or blown snow over an obvious packed trail.  We were just in boots the whole way up.  But the packed trail was less defined on the other side of the lake, with more snow on top.  Postholing ensued.  Soon we stopped and put on our snowshoes.

Last week I didn't feel great, but this week my legs were ready, and I was happy to take a turn in the front and break trail.

Saw this frozen boot print standing at a 90 degree angle to the snow surface.

Looking back down the gorge.
We got to the part of the trail that would normally require a short scramble up some rocky stuff to continue on.  The standard route here was looking worse and worse the closer we got.

In the end, we identified 3 possible routes up.  The standard in blue had corniced snow and scrambling, the red and green both crossed steep snow fields.  We talked and both agreed Sky Pond would have to wait for another day.  It's disappointing to not be able to obtain a goal, but of course it'll be there next time, and it's better to err on the side of caution.

The Loch from above.

Back at The Loch we started to see a few people.  The wind had calmed down a bit and I was able to get a few photos.

Water, water, everywhere,
Nor any drop to drink.

The surface of the lake was mindbending.  Frozen, cracked, melted, refrozen.
At this point we decided to take a trip over to Mills Lake.

Shortly after, at Mills Lake, aka "Sexy Lake".  Seriously, search Google Images for the phrase sexy lake.  This is one of the few actual sexy lakes that comes up!

But all jest aside, this really is one of the most beautiful and accessible lakes in the park.
Traffic picked up on the way back to the parking lot.  I love seeing families out, little kids with snowshoes strapped to their feet.

This cool looking tree was along the trail on the way back.
We got back to the parking lot, which was now almost full!  I guess that will only get worse as the season goes on.  But, not really a concern for me since I am usually there by dawn.
Despite not obtaining our ultimate goal for the day, it was still a fun day in the park, as I'd say pretty much any day in the park is.
In loving memory of Shannon Larratt.
The Loch via Glacier Gorge TH:
2.9 miles one way, 1000 foot gain.  Moderate.

The high lakes of Glacier Gorge.

Last week we set out aimed at some of the higher lakes of Glacier Gorge.  This is a sector of RMNP that I have not hiked in much if at all, and a fun change from Wild Basin.
The drive up was mellow, and it was pleasant to start a bit later.  We did briefly get stuck in the Bear Lake Road construction, but were soon able to follow a spotter vehicle up the road.
We started off from the trailhead a little after 730am on October 24.  Our ultimate goal for the day was Black Lake, but we decided if we felt good, my leg felt good, and the weather held (this was the day during/before our first winter storm of the year), we might hit some of the others.   
Early morning on the Glacier Gorge trail.

Soon we reached Alberta Falls.  As Lisa Foster says, "This is a good hike for children and anyone desiring a short, rewarding hike in RMNP."  And I have hiked here before with my parents from Bear Lake on the advice of a park ranger. 

Albert Falls.
Low clouds in the early morning and throughout the day made from some impressive looking photos.

Peaks in the mist.

Somewhere, sometime.
We passed through an area that must've seen a high wind event at some point in the past year.  As always, it was amazing to see these huge trees snapped like toothpicks and torn out of the ground like blades of grass.

 At 5.4 miles round trip, Mills Lake is a destination I'd definitely consider visiting if you haven't already. 

Just look at it!  That is one sexy lake!

Looking up the Gorge to oblivion.
Our destination was farther on, higher up.  Into the clouds we headed.   

Chiefs Head/Pagoda couloir.
Next up was Black Lake.  This is a pretty cool sub-alpine lake (10620 ft.) and at 4.9 miles each way, entirely reasonable for a higher elevation but shorter hike in RMNP.

Arrowhead as seen from Black Lake.

More Black Lake.

Arrowhead (12640+ ft) will be on the list for next year.

From here, the trail winds around the lake and travels up, up, and away.  These granite benches will be on your right.  During warmer months, I bet these cascades are quite pretty.  During colder months they are pretty as well, but in a different way.

A cleared view of Arrowhead and McHenrys Peak as we rise above Black Lake.
Once we gained the drainage above Black Lake the trail became harder to see, and not as well marked.  There was a bit of snow which didn't help.  And a wealth of cairns, many of which appeared to lead to nowhere.  It may very well be easier to find your way in the summer months, but outside of that, it is still easy to find your way.
The Spearhead is the large triangular shaped tower in front of Chiefs Head.  Simply find your way to its right to get to Frozen Lake, or to the left to get to Green Lake.

A later goal of Blue Lake seen from near Frozen Lake.

At Frozen Lake (11580 ft), which as you can see, was not yet Frozen. 

A small yet scenic bowl.

Mummy Range beyond.

Some delicate ice starting to form around the edges of the lake.

Up from Frozen Lake to Chiefs Head Peak.
From Frozen Lake we decided to make our way around The Spearhead and drop down to Green Lake.  Actually we thought we wouldn't have to drop down, and stayed fairly high around the bottom of the cliff face, only to discover a descent awaiting us on the other side.

The Spearhead certainly looks as though it could hold some fun climbing routes.  Not sure if anything is established there as of yet.

Keyboard of the Winds, Pagoda Mountain, Chiefs Head/Pagoda couloir as seen from above Green Lake.

Dan dropping down to Green Lake (11540 ft).  Longs Peak in the background.

The Spearhead as seen from Green Lake.
I was just awe struck with the supreme alpine beauty of this bowl.  It is a must hike in my opinion.  Here are a bunch of pictures.

Keyboard of the winds.

Pagoda Mountain.

Chiefs Head Peak.

The Spearhead.

More The Spearhead.

Looking almost due east.

The moraine to the immediate south.

Back up to Longs and Keyboard of the Winds.

Pagoda looming over Green Lake.  This is the only peak surrounding Wild Basin that I have not climbed.

Looking back at Green Lake as we move on.

A panorama shot from Green Lake showing the peaks surrounding the bowl.
We did this hike on October 24, which was the night we got our first snow of the season.  The lower clouds rolling in here made for some awesome photos and light snow.

Mummy Range and points lower now in clouds.
We decided rather than go down and attempt to find a trail, we would try to head directly towards Blue Lake and maintain a constant elevation.  This worked pretty well.

Ice forming over rock on the north side of Longs Peak.

Dan approaching Blue Lake.

Blue Lake (11,140 ft).
Clouds we starting to blow up into the Gorge before reaching a certain elevation and swirling up into nothingness.  It was very pretty.

Dan in front of Arrowhead.

Making our way down to the lake, where we found all the ice that has formed so far blown to the east side of the lake.

Blue Lake with Chiefs Head Peak in the background.

McHenrys and Arrowhead as seen from Blue Lake.

Keyboard of the Winds, Pagoda Mountain.

Yours truly.
We stopped to eat lunch behind a wind block slightly north of the lake.  The swirling clouds continued to amaze and delight us, making each moment a photograph.

The sun struggling to poke out.

Unforgettable views.

Eventually, we got up and continued on our way.  We worked back in a north westerly direction, bypassing some steep but short drop offs, and the drainage from Blue Lake.  We found the trail back to Black Lake and on we went.

McHenrys Peak.

Can't get enough of the clouds!

Looking back up from farther down.

Descending to Black Lake.

Almost there, slightly reflective.
Of course, from here on out the hiking was rather easy and all downhill.  We took the Fire Trail back to the trail head, which cuts a little distance off the hike. 

Stopped at Mills Lake in the afternoon.  The low clouds have now completely obscured the view up.
This was a rather fun hike!  Great views abound, and though you do go above treeline, you start higher when compared to Wild Basin.  Movement at elevation is no less difficult, but it takes less time to get there.
The views from the bowl around Green Lake are spectacular, and this would put it high on my list of best places to be in RMNP.
The high lakes of Glacier Gorge:
Mills Lake (9940 ft): 2.7 miles one way, 760 foot gain.  Moderate.
Black Lake (10620 ft): 4.9 miles one way, 1440 foot gain.  Moderate+.
Frozen Lake (11580 ft): 6.1 miles one way, 2400 foot gain.  Strenuous-.
Green Lake (11540 ft): 6 miles one way, 2360 foot gain.  Strenuous-.
Blue Lake (11140 ft): 5.5 miles one way, 1960 foot gain.  Strenuous-.