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The Loch & Sky Pond (via Timberline Falls and Lake of Glass)
Distance: 4.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,660 ft.
Difficulty: Low Moderate
Trailhead: Glacier Gorge Parking Lot
Overall: Great choice if you don't want to have to hike too far to get great views, flowers and lots of water. Several stopping points along the way.
The Loch (2.7 miles) is one of the most photographed lakes in the park so don't forget your camera. This trail is full of flowers in early summer and therefore quite busy. An early start is advised. From the Loch, the trail goes to the right of the lake heading up toward Timberline Falls. Work your way up to the right (a bit airy) and on to Lake of Glass (4.2 miles). On arriving at the lake, turn to the right and follow the rock cairns up and around the lake. Sky Pond is less than a 1/2 mile away.
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Black Lake (via Alberta Falls and Mills Lake)
Distance: 4.7 miles to Black Lake (one-way)
Elevation Gain: 1,390 ft.
Difficulty: moderate
Trailhead: Glacier Gorge Parking Lot
Overall: Beautiful Lake hike in the lower portion of Glacier Gorge which is behind Longs Peak. Takes in Alberta Falls, Mills Lake, Jewel Lake, Glacier Creek and Black Lake. Not the wide open vistas except at Mills Lake, but abounding in flowers and water.
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Green Lake, Little Italy, Frozen Lake, Mchenry's Peak, Spearhead and Stoneman Pass
Distance: Frozen Lake 5.75 miles (one-way) Little Italy- 6 miles
Elevation Gain: 2340 ft.
Difficulty: Frozen Lake- low strenuous
Trailhead: Glacier Gorge- if this small parking lot is full, continue on to Bear Lake and park on the lower end. Use the horse trail to connect to the trail to Glacier Gorge.
Overall: Most hikers get to Black Lake and call it a day- too bad, when the truly spectacular is just about 1/2 mile further up into the basin.
This area is truly a basin and unlike other hikes in the area. Once above Black lake, there are numerous possibilities with 4 named lakes and several small ponds. Blue Lake is the closest but I recommend Frozen or Green and Italy, all of which require a bit of easy scrambling. Green and Little Italy sit far back into the gorge surrounded by Longs, Keyboard of the Winds, Pagoda, Chief's Head and Spearhead. During the season you may be able to pick out a few hikers on the Ledges section of the Keyhole route on Longs. Frozen Lake sits on the other side of Spearhead with the Stoneman looming above, then beautiful McHenry's and Arrowhead. Work your way back to the trail the same way you came, following the many cairns in the area.
If climbing Spearhead, go to Frozen Lake first and then head up the gully on the backside- lots of scree but a pointed top. McHenry's is said to be the hardest non-technical hike in the park. After doing it, I agree. Best to get Dannon's book for a good description of the route. Spectacular no doubt! Airy for sure!
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