Sky Pond packing checklist | Camp Check

[Skip to content](#content)

[Camp Check](/)

[Map](/)[About](/about)

Show more details

[← Back to map](/) · [Search spots](/#all)

Trip details · Sky Pond

# Sky Pond packing checklist

*   Activity**Day hike**
*   Park**Rocky Mountain National Park, CO**
*   Nearest**Four Pass Loop, 106 mi**

Past Alberta Falls and The Loch, a scramble beside Timberline Falls leads to an alpine lake under the Sharkstooth and Cathedral Spires.

## Trip details

Distance

4.9 mi one way

Elevation gain

1,710 ft

Trailhead

Glacier Gorge, 9,240 ft

Permit

Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road, May 22–Oct 18, 2026, 5 am–6 pm

Best season

July to September, early start (our pick)

### Source

*   [NPS Rocky Mountain: hiking trail list](https://nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/list_hiking_trails.htm)
*   [NPS Rocky Mountain: Timed Entry permits](https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/timed-entry-permit-system.htm)
*   [NPS Rocky Mountain: Lightning safety](https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/lightning-safety.htm)

"Our pick" seasons are our own call.

## Packing list

Reset

Ready to go: **0%** · you have 0 of 13

### Before you go

*   **Check conditions.** Closures, weather and trail status change. Look at [NPS Rocky Mountain: current conditions](https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/conditions.htm) the day you go.
*   **Tell someone your plan.** Where you’re going, who’s with you and when you’ll be back. [NPS: leave a trip plan](https://www.nps.gov/articles/hiking-safety.htm)
*   **Know when to turn back.** Be heading down by early afternoon. When you hear thunder, leave the lake basin for lower ground. If you get a bad headache or nausea, descend.

This list is a starting point, not a guarantee. Conditions change, so adjust it for your trip and your group.

We earn from qualifying Amazon purchases. [Details](/about#affiliate)

Check off what you already have. For anything you still need, there’s a product suggestion when we have a good match.

### Trip-specific: permits and hazards

1.  **Timed Entry with Bear Lake Road**Required May 22 to October 18, 2026, 5 am to 6 pm.Need itHave it

    No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park.

    Source: [NPS Rocky Mountain: Timed Entry permits](https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/timed-entry-permit-system.htm)

2.  **Altitude**You start above 9,000 ft. NPS: learn the early signs of altitude sickness and descend if they get worse.Need itHave it

    No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park.

    Source: [NPS Rocky Mountain: Acute Mountain Sickness](https://www.nps.gov/romo/acute_mountain_sickness.htm)

3.  **Lightning**NPS: start early and get below treeline before storms. Leave summits and isolated rocks.Need itHave it

    No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park.

    Source: [NPS Rocky Mountain: Lightning safety](https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/lightning-safety.htm)

### The Ten Essentials [(NPS)](https://www.nps.gov/articles/10essentials.htm)

1.   **Water**About 3 L each for the round trip: roughly 1 L per 2 hours, more at altitude.Need itHave it

     ![Nalgene Tritan Wide Mouth 32 oz](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71x9VbJrhvL._AC_SL1000_.jpg)

     Nalgene Tritan Wide Mouth 32 oz

     $17.99 on Amazon

     About 3 L each for the round trip: roughly 1 L per 2 hours, more at altitude.

     [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001N7V1QG/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20)

     Source: [NPS Yosemite: hiking safety (1 quart every 2 hours)](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hikingsafety.htm)

2.   **Water treatment**NPS: purify any lake or stream water.Need itHave it

     ![LifeStraw Personal Water Filter](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/610MT9qiRyL._SL1000_.jpg)

     LifeStraw Personal Water Filter

     $17.95 on Amazon

     NPS: purify any lake or stream water.

     [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006QF3TW4/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20)

     Source: [NPS Rocky Mountain: High Country Hazards](https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/hazards.htm)

3.   **Food and extra food**Pack snacks plus extra food in case the day runs long.Need itHave it

     No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park.

4.   **Navigation: offline map, map and compass**Download an offline map before you lose signal, and carry a paper map and compass as backup.Need itHave it

     ![Suunto A-10 Compass](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61SgLIozPML._AC_SL1000_.jpg)

     Suunto A-10 Compass

     $24.00 on Amazon

     Download an offline map before you lose signal, and carry a paper map and compass as backup.

     [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TRB49PK/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20)

5.   **Headlamp**In case you finish after dark. Your phone isn’t a headlamp.Need itHave it

     ![Petzl Tikka Headlamp](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71sDmxdaMIL._AC_SL1000_.jpg)

     Petzl Tikka Headlamp

     $34.95 on Amazon

     In case you finish after dark. Your phone isn’t a headlamp.

     [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FDLSGR92/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20)

6.   **Sun protection**High-altitude sun burns fast.Need itHave it

     ![Banana Boat Sport SPF 50 Spray (2-pack)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71KsaIMGD7L._SL1000_.jpg)

     Banana Boat Sport SPF 50 Spray (2-pack)

     $11.49 on Amazon

     High-altitude sun burns fast.

     [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MQXX9US/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20)

7.   **Insulation and rain layer**NPS: a sunny day can turn windy and wet in minutes.Need itHave it

     ![FROGG TOGGS Ultra-lite2 Rain Jacket (men’s)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/613vT-iXDWL._AC_SL1000_.jpg)

     FROGG TOGGS Ultra-lite2 Rain Jacket (men’s)

     $22.74 on Amazon

     NPS: a sunny day can turn windy and wet in minutes.

     [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CKCZOZC/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20)

8.   **First aid kit**For blisters, scrapes and sprains, the most common trail problems.Need itHave it

     ![Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .5](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81Tk3JSPj0L._AC_SL1000_.jpg)

     Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .5

     $31.95 on Amazon

     For blisters, scrapes and sprains, the most common trail problems.

     [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DV6PDY9R/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20)

9.   **Fire starter and emergency shelter**If you get stuck out after dark, a bivvy and a lighter keep you warm until help comes.Need itHave it

     ![SOL 90% Emergency Bivvy](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81xGw29aTYL._AC_SL1000_.jpg)

     SOL 90% Emergency Bivvy

     $25.49 on Amazon

     If you get stuck out after dark, a bivvy and a lighter keep you warm until help comes.

     [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NC9BLQ5/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20)

10.  **Knife or repair kit**For quick gear fixes, cutting tape or trimming a blister pad.Need itHave it

     ![Opinel No. 08 Stainless Folding Knife](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51sHi+R6qwL._AC_SL1000_.jpg)

     Opinel No. 08 Stainless Folding Knife

     $16.62 on Amazon

     For quick gear fixes, cutting tape or trimming a blister pad.

     [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000UGYWTO/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20)

Prices and stock checked on Amazon on Oct 18, 2026, and may have changed.

## Photos

![Sky Pond below the Sharkstooth](/photos/sky-pond-1.webp)

Photo: [Christine Warner](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sky_Pond.jpg) · [CC BY 2.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0) · Wikimedia Commons

![The Cathedral Spires above Sky Pond](/photos/sky-pond-2.webp)

Photo: [Christine Warner](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cathedral_Spires,_Sky_Pond.jpg) · [CC BY 3.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0) · Wikimedia Commons

Coordinates **40.2780°N 105.6692°W**

Elevation **9,240 ft trailhead**

Park **Rocky Mountain National Park, CO**

Time now **UTC --:--:--**

[](/spots/delicate-arch)[](/spots/devils-garden-campground)[](/spots/kings-peak)[](/spots/mirror-lake-campground)[](/spots/sky-pond)[](/spots/four-pass-loop)

Use two fingers to move the map

**Affiliate disclosure:** As an Amazon Associate, Camp Check earns from qualifying purchases. Amazon links are affiliate links and don't change your price.

**AI disclosure:** Pages are drafted with AI help and checked by a person against the linked NPS/USFS sources and live Amazon listings. Conditions, prices and stock change, so check before you go and before you buy.

**Map data:** Elevation from [Terrain Tiles on AWS](https://registry.opendata.aws/terrain-tiles/) (Mapzen/Tilezen), built from USGS 3DEP and NOAA ETOPO1 data, among others.

[About](/about) · [Sitemap](/sitemap.xml)