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Timberline Falls is a cascading waterfall in Rocky Mountain National Park reached just over four miles up the Glacier Gorge Trail, between The Loch and Sky Pond. Reaching the top of the falls requires scrambling up slick rock, making the full Sky Pond route a challenging day hike.

Height
Not measured
Type
Cascade
Access
Backcountry
Trail
9.5 mi out-and-back
Elevation gain
1,640 ft
Best season
Summer (June-September)
Land manager
Rocky Mountain National Park (NPS)
Watercourse
Icy Brook

Before you go

Waterfalls are hazardous by nature — wet rock, cold water, and unstable edges — and flow varies enormously with season and recent rain. Trail figures here describe the route as documented, not conditions today. Check Rocky Mountain National Park (NPS) for closures and current conditions, and confirm land status before setting out.

Frequently Asked Questions

No measured height is on record for Timberline Falls in the land-manager and survey sources this inventory draws on. We list it without a height rather than estimating one.

The Glacier Gorge Trail to Sky Pond (via Timberline Falls) reaches it about 9.5 miles (out-and-back) with roughly 1,640 feet of elevation gain, rated strenuous. The nearest town is Estes Park. That describes the route as documented, not conditions on the day — check with Rocky Mountain National Park (NPS) for closures and current conditions.

Summer (June-September). Waterfall flow swings enormously with snowmelt and recent rain, so a fall that roars in spring can be a trickle by late summer.

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