Lake of Glass via Glacier Gorge

Overview

This is a big-mountain day that stacks one highlight after another: Alberta Falls → The Loch → Timberline Falls → Lake of Glass. Plan on roughly 8.8 miles round-trip and about 1,600–1,700 feet of total ascent. The payoff is a glassy subalpine lake perched above a short but serious scramble—clear water, knife-cut cirque walls, and that high-country hush. If you’ve got gas left, Sky Pond sits only about 0.4 miles beyond.

Route Snapshot

Start from Glacier Gorge and cruise past Alberta Falls before the trail climbs toward The Loch. Beyond The Loch, the grade steepens on rocky staircase-like sections to Timberline Falls. The crux is ascending the right side of the falls via a wet, hands-on scramble—short, exposed in spots, and often slick. Immediately above the topout, you step onto the shores of Lake of Glass. Many hikers stop here thinking they’ve reached the finale; Sky Pond is just a bit farther on a rougher, faint path if conditions and energy allow.

Geology You Can See

Lake of Glass sits in a classic glacial cirque carved by advances and retreats of the Taylor Glacier during the last major Ice Age (the Pinedale Glaciation). The ice scoured basins that later filled with water, polished the hard granite smooth, and scratched it with parallel striations—keep an eye out for those on bedrock slabs near the lake. Moraines rim parts of the valley, and Icy Brook both feeds and drains the lake.

Best Time to Hike

Snow and ice can linger into May and June, and the final approach near the falls can be slick in shoulder seasons. Summer brings prime trail conditions—but also crowds and afternoon storm risk. Start well before dawn for parking and to beat the wind; calm early mornings give you the best “mirror” reflections on Lake of Glass. In peak season, timed-entry applies for the Bear Lake corridor and shuttles typically start around early morning; lines are common at busy times.

Conditions, Gear, and Crowd Tips

Expect bottlenecks at the scramble—be patient, keep three points of contact, and remember the descent can feel trickier than the climb. Footwear with great wet-rock traction is a must; gloves help on cold, wet stone. In late spring/early summer, microspikes can be the difference between sketchy and secure. Pack layers (it can feel arctic above treeline even in summer), sun protection, plenty of food/water, and download maps offline—cell service is unreliable.

Is It Worth It?

Yes—this is one of the corridor’s most rewarding hikes. The scramble adds just enough spice, and the scenery stacks perfectly. If the waterfall climb isn’t your thing, turning around at The Loch or the base of Timberline Falls still gives you a fantastic day.