Taylor Peak

Starting at the Glacier Gorge parking area, the route takes the heavily used trail past Alberta Falls, up to "The Loch", a beautiful sub-alpine lake in Loch Valley. From The Loch, the route branches onto the more rugged and possibly snow covered Andrews Glacier trail where it has views of "The Sharkstooth", passes Andrews Tarn (a small mountain lake), and proceeds up a snowfield called Andrews Glacier to the top of Andrews Pass. The snowfield at Andrews Glacier rises approximately 600 ft, and although not steep an ice axe and crampons are highly recommended (especially for the descent). From the Pass it is about a mile and 1100 ft elevation to Taylor Peak.  The summit has spectacular views all around including views of Glass Lake, Sky Pond, the Loch Valley as well as Sharkstooth and the summits that ring the south end of Glacier Gorge.

An optional add-on would be to continue on to Powell Peak (approximately +1.5 mi and 550 ft one-way).  

The return route retraces the outbound route.

• Suitable Activities: Hiking
• Seasons: Year-round
• Weather: View weather forecast
• Avalanche Terrain Rating Complex

• Difficulty: Difficult
• Length: 12.4 mi
• Elevation Gain: 4,165 ft
• High Point: 13,157 ft

• Land Manager: National Park Service
  Rocky Mountain National Park
• Parking Permit Required: National Park Entrance Fees
• Recommended Party Size: 7
• Maximum Party Size: 12
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12