Embryo Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park
- Date hiked: 08/30/2020
- Hiked from: Glacier Gorge Trailhead
- Distance hiked: 3.3 Miles One Way
- Total elevation gain: 1,200 ft
- Maintained trail: No
- Overall Difficulty: 6/10 – You will have to bushwhack for .2-.3 miles from Andrews Creek trail junction
- Overall Views: 5/10 – Views of Taylor Peak and Timberline Falls
Embryo Lake is located in the Loch Vale of Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s a very tiny, shallow lake. If you decide to make the trip to visit Embryo Lake, you will get some solitude and escape the crowds from the nearby Sky Pond trail.
Video Footage of Embryo Lake
[youtube id=”HOohJt78UkU”]
Skip to the 06:29 mark to where we make the turn off from the main trail. Navigate through some trees to reach Embryo Lake.
Getting to Embryo Lake
From the Andrews Creek / Sky Pond trail junction, head east and cross Icy Brook. From here it’s a relatively easy bushwhack for about .2 miles. This tiny pond lays near the base of Thatchtop Mountain. Timberline Falls is faintly visible from the north shore of Embryo Lake. There is no sign or marked trail leading to this lake.

The views are not going to top the other lakes in the Loch Vale, but you will likely find some solitude here. It’s far enough from the Sky Pond trail that you shouldn’t here anyone talking from the foot traffic.