Gem Lake, Lumpy Ridge Trailhead, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Gem Lake - 3.3 Miles

Lumpy Ridge Trailhead

Gem Lake is a short day hike from the Lumpy Ridge Trailhead

Gem Lake is a short day hike from the Lumpy Ridge Trailhead

Gem Lake

Your rating: None Average: 4 (1 vote)
Round-Trip Length: 3.3 Miles
Start-End Elevation: 7,882' - 8,830'
Elevation Change: +948' net elevation gain (+971' total roundtrip elevation gain)
Skill Level: Moderate-Strenuous
Dogs Allowed: No
Bikes Allowed: No
Horses Allowed: Yes
Related Trails:

Trail Description

Gem Lake is located 1.65 miles from the Lumpy Ridge Trailhead on the northeast side of Rocky Mountain National Park. It fills a shallow depression near the top of Lumpy Ridge, a massive granite rock complex home to numerous raptor species renowned world class climbing.

Gem Lake is unusual in that there's no true inlet or outlet stream - surrounding rock traps, collects, and steers water into the small basin. The lake faces south at a modest elevation, meaning less snow and faster melt that make it one of Rocky Mountain's most accessible 4 season hikes.

In May 2007 the Twin Owls Trailhead was relocated approximately .5 miles to the east and re-named Lumpy Ridge Trailhead. The new trailhead - which accesses Gem Lake, the Twin Owls Loop, and all Lumpy Ridge climbing destinations - holds more parking and updated park information.

Some maps do not illustrate the recent move. Signs at Lumpy Ridge Trailhead clearly depict new routing and distances affected by the relocation:

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The trail climbs steeply through mature ponderosa and aspen all the way to Gem Lake. Sculpted granite boulders line the trail and lend to the area's unique aesthetic. Autumn visitors will enjoy brilliant colors and a gold carpet of fallen leaves.

Openings in the forest yield rangy panoramas that include Longs Peak (14,259'), Estes Cone (11,011'), Taylor Peak (13,163'), Powell Peak (13,208'), McHenrys Peak (13,327'), and the Estes Park area.

The moderately-strenuous grade levels out only upon reaching Gem Lake. The lake's west shore is beach-like, while the north and east shores are encased by vertical granite walls that can be reached from their flat base just above waterline.

The trail continues past Gem Lake on longer routes to Bridal Veil Falls and the Twin Owls Loop.

GPS Coordinates - DATUM WGS84

View these GPS points on a Google Map

  • N40 24.646 W105 30.206 — Gem Lake

Camping and Backpacking Information

    Rabbit Ears Backcountry Campsite
  • The Rabbit Ears campsite is located at 8,100', 1.4 miles from the Cow Creek Trailhead and 5.5 miles from the Lumpy Ridge Trailhead. There is 1 site and a bear box available. Water is available from Cow Creek. The site is located south of the Cow Creek Trail in an open area surrounded by trees. It sits below the ridge where two upright rocks simulate rabbit ears. A rock bench behind the site makes a natural seating area.

    • Peregrine Backcountry Campsite
  • The Peregrine campsite is located at 8,480', 2.0 miles from the Cow Creek Trailhead and 5.2 miles from the Lump Ridge Trailhead. There is 1 site and a bear box available. Water is available from Cow Creek. The site is located off the Cow Creek Trail, approx. 100 yards past the Dark Mountain Trail junction.

    • McGregor Mountain Backcountry Campsite
  • The McGregor campsite is located at 9,040', 4.1 miles from the Cow Creek Trailhead and 5.1 miles from the Lumpy Ridge Trailhead. There are 2 sites available; no bear boxes are provided. Water is available from Black Canyon Creek. The site is located in a thick pine forest south of Black Canyon Creek off the Black Canyon Trail.

  • Wood signs mark campsite spurs, which may also be marked by red arrowheads on trees. Pitch tents as close to the indicated site as possible, safely away from standing dead trees. Boil or adequately treat all water. Stoves only. Fires are prohibited, unless staying in a wood fire site with visible metal fire ring.

Directions

To reach the Lumpy Ridge Trailhead: From US 36 in downtown Estes Park, drive north on MacGregor Avenue. Shortly after crossing US Highway 34, MacGregor Avenue will turn into Devils Gulch Road. Continue on Devils Gulch Road bypassing the gateway to the MacGregor Ranch area. Less than a mile ahead, the turn off to the trailhead is marked by an NPS sign. Turn left (north) onto the trailhead access road which dead ends several hundred yards from Devils Gulch Road. The trailhead and parking area have pit toilets.

Contact Information

Rocky Mountain National Park
1000 Highway 36
Estes Park, CO 80517-8397

General Visitor Information:
970.586.1206

Backcountry Permit Info:
970.586.1242

Campground Reservations:
800.365.2267

Trip Reports

There are no trip reports on this trail.



Comments

"We loved the hike, it was tough a bit, but my family, wife,son, daughter, future son in-law,and my 65 year old mother truly enjoyed it, it was a little hard for my mother, but getting to the top made it all worth while. We had a lunch there and was visited by several chipmunks,be careful they get too friendly. Great hike, highly reccommended"
Tony Ramberg - United States - October 2, 2012
"This hike gains elevation quickly and has a lot of steps, some of them very high steps, so I don't see how younger children could easily navigate this trail. My husband and I hiked up to the lake and beyond to cover about 6 miles. We did it easily, but our legs are longer than a 3-year-old. By the time we got back down to the trailhead (11 am), there were no spaces in the parking lot, so arrive early to avoid the crowds. We enjoyed the hike and the elevation climb is good to get the heart pumping. FYI, the trail beyond Gem lake was much more enjoyable for us - it is more secluded and no rock steps!"
Vicky - Westminster, CO - August 18, 2012
"Date approximate. We hiked this and it became a favorite. The fist time we did it, there was this woman working out for a triathalon. She was running up and down the mountain. We would stop to 'admire the view' about every 10 minutes and it seemed like every time, there she was running one direction or the other. OK, it took her about 40 minutes between passes. But boy was it humbling to two flat-landers with only three natural knees."
RogerFeeley - Kansas City - July 15, 2008
"This is a great hike for kids. Yes you've got some elevation gain, but the trail isn't particularly rocky or hard to hike and it offers decent shade. Take your time, it's doesn't have to be a race to the top. Enjoy the nice views looking down into Estes Valley and explore some of the cool rock formations along the way. At the end, you'll see that the trail is aptly named when you come upon a little jewel of a lake. We climbed the rock formations behind the lake (the ascent is MUCH safer from the back side) and were afforded a lovely 360 degree view. Finally.... this is a heavily used trail. On a Monday morning, we were on the trail by 7:30a.m. and pretty much had the place to ourselves until 9:30a.m. On our way down at 10, the place was crawling with people. My advice is to get up early and beat the crowds."
Carol Brand - Boulder, CO - July 30, 2012
"I enjoyed this hike this morning. It was already hot at 9am but with a few stops for water and catch my breath, this 58 yr old lady did the hike in a total of 3 hours. On the way down I talked with alot of people and took some pictures. I ate a sandwich at the lake. I probably could have done the whole hike in 2 hours if I wanted to. I liked the sandy trail which was easy on my feet. Yes, take water, wear a hat and sunscreen and have fun."
Janet - Brighton - June 8, 2012
"First off, this is NOT an easy trail. It's longer then you think and my whole family only made it 20 feet before we were out of breath. Over all, we only made it half a mile before we could barely move. Be sure and have water. Lots of it. "
Taylor - Colorado - May 27, 2012

 

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