Gem Lake
- nps.gov
- Estes Park
About
Gem Lake is a small, rocky lake you earn with a steep, sunny climb up from Lumpy Ridge. It's short on miles and long on stairs. Go early, and bring more water than you think you need.
The trail starts at the Lumpy Ridge Trailhead, at 7,840 feet, on the north side of town. NPS lists it at 1.6 miles one way with about 1,000 feet of gain, so roughly 3.2 miles round trip. That's a short hike with a steady grind in the middle, and it's exposed. The trail enters Rocky Mountain National Park, so check nps.gov/romo for current entrance and reservation rules before you drive up.
I'd go early, partly for parking and partly because the climb gets hot. It's not a good choice for a dog, since pets aren't allowed on park trails. Wear real shoes, bring a hat, and turn around if clouds start stacking up. Winter hikers sometimes tackle it, but ice on the rock changes everything, so be honest about your traction. Stay on the trail, and take your trash with you. A lake this small shows every bit of wear.
