Gem Lake

Summary

An easy out-and-back hike, with an option to continue to other trails. It is a little more difficult near the top where it ascends more steeply and you have to climb many steps cut into the stone. About 1.8 miles one way. Starting elevaton is about 7920 feet, and Gem Lake is at 8830 feet.

Gem Lake is actually a pond in a depression in the rock at the top of a hill.

This trail is in Rocky Mountain National Park, but the trailhead is outside of the park, so you don't need a park pass to hike.

Getting There

Go north out of Estes Park past the Stanley Hotel on MacGregor Avenue about a mile, and go through the MacGregor ranch gate. Go about 0.8 mile to the Twin Owls trailhead.

There is an alternative Gem Lake trailhead about 0.8 mile past the MacGregor ranch gate on MacGregor Avenue/Devil's Gulch Road.

Maps: Trails Illustrated #200.
If you go into the park itself, you will get a map at the gate.

There are also many books and trail guides for this area. I like Best Easy Day Hikes, Rocky Mountain National Park by Dannen and Dannen. Be sure to read the page About The Cranky Authors, which alone is worth the price of the book.

The Hike

Start the hike to Gem Lake by heading northeast (the Canyon Trail also heads west from this trailhead). The trailhead is well marked, and has a restroom.

The trailhead is on the ranch, so you may be greeted by a few horses.

As you start up the trail, you will see the Twin Owls rock on formations your left. If you're there at daybreak, the sun will hit the tops of these two formations long before it reaches the trail.

Twin Owls from near the trailhead.

Looking back on Twin Owls a little further along.

As you hike up the trail, you can look out over the Estes valley in several places. The sun also lights up Longs Peak before the valley sees daylight.

Along the trail, looking toward Estes Park.

The trail climbs gently through aspen groves, which are a beautiful new green in the spring, and brilliant yellow in the fall.

Through the spring aspens.

The trail switches back as it climbs through interesting rock formations. It becomes a little steeper as you climb toward the top of the hill, with steps cut into the rock in several areas.

Passing through a break in the rock.

As you gain altitude, you can see more of the Estes valley and Longs Peak to the southwest.

Longs Peak beyond the Estes valley.

A little farther up you will find Paul Bunyan's discarded boot, probably because of the hole in the sole.

Paul Bunyan's boot

At the top of the hill you will find Gem Lake. It's an odd place for a lake, but this tiny lake has no inlet or outlet, and is just a depression in the rock.

First view of Gem Lake, looking north.

Gem Lake with the cliffs on the east side.

The east side of the lake is bordered by tall stone cliffs, with equally tall trees growing in the rocky soil.

The cliffs.

Another look at the cliffs.

And one more cliffs shot.

Looking west from the cliffs.

Looking south.

Somehow, this tiny lake has managed to create a sandy beach in a couple of places (it's actually gravel).

Sandy beach on the north side.

You can continue north from Gem lake to join the Cow Creek trail to Bridal Veil Falls and other places, but this is as far as I'm going today.