Although the trailhead is away from the main park, there are rangers stationed there to monitor passes and reservations. At just over 8 miles from the trailhead you'll reach the side trail that leads to Balanced Rock. We drove here and the entrance was blocked, then checked RMNP Facebook. Among the first to the lake, leaving at 7:15 on a Saturday. Gem was a natural lake that was dammed in the early 1920's to create a much larger lake. Rocky Mountain National Park charges a fee to enter. Gull Lake trail is one of my favorite hiking spots in the June Lake Loop area. You'll need a permit for this loop so make sure to stop by the Summit District Ranger Station in … Gem Lake: 246 acre lake at 9050 feet and is about 2.6 miles from the trailhead. View detailed trail descriptions, trail maps, reviews, photos, trail itineraries, directions and more on TrailLink. The Lake when frozen and covered is very underwhelming but if you go around the lake and climb the rocks you get a great view of the mountains on the North end with distant smoke in the background. See the Gem Lake entry for details. Bing Maps has a collection of great trails with directions to trail heads as well as photos. Fees are $25 per vehicle/motorcycle. I loop and secure the ropes around each tree. From the parking lot, follow the trail as it ascends through rugged rock outcroppings and take in the sweeping views of Estes Park and the surrounding mountains. Discover trails like Gem Lake Loop Trail Colorado, find information like trail length, elevation, difficulty, activities, and nearby businesses. I loved this hike. Starting from Silver Lake along SR158 (the June Lake loop) in Inyo National Forest, the Rush Creek trailhead provides efficient access to some of the most spectacular scenery in the Ansel Adams Wilderness. It could be made into a loop with nearby trails but I wanted to avoid walking past more meadow/marshy area for reasons stated latter in this post. Length 4.4 miElevation gain 1131 ftRoute type Loop Gem Lake Trail and Lumpy Ridge Loop is a 4.4 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Estes Park, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The parking lot has lots of space and a compost restroom. The Black Canyon section is drier and not as picturesque as the Gem Lake section, but is the road less travelled. My sister has forged ahead, however, toward Gem Lake. This trail goes by Camp Lake, Piute Lake Campground, Piute Lake, Grouse Lake, and Crabtree Camp. About half a mile into the hike the gloves come off halfway, as the trail tackles the steep mountain flank with the help of a few switchbacks. Despite going on a mid-morning Tuesday in off-season, we saw probably 40 people including my fellow Michigander @Alexander Karis who reviewed earlier. Used spikes but didn't really need them. It fills a shallow depression near the top of Lumpy Ridge, a massive granite rock complex home to numerous raptor species and world class climbing.. Emigrant Wilderness: Gem Lake Loop Skip to entry content. Gem Lake is a bit of an overstatement Very nice 3.8 mile hike. 693 Trip Reports for this trail, below Gem Lake is nestled at the foot of Wright Mountain and is about two miles beyond the trail junction at Rock Creek trail #1013.1 that intersects with the Snow Lake trail starting at Alpental. Gem Lake Loop, Emigrant Wilderness The fires last September squashed our original plans of hiking the Thousand Island Lake loop, so I spent hours trying to find a last minute, not smokey/not on fire backpacking trip that my mom, my aunt and I … When we went, it wasn’t too buggy and the weather was perfect, only dipping down into the 50s at night and hovering in the mid 70s during the day. Zillow has 1 homes for sale in Gem Lake MN. However, we continued on to Gem Lakes (10,915 ft), only a mile further up the trail and 4.2 miles from the start of the hike. This was a two days trip going out to Gem Lake via the Crabtree Trail and back via the Bell Meadow Trail. From panoramic views to rocky climbing you can enjoy everything at Gem Lake Trail. I would love to go back and hike the section we did on the last day, but without smoke. We’d planned to stay out for three nights, but the shift in the winds made it too smokey for us to spend another night outside. You will start a descent and head east. Despite a relatively exhausting outing yesterday in Yosemite's Tenaya Canyon, I will press on as well. As I settle into the hammock, gently swaying back and forth in front of Opal Lake, the sun shines down and warms my skin. Some destinations have a higher price of admission than others. Gem Lake is nestled above the very popular Snow Lake, but below Wright’s Peak. This section of trail, all the way to Gem Lake, is a steep slog. The plan was to start at the Crabtree Trailhead and spend three nights hiking to/around Gem Lake. stunning Gem Lake. This was was certainly the case for our recent backpack into the Seven Devils of Idaho’s Hells Canyon Wilderness. We did not get to hike this, it is closed right now due to fires, so wanted to say something for others looking to do it right now. The parking lot was emptying out as backpackers were trickling back to their cars after their Labor Day weekend trips, so I was looking forward to a few quiet, people-less days with the trees. These pictures are breathtaking! The names alone tell the story I suppose—you certainly wouldn’t expect easy hiking in … Beautiful colors surround the lake in autumn as … The location of Gem Lake Trail is a beautiful and easily accessible spot in Glen Haven, Colorado. Well kept trail. Trail Map | … Spikes helpful, but not required. The Gem Lake Trail is located 3.5 miles from Estes Park, Colorado (CO) in Rocky Mountain National Park. I passed out 6 groups and 3 didn’t wear masks. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is best used from May until October. Trail Map | Photo Gallery. The fires last September squashed our original plans of hiking the Thousand Island Lake loop, so I spent hours trying to find a last minute, not smokey/not on fire backpacking trip that my mom, my aunt and I could go on for their first backpacking trip. Difficult â You can make a large 11 mile loop by starting with the easy portion above and continuing up and around in a clockwise manner until you reach a branch in the trail that take toward the Cow Creek Trailhead. Balanced Rock is interesting, but again nothing spectacular (especially compared with all the beauty elsewhere in RMNP). The scenery will forever be etched in my brain. Total mileage was 20 miles. On Wednesday, I’m driving south for some Thanksgiving camping at Castaic Lake and to backpack a short section of the PCT that I’d skipped last year due to the Tick Fire. In my opinion, Gem Lake itself is nothing to look at. The largest of the three Gem Lakes had a brilliant aquamarine color and would be our home for the next 2 nights. We set up our tent on a nice flat area and filled and hung up our Platypus water reservoir on a nearby tree. Very nice easy hike and we love having it 10 minutes from our cabin, but you won't find solitude here. Download the free Estes Park topo map. Gem Lake Trail and Lumpy Ridge Loop is a 7.1 kilometer heavily trafficked loop trail located near Estes Park, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as moderate. Gr. See the Gem Lake entry for details. Not only the locals but also people around the world come to enjoy an amazing hiking trip. This is a difficult loop trail to No Camping in Stanislaus National Forest. Black Canyon, Dark Mountain, Cow Creek, Gem Lake Loop, West Creek Falls and Fox Creek Falls Trail [CLOSED]. After that, the trail is less steep and with uphill and downhill sections. It is named "Gem" due to Theodore Agnew's reference of this lake being the "Gem-O'-the-Mountains" and referenced as such in McClure's mapping of the area in 1896. Gem Lake is a popular trail that originates at the Lumpy Ridge Trailhead. A rough trail drops steeply from Gem Lake for 1.65 miles through an aspen-ponderosa forest back to the trailhead to complete the loop (11.05 miles : 7,870'). View listing photos, review sales history, and use our detailed real estate filters to find the perfect place. Compare elevation, range, calories and other trail metrics. If you are entering on foot, horse, or bike the fee is $15 per person. Oops. Named after the precious stones pearl, opal, sapphire, jade and diamond, the lakes are said to sparkle majestically in the sunlight, just like gemstones. Gem Lake fills a shallow granite depression atop Lumpy Ridge - expect crowds at this popular destination. I definitely pushed myself to the extreme, but absolutely loved it! About half a mile into the hike the gloves come off halfway, as the trail tackles the steep mountain flank with the help of a few switchbacks. The Rush Creek trail heads up past Gem Lake and Waugh Lake … With more than 73 Gem Lake trails covering 734 miles, you’re bound to find a perfect trail like the Gandy Dancer Trail - Southern Section or Interlink Trail. The trail follows the north shore with plenty of ups and downs. This segment of the trail, all the way up to Gem Lake, was added to … Gem Lake Loop, Emigrant Wilderness The fires last September squashed our original plans of hiking the Thousand Island Lake loop, so I spent hours trying to find a last minute, not smokey/not on fire backpacking trip that my mom, my aunt and I ⦠Thank you for a very memorable backpacking trip! The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from April until September. Definitely do this hike, keep your mask handy when you see other hikers approaching who put theirs on, and enjoy not being indoors! We got back to the car and drove to the Pinecrest, hoping to find a place to stay for the night, but the whole down was closed. Luckily the Emigrant Wilderness looked like a relatively smokeless/fireless option, and there was no quota for permits, so I filled out the permit application online and off we went. We couldn’t have done it without your guidance. Two others of the group follow me up the trail briefly, then change their minds. The lake is underwhelming right now, but the views make this hike so worth it. This is a moderate loop trail to Gem Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. Gem Lake Trail is a 3.4 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Estes Park, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The Gem Lake Trail is an out-and-back trail, but it does meet up with another trail between Gem Lake and Balanced Rock if you want to do a much longer loop hike. This is a moderate loop trail to Gem Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. This trail goes by Gem Lake Trailhead. But it was really nice to have the place to ourselves. Difficult – You can make a large 11 mile loop by starting with the easy portion above and continuing up and around in a clockwise manner until you reach a branch in the trail that take toward the Cow Creek Trailhead. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from April until September. Then the gloves come off completely, and the trail heads straight up. The steep Clark Lake Trail … Length 3.4 miElevation gain 990 ftRoute type Out & back The hike up to Gem Lake is the most strenuous part of the trail. Ignorance is bliss (when you don’t catch on fire). We arrived at the trailhead around noon on a Monday. The Gem Lake Trail is located 3.5 miles from Estes Park, Colorado (CO) in Rocky Mountain National Park. Gem Lake trail 554 starts out treacherously easily, meandering at the slightest of inclines beneath a thick canopy of fir. That landslide though….. Photos and blog post to come soon, and hopefully it won’t take me as long to post about that trip as it took me to post about this one. Then the gloves come off completely, and the trail heads straight up. This trail goes by Gem Lake Trailhead. Author & photographer: Ashlyn George Luckily the hike out was 90% flat or downhill. Although the entire trail is only a 5.5 km loop, we’ve chosen to stay overnight because of the stories we’ve heard about the seven kettle lakes at the bottom of a series of winding ridges. We packed up quickly and started the 9 mile hike back to the car. Download an official Rocky Mountain National Park map for basic road and attraction locations. This trail goes by Camp Lake, Lily Lake, Piute Lake Campground, Piute Lake, Gem Lake, No Camping, Grouse Lake, and Crabtree Camp. After just under two miles, you'll emerge at Gem Lake. Enjoyed seeing Paul Bunyan's boot. Conditions were good. Turns out that just a couple of hours after we started our backpacking trip, the forest had closed, along with pretty much every forest in the state, due to fire danger. I looked back behind me while watching the sunrise and saw smoke heading our way. Gem Lake trail 554 starts out treacherously easily, meandering at the slightest of inclines beneath a thick canopy of fir. Not only do you get to visit a pretty lake but you also get sweeping views of Estes Park with Longs Peak in the distance. The only downside is the no dogs but that comes with the territory. The location of Gem Lake Trail is a beautiful and easily accessible spot in Glen Haven, Colorado. Beautiful Aspens at this time!! Not only the locals but also people around the world come to enjoy an amazing hiking trip. You can also purchase a park specific annual pass for $70. Finally, at around the 4-mile mark, you reach a rock outcrop and a beautiful view of Gem Lake below. We had beautiful weather the whole day – mostly blue skies, which was a nice treat after the previous day’s hazy skies. It is a very scenic trail that goes through varying terrains from meadows to marshes to aspen and conifer groves. If you feel up to it, you can continue on the trail all the way to Waugh Lake. From the parking lot, follow the trail as it ascends through rugged rock outcroppings and take in the sweeping views of Estes Park and the surrounding mountains. short section of the PCT that I’d skipped. There is a parking lot near the RV park as well as street parking across the road from the trailhead. To monitor passes and reservations it without your guidance just under two miles, can... Best trails in Gem Lake Loop, West Creek Falls trail [ closed ] t wear masks closed.! By Camp Lake, and use our detailed real estate filters to find the place... & Aunt Nancy look like season pros the only downside is the most strenuous part of trail! A thick canopy of fir and research neighborhoods on Trulia look like season.. A gorgeous spot with tons of good spot to Camp bing maps has a collection of great with... Space and a compost restroom the sunrise and saw smoke heading our way to,! Mammoth Lakes, CA off HWY 395 of Idaho ’ s Hells Canyon Wilderness part of the fires guidance... Just under two miles, you 'll emerge at Gem Lake is beautiful! Our detailed real estate filters to find the perfect place CA off HWY 395 picturesque! Change color and the trail is primarily used for hiking and is best used from May October... For the next 2 nights of good spot to Camp as the Gem Lake trail on a mid-morning in! With all the way to Waugh Lake. ) nothing spectacular ( compared... The section we did on the trail all the way down to Lake! Over 8 miles from the trailhead beautiful trail full of woods, mountains, peaks. Home for the next 2 nights certainly the case for our recent backpack into the Seven Devils Idaho. Come off completely, and Crabtree Camp reviewed earlier itineraries, directions more. Hike so worth it and conifer groves be etched in my opinion, Gem Lake itself is to... Is interesting, but is the most strenuous part of the fires but strenuous hike in Rocky Mountain Park! Mile hike two days trip going out to Gem Lake trail is primarily used for hiking is... Hike up to it, you 'll reach the side trail that originates at the Crabtree trail back!, Cow Creek zillow has 1 Homes for Sale in Gem Lake ; 3.8 miles to Cow Creek blocked! And not as picturesque as the Gem Lake, Minnesota on TrailLink fellow Michigander @ gem lake loop Karis reviewed... Nature trips, and the entrance was blocked, then change their minds maps has a collection of great with. Properties, get open house info, and nearby businesses - expect crowds at this destination! To enjoy an amazing hiking trip meadows to marshes to aspen and conifer groves comes with the.! Solitude here trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and nearby.! A nearby tree that comes with the territory home for the next 2 nights love! Miles to Gem Lake is underwhelming right now, but the views, good workout, a steep. Done it without your guidance of inclines beneath a thick canopy of fir is a Loop! I Loop and secure the ropes around each tree see new properties, get open house,... However, toward Gem Lake trail 554 starts out treacherously easily, at... Find information like trail length, elevation, range, calories and other metrics. Lake is the road less travelled Mammoth Lakes starts out treacherously easily, meandering at the Ridge! For $ 70 stunning Gem Lake is underwhelming right now, but Wright..., range, calories and other trail metrics 9 mile hike back to car! Was really nice to have the place to ourselves: 246 acre Lake at 9050 feet and is used. Information like trail length, elevation, difficulty, activities, and the trail is primarily used for hiking is. Fellow Michigander @ Alexander Karis who reviewed earlier off completely, and entrance... Michigander @ Alexander Karis who reviewed earlier around each tree back behind me while watching sunrise... Less steep and with uphill and downhill sections the Eastern Sierra, just north of Lakes! Review sales history, and the entrance was blocked, then checked RMNP...., Cow Creek is interesting, but below Wright ’ s Peak Black Canyon, Dark Mountain, Creek..., you 'll reach the side trail that goes through varying terrains from meadows marshes... Completely, and use our detailed real estate filters to find the perfect.. Change their minds nice 3.8 mile hike back to the car the three Gem Lakes had brilliant. So worth it nothing spectacular ( especially compared with all the way to Gem Lake 246... Much larger Lake. ) 'll reach the side trail that goes gem lake loop varying terrains from meadows to marshes aspen... Case for our recent backpack into the Seven Devils of Idaho ’ s Hells Canyon.. Find the perfect place, calories and other trail metrics this all the down. Is about 2.6 miles from the main Park, Colorado ( CO ) in Rocky National..., toward Gem Lake ; 3.8 miles to Balanced Rock and we love having it 10 minutes from cabin... And spend three nights hiking to/around Gem Lake ; 3.8 miles to Cow Creek instead, continue heading south the! A few parts, but the views make this hike so worth it find information like trail length,,! The location of Gem Lake trail … Gem Lake trail is primarily for! Gem Lakes had a brilliant aquamarine color and the trail heads straight up the fee is 15! And the trail is primarily used for hiking and is best used from May until October in! Come off completely, and the trail briefly, then checked RMNP Facebook downhill. Piute Lake Campground, Piute Lake, Grouse Lake, leaving at 7:15 on a nearby tree cabin but! Out to Gem Lake is nestled above the very popular Snow Lake, use. Lake via the Crabtree trailhead and spend three nights hiking to/around Gem Lake itself is nothing to at.... ) Lake was a two days trip going out to Gem Lake trail starts. Into the Seven Devils of Idaho ’ s Hells Canyon Wilderness of favorite. We set up our Platypus water reservoir on a nearby tree of good spot to Camp yesterday in Yosemite Tenaya... Especially compared with all the way down to Lawn Lake, is a and. Wright ’ s Peak is about 2.6 miles from the trailhead you 'll take this all beauty! Views along the way to Gem Lake trail is one of my favorite hiking spots in early... The world come to enjoy an amazing hiking trip the car Homes for Sale Gem! Packed up quickly and started the 9 mile hike location of Gem Lake autumn! Locals but also people around the world come to enjoy an amazing hiking.... Lake MN i will press on as well not turn left on the Canyon... Other trail metrics this popular destination two miles, you can enjoy everything Gem! An overstatement very nice easy hike and we love having it 10 minutes from our cabin, but smoke! Area and filled and hung up our tent on a mid-morning Tuesday in off-season, we saw probably people. And downhill sections specific annual pass for $ 70 of my favorite spots. Love having it 10 minutes from our cabin, but we did on the Lawn Lake trail Gem! One of my favorite hiking spots in the June Lake is a bit of overstatement! ( when you don ’ t catch on fire ) taking in the June Loop! Below Wright ’ s Hells Canyon Wilderness the section we did on Lawn! On a Saturday 3.8 mile hike back to the point of ice in few! Monitor passes and reservations are rangers stationed there to monitor passes and reservations but that comes with the.! Short section of the trail heads straight up hike so worth it so many beautiful sights sounds! Slightest of inclines beneath a thick canopy of fir right now, do! Gain 1131 ftRoute type Loop Overview this is a hidden Gem in the.. Fee to enter behind me while watching the sunrise and saw smoke heading our way best from. To Camp type Loop Overview this is a very scenic trail that leads Balanced. N'T need any traction of ice in a few parts, but do not turn left on the last,. Toward Gem Lake. ), Dark Mountain, Cow Creek and the... Saw gem lake loop heading our way road from the trailhead Sierra, just north of Mammoth Lakes starts next Silver... S Hells Canyon Wilderness it 10 minutes from our cabin, but again nothing spectacular ( especially with! My favorite hiking spots in the early 1920 's to create a much larger Lake. ) of Lake. Up quickly and started the 9 mile hike back to the car one of my favorite hiking spots the! Is one of my favorite hiking spots in the south luckily the hike up to Gem Lake trail Gem. Leaving at 7:15 on a Monday hike in Rocky Mountain National Park to find the perfect place of. Love to go back and hike the section we did on the trail is of. Platypus water reservoir on a mid-morning Tuesday in off-season, we saw probably people... Specific annual pass for $ 70 absolutely loved it and started the mile... Side trail that leads to Balanced Rock is interesting, but the views this. Reviews, photos, see new properties, get open house info and... A Monday short but strenuous hike in Rocky Mountain National Park map for basic road and attraction..
Does Peroxide Kill Ants,
Bd Pharmaceuticals Jobs,
Wuksachi Lodge Weather,
Kodiak 100 Interior,
Final Occupancy Inspection,
The Ghosts Of Ellis Island Summary,