Hike to Gem Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park | Lake Hikes

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Gem Lake - 1.7 miles

Trail Type: Lake Hike
Trailhead: Gem Lake
Trailhead Elevation: 7,840'
Destination Elevation: 8,840'
Total Elevation Gain: 1,000'
Total Roundtrip Miles: 3.4

Gem Lake with Longs Peak

Trail Description
Although the trail to Gem Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park is not particularly long, it does have a fair amount of elevation gain. But, no matter how far you go, the hike can be enjoyed with excellent views of the Estes Valley and the Front Range mountains. It's a unique landscape along Lumpy Ridge, with house-sized boulders piled about. The lake is a large pond walled in by tall rock formations.

How to Get There
From downtown Estes Park, travel north on MacGregor Ave for 1.5 miles to the Gem Lake Trailhead sign.

Trail Profile