Hike the Lumpy Ridge Loop in Rocky Mountain National Park | Longer Hike

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Lumpy Ridge - 10.7 mile loop

Trail Type: Longer Hike
Trailhead: Gem Lake
Beginning Elevation: 7,840'
Destination Elevation: 9,122'
Total Elevation Gain: 1,282'
Total Roundtrip Miles: 10.7

Lumpy Ridge Trail, Rocky Mountain National Park

The view from the Lumpy Ridge trail

Trail Description
Begin at the busy Twin Owls parking lot in Rocky Mountain National Park and hike up the Gem Lake trail with its fantastic views of the Estes Valley and the Front Range peaks. Once at Gem Lake, follow around the west shoreline and take the northerly trail that drops into the Cow Creek drainage. Once at the bottom, cross Cow Creek and take the trail that travels west through open montane meadows. The trail will continue past the Bridal Veil trail, going by groves of aspens, before ascending into pine forest on the Dark Mountain trail. Stay to the left at the trail junction with the Black Canyon trail where the trail begins to descend to the western foot of Lumpy Ridge. Continue on this path back to the Twin Owls parking lot.

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