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Geoff Weatherford (geoffw)  > Colorado Trail Hiking > Lumpy Ridge Loop to Gem Lake, Estes Park, CO June 14, 2008
On Saturday, June 14, Will and I got up fairly early for a hike in RMNP (Rocky Mountain National Park). Please go to my trail blogging site (opens a new window) for a full description of the trip.
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Geoff Weatherford (geoffw) > On Saturday, June 14, Will and I got up fairly early for a hike in RMNP (Rocky Mountain National Park).  You can loop around a moutainous ridge (Lumpy Ridge; extensively used by climbers), come down the backside of Lumpy along Cow Creek (used to get to Bridal Veil Falls), cut across the end of the ridge to Gem Lake, and then end up back at the car.  All in all a "good" 10 mile hike (so, maybe between 10 and 11 miles) with a variety of hiking.
Geoff Weatherford (geoffw) > There are several good reasons for this hike.  One, it only takes 1 hour to drive to it.  Two, it is snow free early in the hiking season.  And three, although it is in RMNP, it does not require you to purchase an entry ticket into the park.  Good stuff : )
So, we left Fort Collins around 6:30 am, got up to "The Egg and I" in Estes Park around 7:30 am, had a rather great breakfast (combination of excellent service, excellent food, and very reasonable prices), and were on the trail no later than 9 am. I did discover that they have constructed a brand new trail head and parking lot (pretty decent in size), but it WILL fill up.  When we got there at 8:30+am there were only a couple of dozen cars.  When got back the parking lot was full (there is an additional row of parking that can't be seen in this photo).
Geoff Weatherford (geoffw) > The trail head does have a restroom facility and a good description of the trails in the area.  Take a few minutes to review and it will probably help you decide where to go.  If you do not feel like doing the "loop", there are shorter options as far as hiking.
Geoff Weatherford (geoffw) > We immediately were able to see some of the striking rock formations that Lumpy Ridge is known for (most being much larger than this, of course).
Geoff Weatherford (geoffw) > Zoom in a little.
Geoff Weatherford (geoffw) > The trail cuts over a small ridge .........
Geoff Weatherford (geoffw) > Zoom in at that mountain in the background.
Geoff Weatherford (geoffw) > And through some small clearings.  One thing you notice very quickly is that you will (for the next 4 miles) get many great views of Longs Peak and the continental divide.  So, I took many photos of Longs Peak : )
Geoff Weatherford (geoffw) > Zoom in a little on that.  Will wants us to climb Longs Peak later this year.  Hmmmm.  Looks kinda high to me.
On Saturday, June 14, Will and I got up fairly early for a hike in RMNP (Rocky Mountain National Park). You can loop around a moutainous ridge (Lumpy Ridge; extensively used by climbers), come down the backside of Lumpy along Cow Creek (used to get to Bridal Veil Falls), cut across the end of the ridge to Gem Lake, and then end up back at the car. All in all a "good" 10 mile hike (so, maybe between 10 and 11 miles) with a variety of hiking.
 > On Saturday, June 14, Will and I got up fairly early for a hike in RMNP (Rocky Mountain National Park).  You can loop around a moutainous ridge (Lumpy Ridge; extensively used by climbers), come down the backside of Lumpy along Cow Creek (used to get to Bridal Veil Falls), cut across the end of the ridge to Gem Lake, and then end up back at the car.  All in all a "good" 10 mile hike (so, maybe between 10 and 11 miles) with a variety of hiking.
On Saturday, June 14, Will and I got up fairly early for a hike in RMNP (Rocky Mountain National Park). You can loop around a moutainous ridge (Lumpy Ridge; extensively used by climbers), come down the backside of Lumpy along Cow Creek (used to get to Bridal Veil Falls), cut across the end of the ridge to Gem Lake, and then end up back at the car. All in all a "good" 10 mile hike (so, maybe between 10 and 11 miles) with a variety of hiking.
Camera: Olympus Corporation (C770uz) |
More details: exif |
Original size: 3000px x 2245px |
Current: 400px x 299px |
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filename: P6140101 |
Keywords: rocky lake trail park hike mountain cow colorado creek national estes ridge gem lumpy
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