25 replies to this topic

[junkie]

In plotting my hikes for this summer, I am looking at Gem lake as a fairly simple hike. I see you can get there from both the Gem Lake Trailhead or the Twin Owls TH. Is one any better than the other.

Any other comments on this hike in general...is it worth the time? I was considering this as maybe a first day warm up type deal.

Chris

[DeeCeeM]

I don't know about hiking there, but I've ridden there and really enjoyed it. Here's a photo of the lake. (Sorry about the large size.)


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[Aaron]

Gem Lake is goatboy's favorite hike. Hopefully he'll see this and tell you all about it.

As for Jenny and I it's not really our "cup of tea". We prefer hikes with more reward in the form of "visual stimulation" such as more green, water, etc. It's not a bad hike just "not our bag" as Austin Powers would say.

--Aaron

[TempestT-37]

I have thought about trying the gem lake hike. DCM your photo (I like the image size) makes me want to try it even more.

[DeeCeeM]

Aaron, it's no wonder you don't like Gem Lake. You probably have nightmares about it!

(Click here if you don't remember the story Aaron told about Gem Lake.)

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[Aaron]

You're right! I've probably got some kind of subconscious thing going on now ever since that "incident". I think I will try goatboy's route that he told me about a few years ago when I met him out there. I'll send him a PM so he can get on this topic.

--Aaron

[GLENNinPA]

I hiked the lake in May 2003. It was cold that day but I heard in the summer it is avery hot trail. It is a great hike especially for the kids. There are alot of Rock Formations to see including the Twin Owls as well as a very cool Paul Bunyon's Boot. The Rock looks like a giant boot with a hole in it. The Lake itself is very small but beautiful. It was foggy up there the day we went. We used the Twin Owls trailhead when we went.

Here is an overused photo that I took that day.

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[GLENNinPA]

Here is another one.

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[TempestT-37]

OK, that’s it, I’m taking our kids on this hike. Now what to do to convince the wife. Loved the photos glenn.

[foxfire]

Ok guys! I say do Gem Lake. My idea??? Just because I, myself, want to all RMNP hikes, atleast once. Probably most, many times in different conditions and/or seasons. My wife and I have done it from the Devils Gulch Road TH. I consider it worth doing even though not as great as most of the rest we've done. My ! Just want to do them all!

[mwilson]

In all of our trips to RMNP, we had never hiked to Gem Lake until last summer. It was our first hike of the trip and we really enjoyed it. From there we went on to Balanced Rock. We only saw a couple of other people on the trail. It was a cloudy day, so the fact that is can be a hot trail really didn't bother.

Marsha

[Veik]

I hiked up there one 4th of July. There is a big slabby rock area part way up with a good view of Estes Park where I watched the fireworks display from.

[Veik]

Oh yah. I used the Gem Lake Trailhead.

[foxfire]

Yep! Gem Lake TH, off of Devil's Gulch Road. And ditto on the good veiw of Estes. Foxfire

[goatboy]

hi everyone
sorry i didnt see this thread sooner but i just have a little time for this and later i will post the perfect link for you to research GEM LAKE hike. i have personally hiked it since i was 8 yrs old or so! i have gone all the ways there is front and back climbed all rocks around it and know each chipmunk by name and get christmas cards from them every year!! you will not regret this hike and i will post a link later for you.
goatboy