Gem Lake Trail

The shallow waters of Gem Lake are cradled high among the rounded granite domes of Lumpy Ridge. Untouched by glaciation, this outcrop of 1.8 billion year-old granite has been sculpted by wind and chemical erosion into a backbone-like ridge. Signs of these erosional forces - pillars, potholes, and balanced rocks - appear midway along the trail to Gem Lake. Other highlights include spectacular views of the Estes Valley and Continental Divide, and a curious balanced rock called Paul Bunyan's Boot.

Rocky Mountain National Park, 1000 Highway 36 , Estes Park, CO, 80517-8397, Phone: 970-586-1206, Fax: 970-586-1256, TTY: 970-586-1319