Hiking Project Logo

gem icon Gem Lake [Suggest Edits]

79 votes
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

Description

With a name like that, how could this not be a gem?? Gem Lake is an easily accessible mountain lake situated amongst cool boulders and rock formations. This is a great place to picnic with the family but be warned, you'll more than likely be joined by some furry little friends. As cute as the little chipmunks around Gem Lake are, please refrain from feeding them!

Short Hike: The lake is roughly two miles from the trailhead and is accessed by the Gem Lake Trail.

Family Friendly: Kids love climbing on rocks. The trail to Gem Lake is a rocky paradise lined by boulders that are perfectly arranged for climbing.

Gem Type: Lake

Shared by:
Brian Smith

0 Comments

You & This Gem

Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Nov 14, 2024
Anonymous
Sep 2, 2024
Tom Herr
Small, picturesque alpine lake just outside Estes Park. Saw Paul Bunyan's Boot while hiking the steady trail up. Loved it!
Aug 24, 2024
Ashley Didion
Beautiful hike with great views and neat rock formations. Good exercise with steep steps. However, Gem Lake was a small dirty pond.
Sep 26, 2023
Glacel Anne
A little underwhelming. Make sure to go early, it gets quite hot in the afternoon. Not as crowded as the other hikes by Bear Lake.
Jul 7, 2023
Rebecca McDaniel
6-739 up
Jun 21, 2023
Molly Stewart
May 25, 2023
Marilyn Cox
Beautiful hike!
Oct 8, 2022
Eliza Geeslin
Mom & Lucy

Nearby Gems

gem Favorite Representing the REI NP Centennial backpack at Dream Lake, looking towards Flattop Mountain (right) and Hallett Peak (left).

Dream Lake

(143) Estes Park, CO
gem Favorite Alberta Falls

Alberta Falls

(107) Estes Park, CO
gem Favorite Bear Lake.

Bear Lake

(121) Estes Park, CO
gem Favorite The Loch, Rocky Mountain NP CO

The Loch

(44) Grand Lake, CO
gem Favorite The edge of Chasm Lake

Chasm Lake and The Diamond

(37) Grand Lake, CO
gem Favorite View of Longs Peak, looking west from Lily Lake. Lily Lake Trail, Rocky Mountain National Park. Estes Park, Colorado.

Lily Lake

(33) Estes Park, CO
gem Favorite View of Chasm Falls

Chasm Falls and Old Fall River Road

(32) Estes Park, CO
gem Favorite The Roaring River.

Alluvial Fan

(37) Estes Park, CO

Nearby Trails

8.3 mi 13.3 km Sky Pond
Difficult Difficult
Estes Park, CO
Difficult Difficult
Estes Park, CO
Unknown
Update
324 
3.3 mi 5.4 km Emerald Lake
Intermediate Intermediate
Estes Park, CO
Intermediate Intermediate
Estes Park, CO
All Clear
Update
52 days ago
368 
14.0 mi 22.5 km Longs Peak - Keyhole Route
Difficult Difficult
Estes Park, CO
Difficult Difficult
Estes Park, CO
All Clear
Update
58 days ago
134 
8.2 mi 13.3 km Chasm Lake
Difficult Difficult
Estes Park, CO
Difficult Difficult
Estes Park, CO
Unknown
Update
114 
6.0 mi 9.7 km Loch Vale
Intermediate Intermediate
Estes Park, CO
Intermediate Intermediate
Estes Park, CO
Unknown
Update
88 
5.7 mi 9.1 km Best of Bear Lake Area Loop
Intermediate Intermediate
Estes Park, CO
Intermediate Intermediate
Estes Park, CO
Unknown
Update
138 
0.6 mi 1.0 km Bear Lake Trail
Easy Easy
Estes Park, CO
Easy Easy
Estes Park, CO
Minor Issues
Update
Snowy, Icy - Mostly snow packed. Micro-Spikes highly recommended. Difficult coming down without spikes.
69 days ago
89 
6.1 mi 9.9 km Cub Lake Loop
Intermediate Intermediate
Estes Park, CO
Intermediate Intermediate
Estes Park, CO
Unknown
Update
73 
7.5 mi 12.1 km Twin Sisters
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Estes Park, CO
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Estes Park, CO
Unknown
Update
64 
8.5 mi 13.6 km Bear Lake TH to Fern Lake TH
Intermediate Intermediate
Estes Park, CO
Intermediate Intermediate
Estes Park, CO
Unknown
Update
57 
Shared by Brian Smith on Aug 18, 2015. All Page Views: 6,717. Last Month: 10.
Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.