Bridal Veil Falls + OPTIONAL Gem Lake - Carpool from Estes Park Parking Garage
Details
We’ve done the Bridal Veil Falls hike a few times at this time of year and the falls have been splendid! We will NOT need a timed entry permit for the hike as it is not on the Bear Lake Corridor so no permit is required before 9am. Parking along the road at the trailhead is very limited, so we will meet at the Estes Park Parking Structure and carpool from there to the Cow Creek Trailhead.
FOR THOSE INTERESTED, ASSUMING WEATHER IS GOOD & WE CAN GET A PARKING SPOT AT THE TH, I’M OPEN TO ADDING ON THE QUICK HIKE TO GEM LAKE AFTER BRIDAL VEIL FALLS…FOR SOME DIFFERENT SCENERY AND A FEW EXTRA MILES. It starts at a trailhead which is on the way back to the parking garage so we could carpool as needed to allow those who are done to head back to the garage and those who want to do Gem Lake, to carpool to Gem Lake TH. I will get a timed entry permit so we can park at the Lumpy Ridge TH where the hike to Gem Lake starts.
Hikes scheduled months in advance are always subject to date/time change or cancellation due to weather, trail conditions or closures, or other unforeseen circumstances. We hike as a group at a moving pace of about 2.5 mph. Everyone is expected to wait at all intersections & periodically otherwise so that no one is left behind or hiking on their own for safety purposes.
Difficulty: Bridal Veil Falls is about 6.5 miles with about 1,000 feet elevation gain. Gem Lake is about 3.5 miles with about 1,000 feet elevation gain.
HIKE DESCRIPTION BRIDAL VEIL FALLS: Bridal Veil Falls is a gem tucked away in the northern reaches of Rocky Mountain National Park. The hike closely follows Cow Creek through ponderosa pine and aspen-fir forests to the 20 foot cascade. This trail features abundant wildlife and views of Lumpy Ridge - a prominent granite rock complex home to numerous raptor species. There will be some rock scrambling near the waterfall in order to get to the falls. We will plan to take a short break at the waterfall. See the following hike in alltrails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/bridal-veil-falls-trail?search=true
HIKE DESCRIPTION GEM LAKE: The Gem Lake Trail starts at the Lumpy Ridge Trailhead, near the Twin Owls, two rock formations that look like large owls overlooking the town of Estes Park. The climb up to Gem Lake has outstanding views of the mountains in RMNP. At about 1.5 miles, we will come to a landing with a rock formation called, “Paul Bunyan’s Boot.” The rock was named so, because it looks like a giant’s hiking boot with a hole worn through the sole. After just under two miles, we emerge at a Gem Lake…a small pool that is nestled into a serene rock outcropping. See the following hike in alltrails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/gem-lake-trail
DOGS: 🚫 not allowed in RMNP.
ADDRESS/DIRECTIONS: Because parking is very limited at the trailhead, we will meet at the Estes Park Parking Structure and carpool to the Cow Creek Trailhead. The address for the Parking Structure is 691 N. St. Vrain Ave., Estes Park 80157. After parking, let’s meet by the charging stations outside the parking structure (see photo).
For carpool drivers: To get to the Cow Creek Trailhead, you can click on the Bridl Veil Falls alltrails link above and click directions. Or if you use Google maps, you can type in “Cow Creek Trailhead” for directions.
We wait 5 minutes for late arrivals…but no longer as that is inconsiderate to those arriving timely. So please allow extra time to get to the trailhead.
IMPORTANT: This is a participate at your own risk event! Life is risky. I am not a professional guide and am simply hosting this event. By signing up for this hike you acknowledge that you are capable of performing this hike and that you are solely responsible for your own safety.
NO SHOWS: If you are a no-show to 2 hikes, you will be booted from this meetup group. So please change your RSVP to “not going” if you are unable to make it.
WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING: Water, snacks, layers of clothing, good hiking shoes/boots, sunscreen, bug repellant, sunglasses, hat, gloves, hiking poles (if you find them helpful), and anything else you deem essential.
WEATHER: Here is the NOAA forecast for the hike location. For hourly temps, wind, precipitation, etc., click “Hourly Weather Forecast” in the upper right. https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-105.54650642787382&lat=40.43256776936349
REQUIRED WAIVER: If you have not already done so, you must sign the updated waiver with our new meetup name prior to this hike. I will have copies at the trailhead that you can sign or you may print, sign, and bring it with you from the following website: https://www.dropbox.com/s/p728z28jjuwdzws/Waiver%20Corona.pdf?dl=0
If you choose to sign at the trailhead, please arrive early so that we can depart for the hike timely.