Gem Lake/Balanced Rock/Cow Creek (B-)

Name: Gem Lake/Balanced Rock/Cow Creek (B-)
Start: 2025-07-26T06:00:00-06:00
End: 2025-07-26T15:00:00-06:00
Location: Lumpy Ridge Trailhead

Hosted By

Kathy C.

Details

Hike description: This beautiful 7.5 mile, 1,350 ft elevation gain hike in RMNP will start at Lumpy Ridge Trail to Gem Lake and come out at Cow Creek. In between, we’ll hike beyond Gem Lake to Balanced Rock and then back via Cow Creek Trail. So, this will be a shuttle hike. On the way up to Gem Lake, we’ll look back for spectacular views of Longs Peak and other peaks in the park. We will have a snack at Gem Lake then proceed along a treed path to the Balanced Rock area with more than one rock miraculously balancing on a precipice. There are spectacular views here too. Heading out, we’ll pass through evergreens and aspen and end up in Cow Creek where our first car is parked and ready to take us home via the other car at Gem Lake. Limit is 6 hikers. For questions, contact Kathy Cadigan at [kathycadigan1@gmail.com](mailto:kathycadigan1@gmail.com). If interested, please let me know if you have a National Parks Pass and are willing to drive.
Hike length, starting elevation, elevation gain: The hike distance is 7.5 miles, starting at 8,900. The elevation gain is 1,350.
Meetup Location and rideshare amount: The meeting place for this hike will be at Jax West in Loveland at Eisenhower and Wilson at just before 5:45am*. Besides the Hike Leader, one other driver with a National Parks will be needed. Roundtrip travel to the trailheads is about 100 miles so the rideshare fee is $10.00.
Lateness: We will wait only 5 minutes for late arrivals at the meetup location. Please allow extra time to get to the meetup location by the stated meetup time.
Hike Pace: This hike will be at a moderate pace. We hike as a group and will stop at appropriate spots, as needed, along the way for water, snacks, photos, etc.
Things to Bring: Water, snacks, lunch, appropriate clothing for the weather, sturdy hiking shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat and hiking poles, especially for a short steep downhill.
Weather Forecast: See the forecast for the trail area here: https://forecast.weather.gov (enter the location). Any changes to the hike due to weather conditions will be communicated on Meetup.
Cancellation of Hike: Hikes are always subject to date/time change or cancellation due to weather, trail conditions or closures, or other unforeseen circumstances. You will be notified if the hike is cancelled for any reason.
Required Waiver: If you have not already done so, you must sign the LMC waiver available on our website (see below) prior to this hike. Please print, sign, and bring with you a form available at this link: https://lovelandmountainclub.org/images/Forms/2024application-renewal-waiver.pdf. If you need to sign the waiver at the meetup place, please contact the hike leader. By signing up for this hike you acknowledge that you can perform it at 2 miles/hour and that you are solely responsible for your own safety.
Covid Protocol: Fully Covid vaccinated hikers only for carpooling. At the hike leader's discretion, non-vaccinated hikers may meet at the trailhead. Please contact the hike leader to discuss this matter.