Hiking – RMNP-Lumpy Ridge Loop

From the Lumpy Ridge (Gem Lake) trailhead, we'll proceed clockwise along the Black Canyon Trail above the MacGregor Ranch, with views of Longs Peak to the south. We'll pass a number of rock formations to our north. Four miles in we meet the Dark Mountain trail which takes us to the Cow Creek trail, then make our way to a plateau on the north side of Lumpy Ridge revealing a mountain meadow and the crags of Sheep Moutain to the north-east. We then meet the junction with a trail that takes us south-east to Gem Lake and return to the trailhead. If we are up for it we can try a 1 mile spur trail to view Balanced Rock. Overall ~11 miles and ~2500 ft elevation gain. (RMNP Lumpy Ridge Loop - CalTopo)

Carpool Place & Time: JAX Parking Lot (SE Edge), Loveland, CO at 7:00AM for 7:15AM Departure (JAX Loveland West Outdoor Gear, Farm & Ranch - Google Maps)

We'll then carpool to RMNP Lumpy Ridge trailhead parking (RMNP entrance fee) (Lumpy Ridge Trailhead - Google Maps)

If needed, we can identify an additional carpool location further south.