I chose Gem Lake for my initial acclimation hike for this trip. Once there, I would decide whether that was enough for the day or whether I would continue on to Balanced Rock, which I hadn't visited yet. The new Lumpy Ridge trailhead is very nice. Much bigger and better than the old one.
Be sure to click on these thumbnail photos for larger versions.
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1. This hike is in Lumpy Ridge where there are numerous "lumpy" rock formations.  |
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2. This trail is well used and very easy to follow. |
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3. More of the trail. |
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4. Twin Owls, not very recognizable from this angle. |
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5. This shot was actually taken on the way back down, but it fits here in the sequence of things you see on the way up. There is a large slabby rock area here with wide open views of the Estes valley and the mountains. It's a nice spot to come to for the July 4th fireworks display. |
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7. The trail. |
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8. This rock, looking a lot like a boot with a hole in the sole, is known as Paul Bunyan's Boot. |
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9. Another shot of the boot. |
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10. I don't know if this rock has a name or not. If it doesn't, I'm calling it PI Rock. |
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11. A portion of the trail is a staircase of rock. |
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12. The trail, very near the lake. |
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13. This is Gem Lake. It was a very calm morning and the mirrored surface of the lake reflects the rock wall behind. |
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14. Another picture of the lake. |
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15. It was still early, and I was feeling like I wanted to go farther, so I continued on past Gem Lake on the trail leading to Balanced Rock. That is Mummy Mountain off in the distance. |
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16. An interesting eroded rock. |
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17. The trail. |
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18. Look at that. It's Balanced Rock. |
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19. Another view of Balanced Rock. |
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20. Anyone else see animal shapes in these rocks? |
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21. Another shot of Gem Lake on the way back. |
