Gem Lake Trail,
Rocky Mountain National Park
Elevation
The Gem Lake Trail has a maximum elevation of 8,924 ft., a minimum elevation of 7,871 ft. and an elevation range of 1,053 ft.
Metrics
| [ A to B ] or [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Length 2 | Min Ele 3 | Max Ele 4 | Range 5 |
| 4.5 mi | 7,871 ft | 8,924 ft | 1,053 ft |
| [ A to B ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time 6 | Floors 7 | Gain 8 | Loss 9 |
| 2.3 hrs | 87.6 | 1,051 ft | 847 ft |
| [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time | Floors | Gain | Loss |
| 2.3 hrs | 70.6 | 847 ft | 1,051 ft |
Calories
The following chart shows the total calories that you may expend on the trail while hiking in both directions. The chart is based on data derived from a statistical model of energy expenditure that relates gross weight, typical speed and trail topography.
Topo Maps
Download the PDF Gem Lake Trail topo map and the adjoining quads to plan your hike. These are full-sheet, 7.5 Minute (1:24,000 scale) topographic maps.
Adjoining 7.5' Quadrangle Legend
- Northwest Topo Map: Comanche Peak, CO
- North Topo Map: Pingree Park, CO
- Northeast Topo Map: Crystal Mountain, CO
- West Topo Map: Trail Ridge, CO
- Topo Map: Estes Park, CO
- East Topo Map: Glen Haven, CO
- Southwest Topo Map: McHenrys Peak, CO
- South Topo Map: Longs Peak, CO
- Southeast Topo Map: Panorama Peak, CO
FAQ
What is the length of the Gem Lake Trail?
The length of the trail is 4.5 miles (7.2 km) or 10,068 steps.
How long does it take to hike the Gem Lake Trail?
A person in good physical health can hike the trail in 2.3 hours in one direction and in 2.3 hours in the opposite direction.
Warnings
Prevent tick bites: Treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents with products containing 0.5% permethrin.
(cdc.gov)
- The American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) may be present in this area. The American dog tick transmits Tularemia and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
- The Brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) may be present in this area. The Brown dog tick transmits Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
- The Lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) may be present in this area. The Lone star tick transmits Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Ehrlichia ewingii, (which cause human Ehrlichiosis), Heartland Virus, Tularemia, and STARI.
- The Rocky Mountain wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni) may be present in this area. The Rocky Mountain wood tick transmits Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Colorado Tick Fever, and Tularemia.
Footnotes
- Steps is a unit of distance equal to the sum of stride lengths that vary with the terrain.
- Length is the distance of the trail between the two trailheads, measured on the trail.
- Min Ele is the minimum elevation on the trail.
- Max Ele is the maximum elevation on the trail.
- Range is the difference between maximum and minimum elevation.
- Time is the typical total time required to hike the trail.
- Floors is the gain divided by twelve feet, the height of one floor.
- Gain (cumulative elevation gain) is the sum of every gain in elevation.
- Loss (cumulative elevation loss) is the sum of every loss in elevation.