Text File | 1994-05-02 | 1019 b | 5 lines | [TEXT/MSWD]
Gem Lake has neither inlet or outlet and thus owes its existence to the bedrock and drainage from the surrounding slopes. It gets a bit stagnant and thus has many interesting small creatures growing in it (not visible in Winter).
Gem Lake sits in the Lumpy Ridge area, surrounded by interesting (weird) shapes of granite weathered for thousands of years into lumpy looking rocks with plenty of hand holds favored by technical climbers. It sits on the northeast boundary of the Park in full view of the city of Estes Park. The trail runs 1.8 miles up a moderate slope to 8,830; an altitude gain of 910 feet (on our Virtual Trip). The lake is extremely small (2 acres) and is only 5 feet deep.
attraction is having the most interesting geology and beautiful views out to the Continental Divide.
This lake was discovered by Israel Rowe, a bear Hunter who came to Estes Park in 1875 to help build a toll road. He also discovered Rowe Glacier in the Mummy Range between Rowe and Hague Peaks.#
