Gem Lake and Balanced Rock
We decided that it was time to drive up to Rocky Mountain National Park for our first hike of the season in the real mountains. I picked out a relatively easy, 3.4 mile round trip out-and-back hike to Gem Lake with the intent that we would go all the way to balance rock if we were up to the challenge. Balance rock is 2 miles from Gem Lake once you're there. We woke up a little late thinking that we needed to wait until late morning so it would be a little warmer, but by the time we got there (9:30), it was already in the mid 60's and we were thinking we were in for a hot hike. The temperature never got past about 70 degrees though, and there was always a constant breeze, so it was really nice!
We got to Gem lake 50 minutes into the hike. It was only 956 feet of elevation gain and 1.7 miles to get there, so we ate a quick snack, took some photos, and headed on to Balance Rock. We got to Balance rock an hour later with a total distance of 3.94 miles since the start of our hike. Balance rock is almost at the same elevation as Gem lake, but the trail dipped down some 400 feet in elevation and then back up another 400 feet. That part of the hike really wasn't that difficult. When we got to Balance Rock, we had ascended a total of 1390 feet.
The hike took us a total of 3 hours, 35 minutes. It was 7.91 miles total with 1992 feet of elevation gain.
7.91 mi
3.6 hrs
8,591 ft
1,992 ft
Mountain Hiking
We didn't stop at too many spots along the way on the hike. There were quite a bit of trees that covered the great views of Estes. This one one spot that Katie found by climbing up on some rocks.
Yellow Flowers
There were these yellow flowers in just about every field.
Clear SKies
The sky was blue all day long and the clarity was excellent in the morning. It got a little hazy in the afternoon.
Longs Peak
Every view of the mountains were of Longs Peak.
Estes Park
You can see just about the entire city of Estes Park in this photo.
Green Aspens
There were many patches of aspens during the hike. This would be a good hike in the fall after the leaves turn.
Gem Lake
We made it to Gem lake in a little under an hour. We sat on the rocks on the other side of the lake from where this photo was taken.
Snack Time
We sat here to relax and we ate a snack. I had a granola bar and Katie had some grapes. You can see Longs Peak in the distance.
Tall Rocks
When we continued hiking, we had to hike around this giant rock formation by hiking to the right of it. Balanced Rock was on the other side of that formation.
Time To Hike On
We took one last photo at Gem Lake before continuing on to Balanced Rock.
Sandy Trails
We hiked through what felt like sand for about a quarter mile. It was pretty tough!
Through the Aspens
Balanced Rock
We made it to balanced rock a little under 2 hours since we started our hike. The trail ended at the base of Balanced Rock, which was way too close. We hiked up a little ways to find some better shots (see the next photos).
Buds
Up High
We hiked up a little ways and got a better view of Balanced Rock by going off the trail a little ways. Well worth trying to find a better view of this cool rock formation!
Poke
Katherine poking Balanced Rock.
Aspen Leaves
To the North
We found a few spots that opened up to the North.
Panorama to the North (and West and East)
On the Edge
That rock was on the edge of a pretty large drop off. Good think Katherine kept her balance.
Paul Bunyan's Boot
This was a cool rock because of the hole in it. Later, I looked it up and it's actually called "Paul Bunyan's Boot" because if you look at it from the right side, it looks like a boot with a hole in it! I wish I got a better view of it looking like a shoe, but none the less, it was still cool to see a rock this big with a hole in it.
Through the Hole
This is another shot of the hole in Paul Bunyan's Boot.
