Taking on a Harder Hike - And It Was Totally Worth It!

 On Wednesday, April 16th, we decided to do the hike to Gem Lake that Avi had strongly encouraged us to do. She warned that it would be more strenuous than the Cow Creek Trail, but that the views would be worth it.

We started off around 11am from the Lumpy Ridge Trailhead. The park ranger there let us know that this was a steep hike, but if we had water, some food and trekking poles, it was doable. I was very glad that I had my trekking poles because they were indispensable for the steepest parts.

While the hike was not particularly long (3.5 miles total), it had an elevation gain of nearly 1,000 feet over 1.75 miles; that's about a 10% grade - plenty steep.

The trail was interesting the whole way, with many different rock formations all around and views off in the distance when you turned around from the climb. 

Avi told us that there was an amazing view part of the way up to Gem Lake, and there would be no mistaking it. Boy, was she right!

We loved all of the crazy boulder formations that were everywhere.

There was a resting spot with that great view - never has an apple tasted so good when looking at a view like this one!

Panorama view

We thought that these boulders look like the fake ones they make at amusement parks - they were beautiful!

Gem Lake, a subalpine lake fed only by snow melt and rain. While it was a nice little lake, the views on the way to/from is what made this hike the best one we've ever done.

This was a REAL hike.

That's a tree root in the foreground - amazing how they find ways to survive and thrive in these harsh conditions.

We loved hiking around these rocks.

When we reached Gem Lake, we rested and ate a snack. Apparently, the chipmunks expected to be fed - they were bold, to say the least!

This is a view from near Gem Lake. You can see that that clouds had moved in over the mountain tops in the distance - likely getting snow there.

We finished the hike and were plenty hungry. We found a great little burger joint with great fries (like Five Guys). We enjoyed our well-earned late lunch and returned home to rest. In the evening, we watched more Deadwood and snacked for dinner. It was a great day!