Lumpy Ridge Loop, Estes Park, CO
Lumpy Ridge is a favorite route for many of our Northern Colorado Trail runners. The trail head starts just behind downtown Estes Park off of Devil’s Gulch road and although most of the loop is within Rocky Mountain National Park, the start is outside of the park and doesn’t require a permit. Drive time from Fort Collins is just a bit over an hour and since the elevation only goes up to about 9100ft, this is an excellent fall and early spring run when many of the trails higher up in RMNP are still covered in snow.
The climb up to Gem Lake in the counter clockwise direction is fairly steep and technical but most of the remaining trail is really beautiful single track. The climb up and over Black Canyon on the west end of the loop is the largest of the two main climbs but it’s deceptively difficult since you’re in the trees and don’t really notice how steep the climb is.
Here’s the map of the standard loop.
Route: 10.5 Miles
Elevation:
Approximately 2,620ft ascent
High point: 9,140ft, Low point: 7,776ft
Lumpy Ridge Profile (clockwise)
Here’s the map of the full loop including the spur trails to Bridal Veil Falls and Balanced Rock.
Route: 15.25 Miles
Elevation:
Approximately 3,460ft ascent
High point: 9,140ft, Low point: 7,776ft
Lumpy Ridge Profile with Bridal Veil Falls and Balanced Rock (clockwise)
Directions from Fort Collins: Head south to Loveland and take 34 west towards Estes Park. Take the right fork at Drake to go the back way through Glen Haven directly to Devil’s Gulch Rd and turn right onto Lumpy Ridge Rd to the trailhead. Or follow 34 all the way into Estes Park, take a right on E Wonder View and then another right on MacGregor Ave to Devil’s Gulch Rd and turn left onto Lumpy Ridge Rd to the trailhead.
The trailhead has plenty of parking space and bathrooms but no water. Dogs aren’t allowed since the majority of the trail is within the National Park.
The easy start through the open meadow heading clockwise towards Black Canyon.
The back side of the Lumpy Ridge loop is a beautiful stretch of single track along Cow Creek.
One of the many Lumpy rock formations on the climb to Gem Lake.
A frozen Gem Lake at the top of the east end of the Lumpy Ridge loop.
A cold winter sunset from Gem Lake at Lumpy Ridge
