Gem Lake Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park

Gem Lake is a beautiful trail that starts at Lumpy Ridge Trailhead - I do have to argue the 3.3 miles round trip as my MAPMYHIKE brought me in at 4.79 but that was from my truck in the parking lot to the lake and back to my truck.

Round-Trip Length:	3.3 miles
Start-End Elevation:	7,882' - 8,830'
Elevation Change:	+948' net elevation gain (+971' total roundtrip elevation gain)
Skill Level:	Moderate-Strenuous
Dogs Allowed:	No
Bikes Allowed:	No
Horses Allowed:	Yes
Related Trails:	Bridal Veil Falls North Boundary Trail Twin Owls Loop

Here is what the park says about Gem Lake: 

Gem Lake is located 1.65 miles from the Lumpy Ridge Trailhead on the northeast side of Rocky Mountain National Park. It fills a shallow depression near the top of Lumpy Ridge, a massive granite rock complex home to numerous raptor species and world class climbing.

Gem Lake is unusual in that there's no true inlet or outlet stream - surrounding rock traps, collects, and steers water into the small basin. The lake faces south at a modest elevation, meaning less snow and faster melt that make it one of Rocky Mountain's most accessible 4 season hikes.

In May 2007 the Twin Owls Trailhead was relocated approximately .5 miles to the east and re-named Lumpy Ridge Trailhead. The new trailhead - which accesses Gem Lake, the Twin Owls Loop and all Lumpy Ridge climbing destinations - holds more parking and updated park information.

Some maps do not illustrate the recent move. Signs at Lumpy Ridge Trailhead clearly depict new routing and distances affected by the relocation:

The trail climbs steeply through mature ponderosa and aspen all the way to Gem Lake. Sculpted granite boulders line the trail and lend to the area's unique aesthetic. Autumn visitors will enjoy brilliant colors and a gold carpet of fallen leaves.

Openings in the forest yield rangy panoramas that include Longs Peak (14,259'), Estes Cone (11,011'), Taylor Peak (13,163'), Powell Peak (13,208'), McHenrys Peak (13,327'), and the Estes Park area.

The moderately-strenuous grade levels out only upon reaching Gem Lake. The lake's west shore is beach-like, while the north and east shores are encased by vertical granite walls that can be reached from their flat base just above waterline.

The trail continues past Gem Lake on longer routes to Bridal Veil Falls and the Twin Owls Loop.

That was taken directly from the ProTrails page on Gem Lake.  http://www.protrails.com/trail/20/rocky-mountain-national-park-gem-lake 

Here is what I have to say - in just pictures - it was a great hike - only 1 other person on the trail this morning until I was most of the way down then ran into 30 people.