What we’re about
This hiking group is all about hiking for fun and fitness, so our goal is to hike at a moderate moving pace (2.5 to 3 mph moving pace on hikes with elevation gain and 3-4 mph on flatter hikes) and of course have fun! I am more of a 2.5 mph hiker, but many in this meetup are faster. We hike mainly on weekday mornings, but there may be some weekends during the winter when trails are less busy. So if you are an intermediate hiker that enjoys hiking in the morning, join us on some great hikes!
MEETUP FEES: The fees that I pay to meetup to host this group are $358 per year. If you come to a lot of my hikes and would like to help me pay the meetup fees, I appreciate any donations to help with fees. However there is no requirement to help out. More important to me than the fees is having hiking partners!
WEATHER: For weather forecasts, here is a great website. You can get forecasts for parks, mountains, etc: https://www.weather.gov/
10 ESSENTIALS: You should also consider carrying the 10 essentials on hikes. Here is a link to the 10 essentials: https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ten-essentials.html
COLORADO RESCUE: I strongly encourage you to purchase a CORSAR card. We are well served by dedicated volunteer search and rescue teams. By purchasing a Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue (CORSAR) card you are contributing to the Search and Rescue Fund, that reimburses teams for costs incurred in search and rescues activities across the State of Colorado. The CORSAR card is available for $3 for a one-year card and $12 for five-year card at the following website: https://cdola.colorado.gov/funding-programs/search-and-rescue-fund
WAIVER: I have a liability waiver that must be signed before attending an event. The waiver can be found at the following link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/p728z28jjuwdzws/Waiver%20Corona.pdf?dl=0
You may print it from the link above, sign it, and bring it with you to your first event. Or I will have copies with me at the trailhead. If you choose to sign it at the trailhead, please arrive to the event early so that we can depart on time for the hike. Thanks.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Gem Lake, Cow 🐄 Creek, Black Canyon, Twin Owls 🦉Loop Hike RMNPNeeds location
Difficulty: about 10.5 miles with about 2,500 feet elevation gain.
RMNP FEE: Even though you don’t pass through a RMNP entrance station, a pass is required for this hike. If you do not have an annual America the Beautiful Pass, you can buy a day pass or annual pass here: https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/fees.htm
Hikes are always subject to date/time change or cancellation due to weather, trail conditions or closures, or other unforeseen circumstances. We hike as a group and hike at an average moving pace of about 2.5mph (slower up…faster down). Everyone is expected to wait at all intersections & periodically otherwise so that no one is left behind or hiking on their own for safety purposes. We will plan to have lunch at an appropriate spot & we will stop as needed along the way for water, snacks, pictures, etc.
HIKE DESCRIPTION: The trail starts at the Lumpy Ridge Trailhead, near the Twin Owls, two rock formations that look like large owls overlooking the town of Estes Park. We will do this loop hike counterclockwise. At about 1.5 miles, we will come to a landing with a rock formation called, “Paul Bunyan’s Boot.” The rock was named so, because it looks like a giant’s hiking boot with a hole worn through the sole. After just under two miles, we emerge at a Gem Lake…a small pool that is nestled into a serene rock outcropping. From there, we will complete the loop around past the Twin Owls rock formation. We will do the following hike in alltrails, but we will do it counterclockwise: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/black-canyon-dark-mountain-cow-creek-gem-lake-loop
DOGS: 🚫 not allowed in RMNP.
ADDRESS/DIRECTIONS: We will meet at the Lumpy Ridge Trailhead. To get there, you can click on the alltrails link above and click directions. If you use Apple Maps or Google maps, you can type in “Lumpy Ridge Trailhead” for directions.
We wait 5 minutes for late arrivals…but no longer as that is inconsiderate to those arriving timely. So please allow extra time to get to the trailhead.
IMPORTANT: This is a participate at your own risk event! Life is risky. I am not a professional guide and am simply hosting this event. By signing up for this hike you acknowledge that you are capable of performing this hike and that you are solely responsible for your own safety.
NO SHOWS: If you are a no-show to 2 hikes, you will be booted from this meetup group. So please change your RSVP to “not going” if you are unable to make it.
WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING: Water, snacks, layers of clothing, good hiking shoes/boots, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, gloves, hiking poles (if you find them helpful), and anything else you deem essential. PLEASE ALSO BRING MICROSPIKES IN CASE WE NEED THEM.
WEATHER: Here is the NOAA forecast for the hike location. For hourly temps, wind, precipitation, etc., click “Hourly Weather Forecast” in the upper right. https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-105.54650642787382&lat=40.43256776936349
REQUIRED WAIVER: If you have not already done so, you must sign the updated waiver with our new meetup name prior to this hike. I will have copies at the trailhead that you can sign or you may print, sign, and bring it with you from the following website: https://www.dropbox.com/s/p728z28jjuwdzws/Waiver%20Corona.pdf?dl=0
If you choose to sign at the trailhead, please arrive early so that we can depart for the hike timely.
