Hiking up the Lumpy Loop

Elevation: 9172’

Roundtrip: 11 Miles

Elevation Gain: 2475’

The adventure begins at the Cow Creek Trailhead and follows a well-established trail counterclockwise for 13.6 miles.  The park service has provided clear signage along the way to ensure you stay on course. Be prepared for open meadow walks, moderate elevation gain in dense forest, and scenic overlooks.  The "The Lumpy Loop" journey allows you to wash away stresses of the week and replace them with the wonderful smells and views of springtime in the Rocky Mountains.

Spring flowers open in tranquil meadows along Cow Creek including small, brilliantly pink Mountain Ball Cactus flowers in the cow pasture at McGregor Ranch, and Pasque Flowers with their blueish bulb on sloping forest floor around Gem Lake.  Aspen trees begin to blossom and display new color while sweet smells of budding Willows and hummingbirds’ hums fill the air.

Countless rock formations in Lumpy Ridge allow your imagination to run wild. Keep an eye out for raptors including the Peregrine Falcon and Red Tail Hawk that make their home in the cliffs. You might also notice climbers making attempts up pitches like The Book or Twin Owls. View the town of Estes Park and the Continental Divide before pulling off at Gem Lake to enjoy a snack before continuing back to the trailhead.

Access the Cow Creek trailhead by taking US HWY 34 bypass (the road that goes by the Stanley Hotel) for about a mile.  Turn right onto MacGregor Avenue (CR 43). Continue for about 3.4 miles until you see McGraw Ranch Road on your left. You’ll see NPS signs for McGraw Ranch.  Follow that dirt road for about 1 mile and look for roadside parking on your right-hand side or left-hand side. Walk toward the old farmhouse and outbuildings to locate the start of the Cow Creek trailhead.

Tip 1: Parking is very limited at Cow Creek Trailhead. Start early to get a spot and to avoid crowds heading to Gem Lake.

Tip 2: The Lumpy Loop can also be started from Gem Lake Trailhead. Starting from McGraw Ranch is about 1.2 miles further.