Rocky Mountain National Park's Balanced Rock Trail

Balanced Rock Trail

Description:
The Balanced Rock Trail begins on the Gem Lake Trail at an elevation of 8,650 feet and travels about a mile to the base of Balanced Rock at 8,805 feet. This trail sees low usage as most people turn around at Gem Lake. You can reach this trail by hiking about three miles from the Gem Lake Trailhead or 2.8 miles from the Cow Creek Trailhead.

The trail leaves the Gem Lake Trail and heads west and southwest through lodgepole and ponderosa pine forests. The first half mile is fairly level and is a pleasant walk. It passes through an area of dead trees that have been attacked by mountain pine beetles. The trail soon begins a descent into a little valley. Just after beginning the descent, there is a rock with another rock sitting on top of it. This is not Balanced Rock! Balanced Rock is about another half mile ahead. The trail continues across the valley and up the other side. It makes a gentle climb through a more open area and then levels off. After traveling through a saddle, the trail makes its way down the west side of a ridge to the base of Balanced Rock. It takes about an hour to make the hike to Balanced Rock and back to the Gem Lake Trail. The overall difficulty rating for this trail is easy.

Features:

Length:	1.0 miles (1.6 kilometers)
Elevation Range:	8,648' - 8,810'
Elevation change:	387 feet
Season:	May 1 - Dec 1
Difficulty:	Easy to moderate
Use:	Low
USGS maps:	Estes Park
Trailheads:	Cow Creek, Gem Lake
Restrictions:	No pets are permitted
Suitable for mountain bikes:	No (not permitted)
Suitable for horses:	Yes

Vicinity Map

Altitude Profile

Directions:
The Cow Creek Trailhead is the nearest trailhead to this trail. Travel west on Highway 34 toward the Fall River Entrance. Turn right on Devils Gulch Road and go about four miles to a dirt road signed “McGraw Ranch”. Turn left and travel about two miles to the end of the road and the McGraw Ranch at the bottom of hill. Parking is permitted on the west side of the road only. There is a turnaround at the end of the road. Take the Cow Creek Trail past the buildings to the west. Continue west for about 1.2 miles to the Gem Lake Trail intersection. Take the Gem Lake Trail for 1.6 miles to the Balanced Rock Trail. You can also reach the trail via the Gem Lake Trailhead. This trailhead is located on Devils Gulch Road about 1.6 miles north of Highway 34. It is a three mile hike via the Gem Lake Trail to the Balanced Rock Trail.

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