The Twin Owls Loop circles Lumpy Ridge, a massive granite rock complex located in the NE section of Rocky Mountain National Park. It passes through ponderosa parks, riparian corridors, montane and lower-subalpine forests, making it one of the most ecologically diverse trails in the Park. Lumpy Ridge provides critical nesting habitat for golden eagles and peregrine falcons.

MacGregor Ranch was founded in 1873 by Alexander and Clara MacGregor

Goshawks, Golden Eagles, Peregrine Falcons and Coopers Hawks nest in the crags of Lumpy Ridge

Looking west up Black Canyon from the Twin Owls Loop

Bulls in rut aggressively defend their harem, and are easily agitated

The Navajo used Mountain Goldenbanner to treat coughs and headaches

Gem Lake has no natural inlet, but steep granite walls effectively funnel runoff into the basin

Columbine belong to the buttercup family

Periodic, low intensity fires are crucial to a healthy ponderosa ecosystem; ponderosa actually need fire to open their cones and release seeds

The scientific name for primrose (primula) comes from the latin word Primus, alluding to the plant's early bloom

MacGregor Ranch culls pine forests on the property to restore natural densities and mitigate beetle infestation

The rounded knobs on Lumpy Ridge are homogeneous masses of granite with uniform structure

MacGregor Ranch is a working cattle ranch at the mouth of Black Canyon on the RMNP boundary

Gem Lake's sandy shore and open rock slabs make it a popular place to explore

A 2011 Larimer County hair snag project identified 39 individual bears, one of which is resident to MacGregor Ranch

High traction granite cut by natural joints make Lumpy Ridge a world class climbing destination

The sunny meadows on either side of Lumpy Ridge are accessible most of the year

Granite outcrops on the decent from Gem Lake offer sweeping views across Estes Park and the Continental Divide

A trail splits (right) for Bridal Veil Falls on the north side of the loop

While raptors are Lumpy Ridge's main avian attraction, many small birds inhabit the area

Ponderosa bark can tolerate periodic, low intensity fires