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Here are four lakes that can provide interesting hikes with great views, but it should be mentioned that the Brainard Lake Area has been overused and overpopulated since the late 1950s. These four lakes are closed to camping between May 1 and November 30. How to get there: Go to Boulder, turn west up Boulder Canyon on CO119 to Nederland. Turn north in Nederland on CO72, and follow to Ward. As you pass the main road into Ward, which will be on your right; immediately (.1 mile) on your left will be a road with a sign indicating the Brainard Lake Recreation Area. Turn onto this road and follow it around Brainard Lake to the Long Lake parking area, noted on the map as (P)1. The trail to Mitchell and Blue Lakes: The trail to Mitchell and Blue Lakes starts from the Long Lake parking lot (P)1 by going north on Beaver Creek Trail (FS911). You will pass the South St. Vrain Trail FS909 on the right, and the trail to Mitchell and Blue Lakes will split off from FS911 at .2 miles. Follow FS912, and in another .8 mile, you will reach Mitchell Lake. If you want to go to Blue Lake continue on FS912 for another 1.5 miles and you have arrived. There is lots of grass and small snowmelt streams flowing along the trail, but there are no trees around these lakes. The trail to Long and Isabelle Lakes: The Pawnee Pass Trail (FS907) takes you to Long and Isabelle Lakes. Start from the Long Lake parking lot (P)1. The east end of Long Lake is only .4 miles. Isabelle Lake is another 1.5 miles west of Long Lake on FS907. OVERNIGHT BACKPACK TRIPS There are an endless number of places to set up your backpack camp in the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area although you need that camping permit in your hand. Some of the more desirable locations that backpackers seem to favor are listed below, but remember to stay a minimum of 100 feet away from lakes, streams, and trails. Overnight campsites are noted with a solid small teepee on the provided maps.
Created on: 2024-09-08 12:08:19