The Brainard Lake Recreational Area near Ward, Colorado, is a very popular destination for outdoorsmen and women of all types. Better revise thanks. The hike to Lake Isabelle from Long Lake Trailhead is an adventure I have done every summer since I moved to Colorado. Indian Peaks Wilderness, Brainard Lake, Long Lake, Lake Isabelle. One of our favorite winter snowshoe adventures leads you from Brainard Lake up to Lake Isabelle. Challenge Level: Intermediate, 6.7 Miles, 787' Total Elevation Gain, 4 Hours - Lake Isabelle should be reserved for later in your vacation when you are more acclimated to higher altitudes as it starts at 10,300'. Hiked to long lake, used the Pawnee pass trail to lake Isabelle and Pawnee Pass. The hike to Lake Isabelle begins from the Long Lake I strongly recommend getting an early start. The trail wasnt too busy since it was a weekday. Lake Isabelle. The Pine Lodge - San Isabel Lake -. Your trailhead instructions cannot be for the Indian Peaks Isabelle out of Brainard Lake area! Lake Isabelle is a surprising Colorado subalpine lake positioned within the Indian Peaks Desolate tract. Brainard Lake Road Parking to Long Lake Trailhead 6.3 miles (Round Trip) Long Lake Trailhead to Lake Isabelle 4.89 miles (Round Trip) Map to Lake Isabelle and Jean Lunning Trail From mid-June to September, the hike to Lake Isabelle provides relatively easy access to a beautiful alpine lake in the heart of the Indian Peaks Wilderness. Follow the signs to the long lake trailhead. Lake Isabelle is located 2.1 miles from Long Lake Trailhead in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area in Boulder County. Gulp down the fresh mountain air whipping across the open tundra as you tool around the lake. While there are plenty of beautiful locations along the way, you'll be greatly rewarded if you make the trek to Long Lake or the areas beyond. It then makes a short climb to Lake Isabelle, which sits below treeline. Brainard Lake trailhead. Brainard Lake Rd Ward CO 80481. The Brainard Lake Road is open seasonally. Savannah Chandler Photography | Colorado Elopement Photographer | Brainard Recreation Area Hiking Elopement. Hiking to Lake Isabelle from Long Lake. I went with family with various levels of stamina. Follow HWY 72 north for 13 miles to the town of Ward. The Z7 exposures for the images averaged between 0.8 seconds to 1/8 of a second at f/11, f/14, f/16 and f/20. I wanted to say up and back, but the climb was only about 400 feet to 10,868 feet at Lake Isabelle. From the CO-72/Brainard Lake Road intersection near Ward, CO, follow the Brainard Lake Road west for ~5.1 miles (past Brainard Lake) and turn right onto Mitchell Lake Road. Mitchell and Blue Lake are located in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area, west of Boulder, Colorado. It lies at tree-line in a stunning alpine valley surrounded by Navajo (13,409), Apache (13,441) and Shoshoni (12,967) peaks. Denver Intl. Follow HWY 72 north for 13 miles to the town of Ward. Photos (1,079) Directions. From the Rainbow Lakes Campground first come, first serve. Welcome to the first of our Rocky Mountain Ride Adventures blog series where the RMR team takes you with them on their outdoor excursions. Mitchell and Blue Lake are located in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area, west of Boulder, Colorado. I had been scoping this one out for quite some time and had Long Lake Today I wanted to go back to Lake Isabelle, where I hadnt been since October 5, just before they locked the gate for the winter. From Nederland, drive 13 miles north on Colorado Highway 72 to the town of Ward - you will see the sign for The hike to lake isabelle begins from the long lake trailhead in the brainard lake recreation area. Brainard lake, just a few steps from the parking lot offers some lovely views and some picnic areas. The northern of the two valleys holds Mitchell and Blue Lakes, while the southern valley holds Long Lake and Lake Isabelle. The hike to lake isabelle begins from the long lake trailhead in the brainard lake recreation area. Prices and availability are subject to change. Five small lakes lie within the Brainard Lakes Recreation Area in the east central Indian Peaks Wilderness area of the Roosevelt National Forest. Protrails Corona Lake Photo Gallery Indian Peaks Wilderness Area Colorado Colorado Colorado Hiking Colorado Mountains . Hiking along the road from the entrance gate will add about 4.0 mi to the overall trip but this area, covered in snow, is incredible. Probably the easiest hike on this list, Lake Isabelle is a quick and easy out-and-back with a huge payoff. Lake Isabelle is reached via an easy 2.1-mile jaunt along the Pawnee Pass trail, beginning from the Long Lake trailhead in the popular Brainard Lake Recreation Area. Hike We Like: Isabelle Glacier Trail. Begin at the Long Lake trailhead, which is located inside the Brainard Lake Recreation Area. Lake Isabelle is a gorgeous alpine lake that is tucked within the Brainard Lake Recreation Area and connects to both Long Lake and the Pawnee Pass trail. It is approximately five miles west from Colorado Highway 72 at Ward to reach Brainard Lake. Hikers start on the Brainard Lake Game House (instructions, parking, and allow data under), the place there are dozens of incredible day hike choices for all talent ranges. Turn west onto the Brainard Lake Road (a.k.a. For a longer, more difficult hike with a breathtaking reward, extend your adventure to include Lake Isabelle. Use the We waited an hour in line to get into Brainard Lake Recreation area in Roosevelt National Forrest. One of the highlights of my week is opening the Kern Valley Sun on my computer and reading about all the happenings at the lake, even though I have not been back in over 30 years. Trailhead: Long Lake Trailhead (near Brainard Lake) Our destination of the day was the valley on the far left, and the plan was to make it at least as far as the first lake Long Lake and possibly all the way back to the second Lake Isabelle. Heading out from the Long Lake Trailhead, the trail begins its relatively gentle ascent up to Long Lake and Lake Isabelle. Brainard Lake. Reservations can be made in advance by lot you want. ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS STORY. The limited parking spots at In celebration, I decided to venture over to Indian Peaks Wilderness for the first time and hike to Lake Isabelle. Lake Isabelle lies hidden in a high, isolated bowl-shaped basin at the top of the South St. Vrain drainage in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area. I thought the hike was easy to Long Lake, and it got moderate to difficult closer to Lake Isabelle. It is not a natural lake but a reservoir. Roads a little tight, and backing into some sites difficult for larger rvs. Ask for a map. You can read more on this iconic trail via AllTrails here . The cheapest prices found with in the last 7 days for return flights were $438 and for one-way flights to Lake Isabella for the period specified. It is set along the Frontier Pathways and Historic Byway in th. This year I did the hike in August and conditions were perfect. To get to the actual Isabelle Glacier Trail, hop on the Pawnee Pass Trail at the Long Lake Trailhead in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area. The cost was $11 cash. So even though Brainard Lake gets packed on a typical day, not many people will make it as far as Lake Isabelle, meaning you will have the trail virtually to yourself. Brainard Lake is the first area youll see when you first enter the Brainard Lake Recreation area in the Indian Peaks Wilderness. The trail information is now correct. $228 Roundtrip, found 5 days ago $228. amg. ProTrails | Lake Isabelle, Brainard Lake Recreation Area, In 2.6 miles you'll reach a pay station. The journey starts at the Long Lake Trailhead located on Brainard Lake Road just west of the town of Ward. I'm heading up thursday and wondering if I should hike lake isabelle or if I should do a different trail in the area Colorado. Drive about 15.6 miles to Nederland. Long Lake: .2 miles ; Lake Isabelle: 2.1 miles; Description: The Brainard Lake area is a busy little bee during the warm season, as is much of the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area. Difficulty: Most difficult. Hikers start on the Brainard Lake Game House (instructions, parking, and allow data under), the place there are dozens of incredible day hike choices for all talent ranges. The Long Lake Trailhead is located within the Brainard Lake Recreation Area off of CO 72 (12 miles north of Nederland, just north of the town of Ward). Additional terms apply. The ultra-popular Brainard Lake Recreation Area is, more properly, actually two trailheads. BFL. Elevation: 10,500 feet at the Long Lake TH; 12,541 feet at Pawnee Pass. Who would of thunk that in the middle of June there would still be a consistent snow base throughout the park? to the Pawnee Pass Trailhead. Accessed via: Brainard Gateway to Long Lake to Isabelle Lake. Long Lake Trailhead - Day Use Parking; Niwot Picnic Site/Trailhead - Day Use Parking; Brainard Lake Picnic Site/Trailhead - Day Use Parking; Red Rock Lake Picnic Site - Day Use Parking; Overnight Parking Permit - Long Lake; Overnight Parking Permit - Brainard Lake Along with several other wonderful trails, the hike to Long Lake, Lake Isabelle, and Pawnee Pass starts at Brainard Lake Recreation Area just an hour's drive from Boulder. A $1 per person fee applies to those riding bicycles into the recreation area during the summer operating season. Located about 25 miles west of Boulder in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, Lake Isabelle is accessed by a breathtaking 4.5-mile sub-alpine loop well worth the hype. It begins at Forest Trail 858 and ends at San Isabel Lake. Elevation gain: 350 feet This year I did the hike in August and conditions were perfect. Brainard Lake Recreation Area. Lake Isabelle is a dreamy lake located northwest of Denver and just west of a little town called Ward. Reservations can be made in advance by lot you want. Dont get eaten by a mountain lion! 556. Length: Long Lake Trailhead (TH) to Long Lake - 0.2 miles; to Jean Lunning Trail - 1.2; to Lake Isabelle - 2.1 miles; to Pawnee Pass - 4.6 miles. Lake Isabelle is a little gem located just outside of Boulder, Colorado. Take a look around this beautiful lake before continuing on the trail. 4382 Brainard Lake Road Ward CO 80481. Closely behind come moose, another animal I don't see in Texas. From Highway 72, turn west on Brainard Lake Road. Its just south of Estes Park, west of Boulder, and north of Nederland. Photo by Logan Abbott. The Jean Lunning trail offers some really nice wildflowers without too much of a walk. The hike to Lake Isabelle from Long Lake Trailhead is an adventure I have done every summer since I moved to Colorado. At the Brainard Lake area, follow signs for DISTANCES ARE ONE-WAY. This was my fourth time hiking to Lake Isabelle, having previously completed it in summer, fall, and winter. The real begins en route to the Lake Isabelle / Isabelle Glacier trail, where the route abruptly climbs and pass through a tumbling waterfall before reaching Lake Isabelle. From Pueblo go 25 miles south on I-25 to exit 74. Pro tip: the Brainard Lake Recreation Area that this hike is located in It is a pretty lake and its definitely the easiest option to get to if you arent looking to do any hiking on your wedding day, but its not my personal favorite in this area. These mid summer photos were all taken on the Really Right Stuff TVC-24 Mk2 Apex tripod. Here, we will cover everything you need to know to hike to Lake Isabelle as well as the stunning Long Lake. From the round-about, go north on the Peak to Peak Highway (CO 72) for about 8 miles to Ward. We made it to the lake in record time and were able to watch the clouds turn pinkish-orange. Lake Isabelle, Brainard Lakes Recreation Area. The seasonally-open Brainard Lake Road typically opens in mid-June and usually is closed due to snow by late October. Unfortunately, with the amount of intense wind in all areas of the Brainard recreation area, tracks on any of these back country trails are easily erased in one day, so you should always plan on having GPS to make sure you are on the Distance: 4.2 miles round trip. Heres more info to help you on your journey. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 2 h 7 min to complete. Its not terribly difficult and well, the beauty speaks for itself. while the southern valley holds Long Lake and Lake Isabelle. Todays trip was about five miles out and back. Distance 4.46 miles round trip (7.18 km) Height The northern of the two valleys holds Mitchell and Blue Lakes, while the southern valley holds Long Lake and Lake Isabelle. Brainard Lake. This 4.2 mile round-trip hike only gains 435 ft. of elevation. Address: 1334 Brainard Lake Road in Ward. Fernando Boza. A sunrise hike up to Lake Isabelle followed by a vow ceremon the next day at Brainard Lake. Top-rated vacation rentals in Lake Isabelle. This was the perfect Colorado elopement! Selected fares from Pittsburgh to Lake Isabella. route of Pawnee Pass Trail and head west. Length: 8.4 miles round-trip and 1,700 vertical feet. At the Brainard Lake area, follow signs for Start your hike from the Long Lake trailhead. But this time, for the first time ever, I hiked beyond the lake. The cheapest prices found with in the last 7 days for return flights were $228 and for one-way flights to Lake Isabella for the period specified. This is a popular trail for hiking, snowshoeing, and walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. After less than half a mile, you will arrive at Long Lake. Map of Lake Isabelle from the Long Lake Trailhead. Trail Description: The first quarter mile of the Pawnee Pass Trail to Long Lake is a very heavily used trail. Isabelle Glacier is most easily accessed out of the bustling Brainard Lake Recreation Area. The area is incredibly beautiful in the winter, as you'll find an abundance of snow and white peaks in the near distance. 24 reviews of Brainard Lake Recreation Area "I visited Brainard Lake on Saturday. If you have a little more endurance and are OK with stepping over some small rocks you can make it to Lake Isabelle and if you really want to challenge yourself you can try for the Huge changes have been made in particular, the road that ran north of Brainard Lake and up to the Long Lake and Mitchell Lake trainheads is being rerouted so the area east and north of Brainard is now traffic-free, a nice The lake is accessible year round but late spring through the first large snow is the best time to hike up to this stunning lake. Hikers begin at the Brainard Lake Recreation Area (directions, parking, and permit information below), where there are dozens of fantastic day hike options for all ability levels. Lake Isabelle Nederland Colorado Lake Day Trips Explore St Charles Campground - Lake Isabel in PSICC Colorado with Recreationgov.. Hiking to Long Lake and Lake Isabelle or to Mitchell Lake and Blue Lake, you have to drive to the Brainard Lake Recreation Area. 303-541-2500. Brainard Lake Recreation Area to Blue Lake, Long Lake, Lake Isabelle/Isabelle Glacier, Mitchell Lake, Mt Audubon, Mt Toll, Niwot Ridge, Pauite Peak, Pawnee Campground at Brainard Lake Recreation Area: Reservations can be made online or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Available Tickets. 102, FDR 112). Brainard Lake Road circles Brainard Lake and leads to Pawnee Campground. At Lake Isabelle, follow Isabelle Glacier Trail #908 as it forks left from the Pawnee Pass Trail and continues along the north side of Lake Isabelle to the source of the South St. Vrain Creek - Isabelle Glacier. Contact Boulder Ranger District, 2140 Yarmouth Ave, Boulder, CO 80301, Phone 303-541-2500, for more info. However, they are accessed by the same roads and suffer from identical red tape. The Lake Isabelle Trail is a 4.2-mile round-trip, out-and-back, adventure in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area of the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area. Share. The journey starts at the Long Lake Trailhead located on Brainard Lake Road just west of the town of Ward. I awoke well before dawn to drive deep into the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area near Rollinsville, CO, to Lake Isabelle in order to capture a gorgeous sunrise elopement amidst the mountains. Turn left (west) on Brainard Lake Road (CR 102), driving about 5 miles to the Brainard Lake Recreation Area. Distance / Elevation Gain ~15 miles and ~3050 vert gained (approx) Prologue We decided to get a 6AM start at the base of the Brainard Lake Road and head up Pawnee. The cost was $11 cash. We waited an hour in line to get into Brainard Lake Recreation area in Roosevelt National Forrest. Colorado Tourism Colorado Hotels Colorado Bed and Breakfast Colorado Vacation Rentals Colorado Vacation Packages Flights to It is an easy and family friendly hike. Our first trip to Brainard Lake Thursday, June 27, was a smashing success. I thought the hike was easy to Long Lake, and it got moderate to difficult closer to Lake Isabelle. Brainard Lake itself is a small lake at the junction of two major valleys in the east central Indian Peaks Wilderness. Take Lee Hill Drive up to Lefthand Canyon Drive and turn left. The Brainard Lake Trails are easily some of our favorite winter trails in Colorado. Its busy when you get to the start of the lake, so we wandered a bit farther to find a secluded spot to enjoy lunch with a view. The flowers are still beautiful and abundant higher up. I went with family with various levels of stamina. Why We Love It: Blue glacial ice is a magical (and increasingly rare) sight. Climbed SE aspects to summit. My go-to place and time for bull moose in the past has been Brainard Lake at sunrise. Brainard Lake has been one of the most popular hiking destinations in the front range for but more recently has become more popular as a camping destination. It's roughly 2.25 miles from the Winter Lot to the base of Brainard Lake. Restrooms, drinking Lake Isabelle sits 4.4 miles from the trailhead. I grew up in Squirrel Valley and I have so many great memories from those easy, carefree days of the 1960s and '70s. Yes, there is a $9 fee to enter but the pass last for 5 Print/PDF Map. We parked the car near Brainard Lake and walked to the Long Lake Trailhead. Thu, Nov 24 - Mon, Dec 5. The Brainard Lake Recreation Area is located outside Boulder just north of Nederland. In the town of Nederland, follow signs to the Peak to Peak Highway/HWY 72. Ask for a map. Close. In the town of Nederland, follow signs to the Peak to Peak Highway/HWY 72. Turn right (north) and enter the Pawnee Basin. The reservoir is named for Isabella Brainard, the wife of physicist Edward Teller. The drive from Boulder takes about 45-50 minutes (here is the Google Maps link to directions): Head north on Broadway or 28th street, and turn left onto Lee Hill Drive. The lake rests at the bottom of a treeline cirque in an impressive area surrounded by Navajo Peak (13,409), Apache Peak (13,441), and Shoshoni Peak (12,967). Take a left on Brainard Lake Road (NF 112) and follow it for about 5 miles to the lake. The trail enters the Indian Peaks Additional terms apply. DEN. Photo by USDA. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to The lake itself is located within the Indian Peaks Wilderness and a part of the Brainard Lake Recreation Area. Lake Isabelle. However, it's incredibly beautiful. Protrails Corona Lake Photo Gallery Indian Peaks Wilderness Area Colorado Colorado Colorado Hiking Colorado Mountains . The park itself is beautiful and so is the hike to Blue Lake as well. Guests agree: these stays are highly rated for location, cleanliness, and more. County Rd. If you enter the park before 8 a.m. theres a better chance of finding parking in the Long Lake Trailhead. Tue, Sep 13 - It lies at tree-line in a stunning alpine valley surrounded by Navajo (13,409), Apache (13,441) and Shoshoni (12,967) peaks. Lake Isabella is a man-made reservoir located in the San Luis Valley of Colorado. Brainard Lake Recreation Area is less than an hours drive from Boulder, making it one of the area's most popular destinations for outdoors athletes. Lake Isabelle is an intermediate hike in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area in Boulder County, Colorado. Indian Peaks Wilderness, Brainard Lake, Long Lake, Lake Isabelle. Its located right on the edge of the staggeringly beautiful Indian Peaks Wilderness. Together we hiked to the alpine lake with just our headlamps to light the way.