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There are multiple lakes and trailheads at the edge of Boulder. On this particular morning we were actually heading to Long Lake, one of a cluster of 4 along a potentially long hike. It's about a 45 minutes' drive "up" into the early Rockies and you'll pass through a tiny town called Nederland (we stopped there to grab a bite on the way back, separate review). Note: we had reservations for the Long Lake parking lot and good thing we did, the rangers had the road to that parking/trailhead blocked and only allowed permitted vehicles through. Reservations are online and inexpensive but you do need to plan because each reservation comes with a window (several hours). A few miles before the Long Lake parking lot is the Brainard Rec lot which is where non-permitted cars were redirected back to. As for the trail on this mid-July Saturday around 11am, there were quite a few hikers... and despite the perfect day (sunny and low 60s) there was still some large snow patches in the shady spots right beside the trail. The entire trail is well-travelled and easily navigated. You will cross umpteen tiny creaks (1-3 feet wide) carrying runoff from the snowpack further up the Rockies. These are traversed either by small wooden bridges or simply large rocks placed across the narrow creek. The dense forest makes for a quiet, cool stroll. Trail running shoes are perfectly fine (really no need for boots). Dogs do appear to be allowed (on leash) and there are suitable/natural areas that open up a bit where one could picnic. Next time, I think I will pack lighter and plan to run it. Note: this is an out-and-back trail, not a loop, unfortunately. So you'll see all of the same landmarks, and people, twice :)
I came here to go snowshoeing and it was a majestically beautiful experience. We did the snowshoe trail and it was fairly manageable rookie g hills in snow capped conifers. We went on a beautiful Saturday after a snow and so thought it might be busy, but only passed a couple people on the trail. We didn't go all the way to Brainard lake but did make it to the first lake. Stopped at the first lake and made some hot chocolate with our camp stove we carried in, and it was picturesque to say the least. Even the drive up was stupendously beautiful. I fully recommend a visit.
Brainard Lake Recreation Area is home to one of my favorite hike of all time - Lake Isabelle. Having made my way here twice now, I can easily say it will continue to be an annual pilgrimage for me. STAR #1: Lakes and waterfalls aplenty! Obviously, when you choose to hike Lake Isabelle, you know you're at least getting one lake. Well depending on when you hike you will also get to take in Brainard and Long Lake. There are plenty of ponds and streams along the way, and the waterfall out of Lake Isabelle is gorgeous. Past Lake Isabelle, there are some ponds and another waterfall flowing out of the meadow. STAR #2: Wildflowers! I'm a sucker for a colorful hike, and Lake Isabelle definitely has plenty of beautiful wildflowers to offer those who time their hike right. STAR #3: Wildlife! I've gotten to see the usual squirrels and marmots. Followed by an uber lucky moose and calf sighting. The moose and calf were seen in the meadow above and past Lake Isabelle. Definitely one of my favorite wildlife sighting to date. STAR #4: Just the right amount of challenge! Heading around Long's Lake up to Lake Isabelle is fairly simple and straight forward. You'll definitely get some great views. When you first arrive at the lake, I highly recommend heading to the left and taking in the waterfall flowing out of Lake Isabelle. If it's early enough in the season, it is truly gorgeous. Then head back to the main trail and proceed around the lake. Once past, there's a marshy area before you make your way up to a meadow. The meadow is where I saw the moose and calf. You can continue on to an additional turquoise glacial lake and up a rocky mountain (this gets very technical) to Isabelle Glacier. STAR #5: Because Lake Isabelle freaking deserves a fifth star. Everywhere you look is like something out of a book. I don't know if I've experienced a more magical hike. Oh, and the majority of the hikers I have met here are some of the nicest I've ever encountered. So there's that too! Lake Isabelle definitely has something special going on for almost any type of hiker. I will gladly be making my way back year after year. **Pro Tip: Make sure you get a reservation for Long Lake when available! It will shave some miles each way off your trip, which will come in handy if you choose to push on past the main lake towards the meadows or glacier above. They also drain Lake Isabelle at the end of July/early August, which greatly changes the experience.
Snowshoe review! ( hey that rhymes bustah) Fantastic place to take a winter adventure: Snowshoeing, hiking with micro spikes, or Nordic skiing . We got lucky as Brainard is renowned for high winds which we only encountered near the end. We are talking 50-75 mph winds. The loop trail we did starting at Sourdough, lunching at the lake and taking the snowshoe trail back down was a wonderful exhilarating outing 6.5 miles with 700 of elevation gain. Trails are well marked although I would still suggest using a gps device as snow could hide the trails easily Wonderful parking lot with restrooms. Dogs allowed on most trails. Tip: If you are going in a group they now want a permit for usage.
One of my absolute favorite spots, home to some of my favorite trails! So many great and scenic hiking options whether you are looking for something strenuous or mild. I make it out to Isabelle Glacier every July and the views cannot be beat -- streams, wildflowers, alpine lakes, marmots, and moose galore! Trailhead restrooms are always clean and the rangers here are awesome. Make sure you have a timed entry reservation to enter the Recreation Area (only $2 with a national park pass), or you will not be able to enter the park.
Brainard is an absolutely stunning area of colorado and you can not go wrong here! not sure why anyone would rate less than a 5. Have been up here every winter for last 3-4 years for snowshoeing and sometimes come back up in the summer as well. There is a plethora of hikes to choose from in this area. It is wooded and feels secluded though in the summer it can get pretty busy especially on a weekend...... in winter, it is a beautiful winter wonderland. The trees are not full of beetle kill and the fires have not devastated this area. There are camping areas, though I have not been camping here i may in the future just because there are so many wonderful hikes surrounding this area Dogs are not supposed to be allowed in winter months... The parking lots can get crowded in the summer and early so if you are going then plan accordingly. Have never had any problems with coming in the winter time however.
The popular campground in Ward is home to one of my new favorite trails, Isabelle Glacier. Write it on a post it, bookmark it, imbed it into your noggin right now. It's a fairly easy hike with a huge reward! When the hike begins at Brainard Lake you know you're in for a treat. There's an entry fee to park ($12 on 8/16/20). I parked passed Pawnee Campground near Brainard Lake. There are bathrooms, maps, etc. Isabelle Glacier Trail - Wildflowers? Boom. Wildlife? Boom. Majestic mountain views at a lake? Boom. Usually the aforementioned characteristics I look for in a hike come with high elevation gain, lengthy mileage and grueling conditions. Of all the hikes I've done to discover these, this was the easiest. The trail isn't too rocky or challenging in the slightest. Now, once you make it Lake Isabelle, take a breather, enjoy a snack, sit on your keister for a few minutes and soak it all in. But then, I urge you to press on! This is where the hike gets more technical. The road less travelled as they say, and boy is it worth it. You really feel like you're in the wilderness once you make your way around the lake. The Nederland area is home to some of my favorite hikes in Colorado. Isabelle Glacier is one of them! If you can't visit during the week, I encourage you to arrive prior to 8am on a weekend. The campground is a destination for many Denverites looking to escape the city. You don't want to be the car waiting in line to get in for hours. Seriously, it was extremely backed up when I left the park at noon. Happy hiking!
Very good place to snowshoe or ski in winter. You have to go a few miles to get to Brainard Lake itself where you can just drive in summer, but those trails are scenic romps through the forest. Even when the winter parking lot and Brainard Lake are so windy you think you might fly away, the (separate) ski and snowshoe trails are well protected in the trees. The main trails are fairly crowded, this isn't a place to experience nature in isolation. But decent amount of parking even on a nice winter weekend midday. Dogs are only allowed on a few trails, and those ones aren't the best, like the windblown road.
Mercury was in retrograde and I'm pretty sure that I was losing my mind. I was in desperate need of nature to ground me. Brainard Lake was there to save me. It was only about a 20-30 minute drive from my hotel, and the GPS guided me nicely. I arrived at the park ranger's gate only to discover it was cash only for the entrance fee. I rarely carry cash and that day was no exception. I dreaded the additional 1-hour roundtrip, but as I turned around I noticed a parking lot a few feet away. I turned into the parking lot and discovered there were trails leading down to the lake. Yay! This was even better, as it gave me the time I needed to "be one" with nature and all of its glory. There may or may not have been some tree hugging. I embarked upon my journey via the Sourdough Trail. On the way to the lake, I encountered babbling brooks, raging streams (I totally kept thinking of A River Runs Through It, and prayed that Brad Pitt would appear. He didn't.), and a stunning open field that gave me ALL the Twilight: New Moon vibes (Laurent, Edward, and Jacob were all there.), which was fitting because I was going through a very New Moon Bella type thing. Anyway... The experience was beautiful. The clouds came out to play in true Colorado fashion, and it made the entire excursion quite perfect. It took nearly 2 hours for me to reach the lake. It was just beautiful. I sat in solitude and marveled at its wonder. It's a very photogenic location, even in the rain. The trek back seemed shorter...maybe 1 1/2 hours instead of 2. There is no internet service so be prepared to be without Snapchat, Instagram, etc. *gasps in Spanish!* I would not recommend that particular trail for those with mobility difficulties; it's rugged. I, however, thoroughly enjoyed it and emerged from the woods feeling fabulous.
The round trip hike to Lake Isabelle is about 8 miles, which features some switchbacks, some flat areas, and waterfalls/streams to cross. The Brainard Lake area always has amazing wildflowers, multiple lakes, waterfalls, and beautiful mountains. I recommend packing several water bottles, some small snacks, chapstick, a portable phone charger and bug spray.
Beautiful trails with lots of nice look out points and a few lakes. They release tickets at 8am 2 weeks before so make sure you get online right for 8 as they sell out within minutes. We hiked to Isabella lake and it was so scenic yet not overly challenging because there is very little elevation. You also past another beautiful lake along the way called long lake. If you're wanting to cool off you can jump in but it is definitely in the chilly side. We even saw 3 moose which was a first for me and some deer. My partner and his friend did the climb to Navajo which was too challenging for me but I did climb some of the boulders just past Isabelle lake for fun.
A beautiful surprise! Was in the area staying in Estes Park visiting Rocky Mountain NP and wanted a new area to explore. We were able to make it in for the 12pm entry - thankfully the lira weren't full on a Friday! We aren't big hikers but we were able to enjoy a lovely picnic and several walks to the various lakes within the recreation area boundary. There are some seriously spectacular views here! Even with the looming smoke from nearby forest fires we were still able to enjoy the dramatic vistas. We weren't lucky enough to see any wildlife save a few gray jays at our picnic.
It's been quite a few years since I have been up to Brainard Lake (Recreational Area.) I was close by on the south part of the SourDough Trail on snowshoes a few years ago, but on the other side of the ridge from this area. On a summer Saturday is probably not a great time to go unless you are there at or shortly after dawn. With houseguests with a 6 month old in tow, we did not get up there until around 9:30 am and that was too late to get into the close parking to therein lake itself. Closed at the ranger station and only letting a car in when a car left. Plan for this. The line was very long but locals and regulars know that there is a winter parking lot before the ranger station with many trails available from there. So some people, including our car, were turning out of the wait line and heading there. There was still room to park there, and there are rustic restrooms open in the summer. I guess they freeze in the winter. We had a nice hike on a trail to Red Rock Lake. That trail crosses the before mentioned SourDough Trail as it heads north. The hike to even get to Brained Lake itself is about a mile further down the road from winter parking and we thought it would be better on a nicer day with more time. And it was getting rather heavily traveled by then. A bi crowded to completely enjoy it. So after a 3 mile hike, we headed back to Nederland for lunch. If you have a National Park Season Pass, it will get you into Brained with no fee. Our pass has in the past but you don't even need one from the winter parking lot anyway.
Wow! It's so beautiful here. I enjoyed my solo take out dinner sitting on top of a boulder and enjoying the views of the lake and mountains. Plus, the lake is only. Short walk from the parking lot, so it is accessible to most. While on a short hike on the trail, I ran into a beautiful MOOSE and caught a few photos while he ate his dinner. Amazing experience! read more
11 months ago
Brainard NRA is stunning. I was surprised how fast the tickets go for this place during the summer months - I went in mid September and the tickets for the morning times were fully gone within minutes after they dropped online a few weeks before I went Given RMNP tix go like that I was ready at 0900 for when they dropped, and actually within 1 min the 8-11a time slot sold out so I couldn't get it! But I did get the 5-8a slot which was fine. The area itself is very easy to find and navigate, and it is well maintained by the staff. When you arrive they do scan your day pass ticket and give you a pass to hang on your rear view mirror. The lot was plenty empty at Long lake trailhead (the start to get to Lake Isabelle) when I arrived around 0730. The day was fairly cool but not cold, and partly cloudy. It was absolutely gorgeous, the hike there was even more beautiful than the lake itself! I saw a moose along part of the trail too. The lake itself was surprisingly low, I'm not sure why the water level was that low but it looked much lower compared to the pictures/tiktoks I've seen online. That said, it is still very picturesque. There were lots of places to roam around the lake, and even tho it became SUPER windy when I got to the lake, I had a good time running around (but note - my nose was running like CRAZY, if you have allergies, come with tissues!). I did end up walking from long lake trailhead to the lake Mitchell trailhead and making the hike out there too; Isabelle is prettier imo but it was still a fun walk and the trailhead at Mitchell has plenty of parking too. There is a little trail, about 15 mins walk between long lake trailhead and Mitchell trailhead, although you do briefly have to walk along part of the road. Brainard lake itself is also lovely, I saw a moose hanging out right by this lake too! read more
I will start by saying this is one of the most spectacular hikes I've ever done . I am a local Floridian and I just couldn't believe my eyes . I did the Lake Isabelle hike, and I 10/10 recommend. You are required to make a reservation in advance to snag parking inside the park . They do have parking outside of the park but it is about 2 miles of walking into the park to start the trail . The only place there is wifi is the restrooms before you enter the park. Make sure to download QR code in advance because you will have no service . I definitely recommend going during summer because wildflowers are in full bloom . The hike I did was very moderate, it about 4.5 miles roundtrip . If you have paddles boards I would suggest bringing them ! They have a nice camping area where the lake is easily accessible . I saw a bunch of people paddle boarding ! read more
There are multiple lakes and trailheads at the edge of Boulder. On this particular morning we were actually heading to Long Lake, one of a cluster of 4 along a potentially long hike. It's about a 45 minutes' drive "up" into the early Rockies and you'll pass through a tiny town called Nederland (we stopped there to grab a bite on the way back, separate review). Note: we had reservations for the Long Lake parking lot and good thing we did, the rangers had the road to that parking/trailhead blocked and only allowed permitted vehicles through. Reservations are online and inexpensive but you do need to plan because each reservation comes with a window (several hours). A few miles before the Long Lake parking lot is the Brainard Rec lot which is where non-permitted cars were redirected back to. As for the trail on this mid-July Saturday around 11am, there were quite a few hikers... and despite the perfect day (sunny and low 60s) there was still some large snow patches in the shady spots right beside the trail. The entire trail is well-travelled and easily navigated. You will cross umpteen tiny creaks (1-3 feet wide) carrying runoff from the snowpack further up the Rockies. These are traversed either by small wooden bridges or simply large rocks placed across the narrow creek. The dense forest makes for a quiet, cool stroll. Trail running shoes are perfectly fine (really no need for boots). Dogs do appear to be allowed (on leash) and there are suitable/natural areas that open up a bit where one could picnic. Next time, I think I will pack lighter and plan to run it. Note: this is an out-and-back trail, not a loop, unfortunately. So you'll see all of the same landmarks, and people, twice :) read more
I came here to go snowshoeing and it was a majestically beautiful experience. We did the snowshoe trail and it was fairly manageable rookie g hills in snow capped conifers. We went on a beautiful Saturday after a snow and so thought it might be busy, but only passed a couple people on the trail. We didn't go all the way to Brainard lake but did make it to the first lake. Stopped at the first lake and made some hot chocolate with our camp stove we carried in, and it was picturesque to say the least. Even the drive up was stupendously beautiful. I fully recommend a visit. read more
Brainard Lake Recreation Area is home to one of my favorite hike of all time - Lake Isabelle. Having made my way here twice now, I can easily say it will continue to be an annual pilgrimage for me. STAR #1: Lakes and waterfalls aplenty! Obviously, when you choose to hike Lake Isabelle, you know you're at least getting one lake. Well depending on when you hike you will also get to take in Brainard and Long Lake. There are plenty of ponds and streams along the way, and the waterfall out of Lake Isabelle is gorgeous. Past Lake Isabelle, there are some ponds and another waterfall flowing out of the meadow. STAR #2: Wildflowers! I'm a sucker for a colorful hike, and Lake Isabelle definitely has plenty of beautiful wildflowers to offer those who time their hike right. STAR #3: Wildlife! I've gotten to see the usual squirrels and marmots. Followed by an uber lucky moose and calf sighting. The moose and calf were seen in the meadow above and past Lake Isabelle. Definitely one of my favorite wildlife sighting to date. STAR #4: Just the right amount of challenge! Heading around Long's Lake up to Lake Isabelle is fairly simple and straight forward. You'll definitely get some great views. When you first arrive at the lake, I highly recommend heading to the left and taking in the waterfall flowing out of Lake Isabelle. If it's early enough in the season, it is truly gorgeous. Then head back to the main trail and proceed around the lake. Once past, there's a marshy area before you make your way up to a meadow. The meadow is where I saw the moose and calf. You can continue on to an additional turquoise glacial lake and up a rocky mountain (this gets very technical) to Isabelle Glacier. STAR #5: Because Lake Isabelle freaking deserves a fifth star. Everywhere you look is like something out of a book. I don't know if I've experienced a more magical hike. Oh, and the majority of the hikers I have met here are some of the nicest I've ever encountered. So there's that too! Lake Isabelle definitely has something special going on for almost any type of hiker. I will gladly be making my way back year after year. **Pro Tip: Make sure you get a reservation for Long Lake when available! It will shave some miles each way off your trip, which will come in handy if you choose to push on past the main lake towards the meadows or glacier above. They also drain Lake Isabelle at the end of July/early August, which greatly changes the experience. read more
Snowshoe review! ( hey that rhymes bustah) Fantastic place to take a winter adventure: Snowshoeing, hiking with micro spikes, or Nordic skiing . We got lucky as Brainard is renowned for high winds which we only encountered near the end. We are talking 50-75 mph winds. The loop trail we did starting at Sourdough, lunching at the lake and taking the snowshoe trail back down was a wonderful exhilarating outing 6.5 miles with 700 of elevation gain. Trails are well marked although I would still suggest using a gps device as snow could hide the trails easily Wonderful parking lot with restrooms. Dogs allowed on most trails. Tip: If you are going in a group they now want a permit for usage. read more
One of my absolute favorite spots, home to some of my favorite trails! So many great and scenic hiking options whether you are looking for something strenuous or mild. I make it out to Isabelle Glacier every July and the views cannot be beat -- streams, wildflowers, alpine lakes, marmots, and moose galore! Trailhead restrooms are always clean and the rangers here are awesome. Make sure you have a timed entry reservation to enter the Recreation Area (only $2 with a national park pass), or you will not be able to enter the park. read more
6 years ago
Brainard is an absolutely stunning area of colorado and you can not go wrong here! not sure why anyone would rate less than a 5. Have been up here every winter for last 3-4 years for snowshoeing and sometimes come back up in the summer as well. There is a plethora of hikes to choose from in this area. It is wooded and feels secluded though in the summer it can get pretty busy especially on a weekend...... in winter, it is a beautiful winter wonderland. The trees are not full of beetle kill and the fires have not devastated this area. There are camping areas, though I have not been camping here i may in the future just because there are so many wonderful hikes surrounding this area Dogs are not supposed to be allowed in winter months... The parking lots can get crowded in the summer and early so if you are going then plan accordingly. Have never had any problems with coming in the winter time however. read more
The popular campground in Ward is home to one of my new favorite trails, Isabelle Glacier. Write it on a post it, bookmark it, imbed it into your noggin right now. It's a fairly easy hike with a huge reward! When the hike begins at Brainard Lake you know you're in for a treat. There's an entry fee to park ($12 on 8/16/20). I parked passed Pawnee Campground near Brainard Lake. There are bathrooms, maps, etc. Isabelle Glacier Trail - Wildflowers? Boom. Wildlife? Boom. Majestic mountain views at a lake? Boom. Usually the aforementioned characteristics I look for in a hike come with high elevation gain, lengthy mileage and grueling conditions. Of all the hikes I've done to discover these, this was the easiest. The trail isn't too rocky or challenging in the slightest. Now, once you make it Lake Isabelle, take a breather, enjoy a snack, sit on your keister for a few minutes and soak it all in. But then, I urge you to press on! This is where the hike gets more technical. The road less travelled as they say, and boy is it worth it. You really feel like you're in the wilderness once you make your way around the lake. The Nederland area is home to some of my favorite hikes in Colorado. Isabelle Glacier is one of them! If you can't visit during the week, I encourage you to arrive prior to 8am on a weekend. The campground is a destination for many Denverites looking to escape the city. You don't want to be the car waiting in line to get in for hours. Seriously, it was extremely backed up when I left the park at noon. Happy hiking! read more
5 years ago
Very good place to snowshoe or ski in winter. You have to go a few miles to get to Brainard Lake itself where you can just drive in summer, but those trails are scenic romps through the forest. Even when the winter parking lot and Brainard Lake are so windy you think you might fly away, the (separate) ski and snowshoe trails are well protected in the trees. The main trails are fairly crowded, this isn't a place to experience nature in isolation. But decent amount of parking even on a nice winter weekend midday. Dogs are only allowed on a few trails, and those ones aren't the best, like the windblown road. read more
Mercury was in retrograde and I'm pretty sure that I was losing my mind. I was in desperate need of nature to ground me. Brainard Lake was there to save me. It was only about a 20-30 minute drive from my hotel, and the GPS guided me nicely. I arrived at the park ranger's gate only to discover it was cash only for the entrance fee. I rarely carry cash and that day was no exception. I dreaded the additional 1-hour roundtrip, but as I turned around I noticed a parking lot a few feet away. I turned into the parking lot and discovered there were trails leading down to the lake. Yay! This was even better, as it gave me the time I needed to "be one" with nature and all of its glory. There may or may not have been some tree hugging. I embarked upon my journey via the Sourdough Trail. On the way to the lake, I encountered babbling brooks, raging streams (I totally kept thinking of A River Runs Through It, and prayed that Brad Pitt would appear. He didn't.), and a stunning open field that gave me ALL the Twilight: New Moon vibes (Laurent, Edward, and Jacob were all there.), which was fitting because I was going through a very New Moon Bella type thing. Anyway... The experience was beautiful. The clouds came out to play in true Colorado fashion, and it made the entire excursion quite perfect. It took nearly 2 hours for me to reach the lake. It was just beautiful. I sat in solitude and marveled at its wonder. It's a very photogenic location, even in the rain. The trek back seemed shorter...maybe 1 1/2 hours instead of 2. There is no internet service so be prepared to be without Snapchat, Instagram, etc. *gasps in Spanish!* I would not recommend that particular trail for those with mobility difficulties; it's rugged. I, however, thoroughly enjoyed it and emerged from the woods feeling fabulous. read more
3 years ago
The round trip hike to Lake Isabelle is about 8 miles, which features some switchbacks, some flat areas, and waterfalls/streams to cross. The Brainard Lake area always has amazing wildflowers, multiple lakes, waterfalls, and beautiful mountains. I recommend packing several water bottles, some small snacks, chapstick, a portable phone charger and bug spray. read more
Beautiful trails with lots of nice look out points and a few lakes. They release tickets at 8am 2 weeks before so make sure you get online right for 8 as they sell out within minutes. We hiked to Isabella lake and it was so scenic yet not overly challenging because there is very little elevation. You also past another beautiful lake along the way called long lake. If you're wanting to cool off you can jump in but it is definitely in the chilly side. We even saw 3 moose which was a first for me and some deer. My partner and his friend did the climb to Navajo which was too challenging for me but I did climb some of the boulders just past Isabelle lake for fun. read more
6 years ago
A beautiful surprise! Was in the area staying in Estes Park visiting Rocky Mountain NP and wanted a new area to explore. We were able to make it in for the 12pm entry - thankfully the lira weren't full on a Friday! We aren't big hikers but we were able to enjoy a lovely picnic and several walks to the various lakes within the recreation area boundary. There are some seriously spectacular views here! Even with the looming smoke from nearby forest fires we were still able to enjoy the dramatic vistas. We weren't lucky enough to see any wildlife save a few gray jays at our picnic. read more
It's been quite a few years since I have been up to Brainard Lake (Recreational Area.) I was close by on the south part of the SourDough Trail on snowshoes a few years ago, but on the other side of the ridge from this area. On a summer Saturday is probably not a great time to go unless you are there at or shortly after dawn. With houseguests with a 6 month old in tow, we did not get up there until around 9:30 am and that was too late to get into the close parking to therein lake itself. Closed at the ranger station and only letting a car in when a car left. Plan for this. The line was very long but locals and regulars know that there is a winter parking lot before the ranger station with many trails available from there. So some people, including our car, were turning out of the wait line and heading there. There was still room to park there, and there are rustic restrooms open in the summer. I guess they freeze in the winter. We had a nice hike on a trail to Red Rock Lake. That trail crosses the before mentioned SourDough Trail as it heads north. The hike to even get to Brained Lake itself is about a mile further down the road from winter parking and we thought it would be better on a nicer day with more time. And it was getting rather heavily traveled by then. A bi crowded to completely enjoy it. So after a 3 mile hike, we headed back to Nederland for lunch. If you have a National Park Season Pass, it will get you into Brained with no fee. Our pass has in the past but you don't even need one from the winter parking lot anyway. read more
13 years ago
This review is for Mt. Audubon, which is a 13er, which starts at the Beaver Creek trailhead. This hike is 4 miles each way but the elevation gain is nearly 3,000 feet. Two-thirds of this hike is above the tree line so make sure you have the appropriate gear to keep the sun from beating down on you. The views of this hike are pretty amazing. You see several glaciers and lakes along the way. Once at the top, you have a 360 degree of all the surrounding mountains and the lakes below. It's pretty spectacular. One thing to note is that once you're above the tree line it's pretty rocky. We didn't really notice it as much on the way up as the way back. The funny thing is that we were upon the 'rock pile' but until we went around it we didn't realize that it really was. The last 800 feet in elevation gain is really scrambling up boulders. It's fun but it eats up a lot of time. It took us 6.5 hours round trip, granted we also took our time. The only reason why this hike doesn't get 5 stars is because after you scramble back down the rock pile, you basically spent the majority of the hike back walking through medium sized rocks that are randomly dispersed so it's really tough to be careful not to sprain an ankle or trip. Nevertheless, that should not dissuade anyone from doing this hike. It's simply just a head's up that it's a bit more technical, therefore, a bit slower than a hike on a dirt trail. Overall, this was one of the best hikes I've done and I have many great photos to prove it! I recommend it but make sure to leave the trailhead early in the morning so you're not faced with a passing thunderstorm! read more
Stunning place to snowshoe! Highly recommended. + The drive is slightly over an hour from downtown Denver. PSA to out of towners, please pull over from the road if there are cars following you closely. We are just trying to get past you. :) + The forest area is closed for the season to actually drive in. So if you park in the lower parking lot or along the street (it gets full on weekends), you'll just walk up to the start of the trails. It's free in the wintertime (no attendant). There are bathrooms in this lot and also one at the top by the lake. + The snowshoe trail is stunning all the way up to Brainard Lake. You pass Red Rock Lake pretty early on. The open areas are super windy, but if you stay in the trees it's not windy and quite nice. Started around 11:20am and completed the loop around 2:15 (with time to take pictures and drink water, but no actual breaks) + Dogs allowed on the main road and trails it seems like. read more
9 years ago
Quintessential Colorado right here! Lake Isabelle and Brainard Lake have been on my list to check out for awhile and I finally found a free weekend to make the two hour drive up from Denver. The drive is beautiful and I can only imagine how stunning it is in the fall with the leaves changing. I got there pretty early, 9am, and there wasn't a line to get in. $11 to enter than they have people leading you to parking. Parking was ample but starting to fill up around that time. The first lake you stumble upon is Brainard and it is absolutely gorgeous. Most people walked past there to get to Mitchell or Isabelle. I started with Lake Mitchell since it was the road less traveled. Even in July there was a ton of snow on the trail so bring waterproof shoes or extra socks! There were some moose chilling on the other side of the lake so some great photo opportunities too! I made my way back and headed over to yet another sloshie trail to Lake Isabelle. The trail is well marked in the beginning then gets pretty faint towards the top of the lake. I took my time and didn't find the hike to be too hard. My main beef is the mileage, my 6.5 mile hike turned into 10 miles because signs directing you back to the parking lot were scarce. The last thing I wanted to do was keeping walking but I sucked it up and finally found my car. They definitely need to work on signage directing you back to the main area. This will be a place I plan on bringing my in shape out-of-town visitors! Entry fee to get in is now $11, not $10. read more
I visited Brainard Lake on Saturday. Who would of thunk that in the middle of June there would still be a consistent snow base throughout the park? Great opportunity for snow-showing, X-Country Skiing, or even hiking. The park itself is beautiful and so is the hike to Blue Lake as well. Yes, there is a $9 fee to enter but the pass last for 5 days, so use it to the fullest. The total hike from Brainard to Blue lake is about 5 miles with a 1,000 foot elevation gain, maybe a tad more. However, the highest hike here goes up to 13,000 feet and has some pretty spectacular scenery. Plenty of waterfalls and dramatic mountain peaks, nature, and wildlife along the way. Also, there is plenty of opportunity for recreation, a lot of people were kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. Note: This trail is dog friendly, even though it borders RMNP. read more
3 years ago
10 years ago
I LOVE Brainard Lake Recreational Area. It is a very well kept park with multiple well-labeled , easy to access trails and bathrooms in the parking lot. The cost to enter the park is $10, must be cash or check. The drive from Denver alone was absolutely beautiful this fall! The leaves are changing from green to yellow and there were plenty of places to pullover on the way up to Brainard. I went with a friend, my 3 month old and her dog and we decided to hike to Lake Mitchell which is 5 miles round trip. The hike was fantastic and there were actually many alpine lakes to see on the way up. On a Thursday it was actually quite quiet; we encountered about 10 other groups total. It did of course get colder as we reached Lake Mitchell. Fellow hikers warned us that it is typically very windy at the top and that the day was I characteristically calm and warm. It was perfect! Of note, the lake Isabel hike is a bit easier but also beautiful. read more
14 years ago
Came here on a recommendation from the hiking store in Boulder, CO. What an excellent recommendation. The hike to Blue Lakes was rated 'moderate' and it was. Not too hard, not too easy, and many, many excellent vistas and photo opportunities. Worth the trip. Beautiful read more
We had a great hike today out to Brainard Lake. The main parking is closed so it free at the moment. The winter parking is open and it's not far from there to the trailhead. Loads of people were snow shoeing but we just had extra grip things on under our hiking boots and we were fine, the trail is pretty compact but if you deviate or hit a soft spot in the edge you'll be at least a foot deep in snow. Really really windy in the clearings, but between the trees was great. It took us about 3 hours to get out there and back. On the way home we saw 2 huge mousse on the side of the road!! read more
One of Colorado's Front Range locations. Brainard Lake Recreation Area (aka BLRA) is a very popular location for vacationer's. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking (literally and figuratively) if you are coming from sea level. Any season is a time to see this spectacular land. During the summer, many great hikes will take you to some of the most awesomeness country in the state. Winter is also great for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Trails are well groomed and are easy to moderate with about 200 - 300' elevation gain to the lake from the lower parking lot. The hike from the lower lot is 2 miles one way on the road, a little longer along the trail (add an extra mile). If you are a camper (tent, trailer), Pawnee campground fills up fast. Get reservations early. The campground usually opens in mid-July due to the amount of snow during the winter. Always be prepared for the every changing mountain weather. read more
Such a beautiful view, and a super minimal walk from the parking lot. My husband and I were visiting from NY and I was struggling with the altitude adjustment, so our hiking was limited for our short stay. We did make it up to Mitchell Lake as well, with a few rest stops for me lol but I highly recommend Brainard specifically for anyone adjusting to the altitude, or with any sort of physical limitation- it's easy, and beautiful. read more
10 years ago
Gorgeous lake, and a great hike on the Long Trail. We had our 3 kids with us and they were able to do the hike. The trailhead parking was closed when we went so it was quite a walk to get to the trail which is my only complaint. We saw 5 moose in June! I highly recommend this hike and checking out the beautiful area. read more
13 years ago
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More info about Brainard Lake Recreation Area
Ward, CO 80481
Directions
(303) 541-2500
Call Now
Visit Website
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/arp/recarea/?recid=28182
Hours
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
Ask the Community - Brainard Lake Recreation Area
Any way to get to Brainard Lake Rec Area from Boulder or Nederland? Shuttles or other transit services?
Not that I know of. Best bet in the area reachable by shuttle is the Hessie Trailhead.
