It is drained every year in late July to early August, so be sure to call the Boulder Ranger District 303-541-2500 before your hike. These mid summer photos were all taken on the Really Right Stuff TVC-24 Mk2 Apex tripod. 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. Welcome to the first of our Rocky Mountain Ride Adventures blog series where the RMR team takes you with them on their outdoor excursions. We arrived after 11 a.m, oops! Available Tickets. 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. Your trailhead instructions cannot be for the Indian Peaks Isabelle out of Brainard Lake area! 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. County Rd. After less than half a mile, you will arrive at Long Lake. It lies at tree-line in a stunning alpine valley surrounded by Navajo (13,409′), Apache (13,441′) and Shoshoni (12,967′) peaks. 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. Close. I went with family with various levels of stamina. The reservoir is named for Isabella Brainard, the wife of physicist Edward Teller. This year I did the hike in August and conditions were perfect. The hike to Lake Isabelle from Long Lake Trailhead is an adventure I have done every summer since I moved to Colorado. It begins at Forest Trail 858 and ends at San Isabel Lake. 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 … The main road to visit Brainard Lake Recreation area is in the town of Ward, off of Highway 72. Trail Description: The first quarter mile of the Pawnee Pass Trail to Long Lake is a very heavily used trail. This was my fourth time hiking to Lake Isabelle, having previously completed it in summer, fall, and winter. 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. A $1 per person fee applies to those riding bicycles into the recreation area during the summer operating season. We waited an hour in line to get into Brainard Lake Recreation area in Roosevelt National Forrest. Drive about 15.6 miles to Nederland. From Nederland, drive 13 miles north on Colorado Highway 72 to the town of Ward - you will see the sign for … The lake is situated just under tree line and its crystal-clear waters reflect the jagged Indian Peaks. ProTrails | Lake Isabelle, Brainard Lake Recreation Area, … Brainard Lake trailhead. Brainard Lake. It lies at tree-line in a stunning alpine valley surrounded by Navajo (13,409′), Apache (13,441′) and Shoshoni (12,967′) peaks. Turn west onto the Brainard Lake Road (a.k.a. The Jean Lunning trail offers some really nice wildflowers without too much of a walk. Experience this 5.7-mile loop trail near Ward, Colorado. However, it's incredibly beautiful. Hike We Like: Isabelle Glacier Trail. The flowers are still beautiful and abundant higher up. Lake Isabelle. The hike to lake isabelle begins from the long lake trailhead in the brainard lake recreation area. Brainard and Isabelle Lakes, July 2018. Lake Isabella is a man-made reservoir located in the San Luis Valley of Colorado. The trailhead is a half mile beyond this lake at about 10,500 feet. 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. Meadows Field. It is set along the Frontier Pathways and Historic Byway in th. Ask for a map. It is an easy and family friendly hike. Lake Isabelle is located 2.1 miles from Long Lake Trailhead in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area in Boulder County. Lake Isabelle. 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 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. Prices and availability are subject to change. We parked the car near Brainard Lake and walked to the Long Lake Trailhead. Photo by USDA. Take Lee Hill Drive up to Lefthand Canyon Drive and turn left. 556. Pro tip: the Brainard Lake Recreation Area that this hike is located in… The main starting point for this hike is the Long Lake Trailhead at Brainard Lake Rec Area. 556. The journey starts at the Long Lake Trailhead located on Brainard Lake Road just west of the town of Ward. Together we hiked to the alpine lake with just our headlamps to light the way. It's roughly 2.25 miles from the Winter Lot to the base of Brainard Lake. A sunrise hike up to Lake Isabelle followed by a vow ceremon the next day at Brainard Lake. Isabelle Glacier is most easily accessed out of the bustling Brainard Lake Recreation Area. This year I did the hike in August and conditions were perfect. Lake Isabelle is a little gem located just outside of Boulder, Colorado. Lake Isabelle is an intermediate hike in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area in Boulder County, Colorado. Our first trip to Brainard Lake Thursday, June 27, was a smashing success. Lake Isabelle. From Pueblo go 25 miles south on I-25 to exit 74. I thought the hike was easy to Long Lake, and it got moderate to difficult closer to Lake Isabelle. Hiked to long lake, used the Pawnee pass trail to lake Isabelle and Pawnee Pass. 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 ultra-popular Brainard Lake Recreation Area is, more properly, actually two trailheads. ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS STORY. 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. Lake Isabelle, Brainard Lakes Recreation Area. Why We Love It: Blue glacial ice is a magical (and increasingly rare) sight. Brainard Lake Road circles Brainard Lake and leads to Pawnee Campground. Brainard Lake Rd Ward CO 80481. Indian Peaks Wilderness, Brainard Lake, Long Lake, Lake Isabelle. Lake Isabelle Nederland Colorado Lake Day Trips Explore St Charles Campground - Lake Isabel in PSICC Colorado with Recreationgov.. This was the perfect Colorado elopement! Throngs of summer visitors descend upon this region to enjoy more mellow hikes like Long Lake and Lake Isabelle. Additional terms apply. Distance: 4.2 miles round trip. It’s 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. I went with family with various levels of stamina. Yes, there is a $9 fee to enter but the pass last for 5 … Welcome to BRAINARD LAKE Recreation Area / Indian Peaks Wilderness in Colorado! During these months, a vehicle fee applies for trailheads located within the Brainard Lake Recreation Area. 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′). 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. Use the … 4382 Brainard Lake Road Ward CO 80481. The lake itself is located within the Indian Peaks Wilderness and a part of the Brainard Lake Recreation Area. Today’s trip was about five miles out and back. After a few days of haze, the smoke has finally begun to clear and reveal the beautiful views Colorado has to offer. 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'. Lake Isabelle sits 4.4 miles from the trailhead. I strongly recommend getting an early start. Follow the signs to the long lake trailhead. Indian Peaks Wilderness, Brainard Lake, Long Lake, Lake Isabelle. (National Park annual and senior passes are accepted). 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. Thu, Nov 24 - Mon, Dec 5. Turn right (north) and enter the Pawnee Basin. Probably the easiest hike on this list, Lake Isabelle is a quick and easy out-and-back with a huge payoff. The hike to Lake Isabelle begins from the Long Lake Distance – 4.46 miles round trip (7.18 km) Height – Climbed SE aspects to summit. Photo by John Kowalski. Brainard Lake itself is a small lake at the junction of two major valleys in the east central Indian Peaks Wilderness. 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. In celebration, I decided to venture over to Indian Peaks Wilderness for the first time and hike to Lake Isabelle. La Vista Campground is situated in a meadow overlooking the west side of the 40-acre Lake Isabel. 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 … Map of Lake Isabelle from the Long Lake Trailhead. I wanted to say up and back, but the climb was only about 400 feet to 10,868 feet at Lake Isabelle. For a longer, more difficult hike with a breathtaking reward, extend your adventure to include Lake Isabelle. It’s just south of Estes Park, west of Boulder, and north of Nederland. Begin the hike to Lake Isabelle from the main entrance gate following the Brainard Lake Road, past Brainard Lake. Take a left on Brainard Lake Road (NF 112) and follow it for about 5 miles to the lake. Brainard Lake Recreation Area is less than an hour’s drive from Boulder, making it one of the area's most popular destinations for outdoors athletes. As experienced locals will tell you, there is nothing “off the beaten path” about this trailhead or the trails in its immediate vicinity. ... One of our favorite winter snowshoe adventures leads you from Brainard Lake up to Lake Isabelle. The trail travels from Long Lake to Lake Isabelle, which sits just below the tree line. Share. Long Lake The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to … BFL. The trail enters the Indian Peaks … 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. We waited an hour in line to get into Brainard Lake Recreation area in Roosevelt National Forrest. Great opportunity for snow-showing, X-Country Skiing, or even hiking. $228 Roundtrip, found 5 days ago $228. If you enter the park before 8 a.m. there’s a better chance of finding parking in the Long Lake Trailhead. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 2 h 7 min to complete. Four of the five – Blue Lake, Mitchell Lake, Long Lake and Lake Isabelle – can only be reached on foot. Print/PDF Map. I had been scoping this one out for quite some time and had … Denver Intl. Phone Number. Navajo Peak rises above one of the glistening alpine lakes along the Isabelle Glacier Trail in the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area. Roads a little tight, and backing into some sites difficult for larger rvs. 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. How to Get to Brainard Lake. 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). Contact Boulder Ranger District, 2140 Yarmouth Ave, Boulder, CO 80301, Phone 303-541-2500, for more info.