Trip
Ascending Hikes – Brainard Lake Rec Area - Long Lake Trailhead
Beautiful hike to Isabelle Lake then on to Isabelle Glacier in the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area. Route-finding and some easy scrambling may be necessary.
Contacts
- Sun, Jul 28, 2024
- Ascending Hikes Section
- Hiking
- Adults
- Challenging
- Challenging
- Mileage: 10.0 mi
- Elevation Gain: 1,800 ft
- High Point Elevation: 12,000 ft
- Pace: 1.5 to 2 mph with 1000' gain per hour
- FULL, 23 on waitlist (10 capacity)
- FULL (2 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
I will be contacting hikers about two weeks before the hike to find folks to get us timed entry permits for Brainard Lake Recreation area. In addition, please bring your National Parks Pass if you have one. Otherwise, the entry fee is $14 per car.
Meet at Golden Gate Canyon Rd Parking at 6:15 am for a prompt 6:30 am departure. Golden Gate Canyon Road is located on the southwest corner of CO 93 and Golden Gate Canyon Road. The location on Google Maps is here
We will take CO 93 North to CO 72 (Coal Creek Canyon Rd). When we reach CO 119, we will follow that to Nederland where we'll have a rest stop. From there, follow CO 119 to Brainard Lake Road
Driving Directions from Golden Gate Canyon Parking to Long Lake Trailhead are here
This hike is labeled challenging because of the portion of the hike after Lake Isabelle. Just after the lake, it is marshy and difficult to follow the trail. After the lake, there may be some easy scrambling, and a wet section of rocky trail due to run-off from the glacier. We will be working on map reading skills, rocky trails and altitude conditioning.
Required Equipment
You will need to bring waterproof hiking boots, poles if you use them, and if you want dry feet for the walk back from Isabelle Lake, I suggest an extra pair of socks. Inseyct repellent is suggested, because of the marshy area.
As always, you need to have the 10 essentials including food, water, full raingear, sunscreen, etc.