Intermediate Snowshoe – Ascending Hikes, Winter Edition - Brainard Lake Loop

Carpool Place & Time: Meet at CoorsTek Parking lot at 7:00am, for no later than 7:15am departure (CoorsTek Parking Lot - Google Maps)

We'll then carpool to the Brainard Lake Recreation Area winter parking lot (Brainard Lake Winter Lot - Google Maps)

Additional carpool meeting places could include locations further north.

This is the third in a series of Ascending Hikes, Winter Edition this season: A ~ 7 mile snowshoe hike to Brainard Lake via the South St Vrain Trail in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area. We'll follow a loop route, leaving from the winter parking area and utilize snowshoe trails with a visit to the CMC Hut (hopefully it's open) and marvelous views of Brainard Lake and the surrounding Indian Peaks.

This will be a loop route from the Brainard Lake Recreation Area winter parking lot. We'll follow the Sourdough Trail north to the South St Vrain Trail. We'll turn west along the trail until we find the CMC Hut just north of Brainard Lake. Hopefully it will be open and we can enjoy eating our snack/lunch inside the hut. We'll then make out way along the CMC Snowshoe trail to the east side of Brainard Lake and get some more views of the surrounding Indian Peaks. We'll attempt to locate the Snowshoe Trail #814.3 which we'll follow back to the parking lot. Our route will keep us out of avalanche risk areas. Our pace will accommodate all participants. Overall ~7 miles and ~1000 ft elevation gain. (Brianard Lake South St Vrain Loop - CalTopo)

The Colorado Mountain Club's Ascending Hike Section (AHS) provides an opportunity to make new friends and explore new places in Colorado's backcountry, while increasing your personal hiking speed, strength, and stamina. The section is administered by CMC volunteers. There is no cost, fee, or scheduling commitment. There are no dues or elections. Open to all CMC members. To join the section, contact the CMC office. (Ascending Hikes Section — The Colorado Mountain Club (cmc.org))