Trip
Intermediate Snowshoe – Brainard Lake Rec Area - Mitchell Lake TH - Mitchell Lake
This is the fifth in a series of Ascending Hikes, Winter Edition this season: From the Brainard Lake Recreation Area winter parking lot we will snowshoe to Mitchell Lake in Indian Peaks Wilderness. At Mitchell Lake we'll enjoy the views of Mount Toll, Pawnee Peak, and Shoshoni Peak.
Contacts
- Fri, Jan 31, 2025
- Ascending Hikes Section
- Snowshoeing
- Adults
- Moderate
- Moderate
- Mileage: 8.2 mi
- Elevation Gain: 1,000 ft
- High Point Elevation: 10,738 ft
- Pace: 1.3-1.8 MPH
- 5 (6 capacity)
- FULL (2 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
Carpool Place & Time: Meet at US 36 & McCaslin Blvd PnR-South 7:00AM for a 7:15AM departure (US 36 and McCaslin Blvd Park and Ride - South - Google Maps)
We'll then carpool to the Brainard Lake Recreation Area winter parking lot (Brainard Lake Winter Lot - Google Maps)
Additional carpool meeting place could include location further north.
We'll hike a loop route. From the winter parking lot, we'll hike along the Waldrop Trail to the South St. Vrain Trail and the Mitchell Lake Trail to Mitchell Lake. We'll make our way back to the parking area along the CMC Snowshoe Trail and Snowshoe Trail #814.3. Our route will avoid avalanche risk areas. We'll find a sunny spot for lunch/snack. Our pace will accommodate all participants. Overall ~9 miles and ~1000 ft elevation gain. (Mitchell Lake Loop - CalTopo)
Required Equipment
10 essentials, snowshoes and microspikes are required. Trekking poles are recommended.