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| Fisherman in Brainard Lake |
6.29.2013
I had been wanted to go to Blue Lake but had never made it there until today. There are a few Blue Lakes in Colorado. The one I went today is in Indian Peak Wilderness Brainard Lake recreation area and near the town of Ward. Here is the description of the trail on
trails.com. According to trails.com, the length of the trail is 5 miles but there are other resources saying it is over 5 miles. Maybe someone started counting it from the parking lot.
To get there from Denver, take US 36 west then CO 119. Turn to 102 west towards Brainard Lake recreation area right after the sign of Ward. The travel time from the central of Denver is about an hour and a half or more. We took Peak to Peak highway 72 all the way down to Nederland from Westminster.
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| The road between parking lot and the TH |
The fee to enter the park is $10 per car. Several passes can be used here to cover the fee, i.e. the national park pass (RMNP pass can't), the senior pass etc. After entering the park, there is a big parking lot with restroom can be easily seen. This is a very popular hiking spot, the parking is always a pain. In the peak season, many people have to park a mile or even more away from the trailhead. Not sure whether this area just opened a few days ago, the parking lot was quite empty this morning when we got there.
From the parking lot, follow the sign to Mitchell trailhead. There is another small parking lot by the trailhead but it is not open until July 14 as the additional parking. Following the sign to get on Mitchell Lake trail. It is only 1 mile easy hike to get there. The trail was a bit rough and muddy but overall, it was fine. After we passed Mitchell Lake, the trail became more rocky, muddy and many parts were covered with snow, which made the hike a bit challenging. But we finally made it to the Blue Lake. The lake was still covered with ice although the waterfall on Mount Toll was running. The view was gorgeous. It was a bit windy by the lake but it wasn't too bad or too chilly.
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| Mitchell Lake |
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| Ice covered trail |
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| Crossing the creek |
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| Muddy rocky trail |
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| Mount Toll |
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| Blue Lake |
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| Blue Lake |
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| Blue Lake |
We did see lots of wildflowers along the trail but it is still not the peak bloom yet. I am sure it will be even more beautiful in July and August but then the ice in the lake may be gone by then.
It is an in-and-out trail. The way down was not necessary easier because of the road condition. My pace had to slow down in order to keep my balance. In about half way, we encountered the thunderstorm. Luckily, no lightning but rain. The rain made the rocks more slippery. Even with the carefulness, I still fell on the trail and stepped half my foot into the mud once. So the rain gear and a good pair of hiking boots are essential.
It was definitely a hike with great views and worth all the efforts to get up there. A few of us felt exhausted from the hike, especially the hike in the rain so we decided to skip the after hike lunch and headed back home. When we turned from 119 to 72, we saw a moose and her baby! What a great reward to our long day!
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| Moose Mom & baby |
From the parking lot, follow the sign to Mitchell trailhead. There is another small parking lot by the trailhead but it is not open until July 14 as the additional parking. Following the sign to get on Mitchell Lake trail. It is only 1 mile easy hike to get there. The trail was a bit rough and muddy but overall, it was fine. After we passed Mitchell Lake, the trail became more rocky, muddy and many parts were covered with snow, which made the hike a bit challenging. But we finally made it to the Blue Lake. The lake was still covered with ice although the waterfall on Mount Toll was running. The view was gorgeous. It was a bit windy by the lake but it wasn't too bad or too chilly.
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