Colorado, Colorado Hikes

Colorado Day Hikes: Long Lake and Lake Isabelle

Diana

A couple weeks back, I published an informational post about Brainard Lake Recreation Area, a popular destination that encompasses the eastern side of the Indian Peaks and surrounding wilderness area. This area is popular for a reason. Actually, there are many reasons, including its relatively short distance from Denver, ease of access, and plethora of beautiful lakes, some of which can be reached by car and others that require hiking. Most of the hikes aren’t terribly long or strenuous, though, making these some of the most easily accessible alpine lakes near Denver during the summer months.

This post is going to focus on one of the two most popular lake-centric hikes at Brainard: Long Lake and Lake Isabelle. Next week, I’ll talk about the other.

(For more specific information on entering the Rec Area – note that you must pay a fee and obtain a timed entry parking reservation – and reaching the Long Lake Trailhead, I’ll direct you to my previous post. You’ll also find information there on what to expect in terms of weather and wilderness safety.)

After obtaining your timed-entry parking reservation, paying your entrance fee, and arriving at the trailhead, grab your gear and follow the Pawnee Pass Trail toward Long Lake.

Long Lake is only about 0.3 miles (0.5 km) up the trail; this is a quick and relatively flat hike. I’ve hiked this trail at various times of year, and as you can see in the photos below, it looks a little different each time.

Long Lake in July
Long Lake in early September
Long Lake in late September

To continue to Lake Isabelle from here, there are two options: left or right. It doesn’t really matter, because the trail fully encircles Long Lake. But for the shortest route to Lake Isabelle, stay right. The trail parallels the shore of Long Lake – which is, in fact, accurately named – and then begins to gradually gain elevation en route to Lake Isabelle. It’s only about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from the end of Long Lake up to Lake Isabelle, with about 500 feet (150 m) of elevation gain – most of which is in the final stretch.

Approaching Lake Isabelle in July

After this final climb, you’ll catch your first glimpse of Lake Isabelle! It’s such a pretty lake, surrounded by jagged mountains, lush greenery, and the characteristic orange-ish band of rock on the right. There are various large boulders here that provide places to sit and enjoy the view.

Lake Isabelle in July

Lake Isabelle is actually a reservoir and often gets partially drained in late August or early September. While there will still be some water when this occurs, in my opinion it does detract somewhat from the beauty of the lake. I would recommend hiking this trail before the drainage occurs, if possible.

Approaching Lake Isabelle in September
Lake Isabelle in September

We have also hiked/snowshoed as far as Lake Isabelle in the winter, and while it’s substantially more challenging due to road closures and snow, it’s an absolutely beautiful hike. We lucked out with some truly stellar weather and had a wonderful time.

Optionally, if you have the stamina, proper gear, and the weather is good, you can continue beyond Lake Isabelle to Isabelle Glacier or Pawnee Pass. I’ve done the former but not the latter (yet) and definitely recommend it.

Long story short, Long Lake and Lake Isabelle can easily be a destination of their own, but they can also be a prelude to some longer and more strenuous Indian Peaks adventures.

Up next: hiking to Mitchell and Blue Lakes at Brainard Lake Recreation Area

The Important Stuff:

  • Getting there: The hike to Long Lake and Lake Isabelle departs from the Long Lake Trailhead at Brainard Lake Recreation Area. Your maps app should get you there, but screenshot the directions just in case as there is no service once you’re in the mountains.

  • Fees and passes: Entry to Brainard Lake Recreation Area for this hike requires (1) a Long Lake Trailhead timed-entry parking reservation that must be booked in advance and (2) a $12/car entrance fee or America the Beautiful pass. Be sure to download, screenshot, or print your reservations and passes in advance; there is no service at the trailhead.

  • Hiking: Roundtrip distance to Long Lake is 0.6 miles (1 km) with about 50 feet (15 m) of elevation gain. To continue to Lake Isabelle, it’s an additional 4 miles (6.4 km) roundtrip with about 500 feet (150 m) of elevation gain.

  • Where to stay: There is one campground in the rec area that must be reserved in advance. Otherwise, this is an easy day hike from Denver, Boulder, or the surrounding area.

  • Other: Beware of moose. There are a lot of them in the rec area and I’ve seen at least one on almost every single hike. Be sure your dog is on a leash (which is required anyway, since it’s a wilderness area) and be sure you know what to do in case of an encounter.

Published by Diana

Hiking, road-tripping, and handstanding my way around the US (currently) and the world (hopefully in the not-so-distant post-COVID future… if such a thing exists)

34 thoughts on “Colorado Day Hikes: Long Lake and Lake Isabelle”

  1. Pingback: Colorado Day Hikes: Mitchell and Blue Lakes – Handstands Around the World

  2. So beautiful, perfect weather. I remember hiking around Brainard Lake when I first came to Colorado in the early 70s. Can’t remember which trails but it was gorgeous and probably nowhere near as crowded as now.

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  5. Your hikes are just always so beautiful. I actually did a walk in Cambridgeshire where I live last weekend and it was so flat my total ascent was 18 metres!!! I thought, Diana would be so disappointed hahahaha!

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  6. Something to add to the list for next time, especially since you mentioned that there are a lot of moose in this area. I’m trying to decide whether the landscape looks nicer in July or in late September. Those mountains are beautiful. And the lakes too of course.

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    1. Yeah, it sits at about 10,800 feet (~3300 m) at tree line is usually at least 11,200 feet (~3400 m) here. There are plenty of lower lakes here but I tend to seek alpine ones. This is definitely one of the prettiest non-alpine lakes I’ve come across!

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  11. I do love the scenery on this hike Diana. Hard to pass on a short hike like this and that is why it is so popular. Mountains, lakes and hiking make a fine combination. Happy Wednesday. Allan

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  12. I could easily do this hike with my girls, Diana! The landscape along the way is stunning, and I love the front-row view of the rugged ridges and how different the area looks throughout the seasons. While I would prefer the autumn colour palette, there’s something alluring about gaining elevation and watching how the trees start to thin and small alpine meadows full of flowers fill in the gaps. Thanks for sharing, and have a wonderful day 🙂 Aiva xx

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    1. You definitely could, it’s a good family-friendly option! And I’m sure your girls would have fun stopping along the road to the trailhead to play in the water at Red Rock or Brainard Lakes too!

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  16. Now these are hikes I can get on board with! They look short and not too strenuous, but also offer very rewarding views. I’ll need to add Long Lake and Lake Isabelle to my list of places to check out upon a return to Colorado. Thanks for sharing, Diana!

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  17. Pingback: Colorado Day Hikes: Lake Isabelle – Handstands Around the World
  18. Pingback: Colorado Day Hikes: Isabelle Glacier – Handstands Around the World
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