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 the Front Range, 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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 the Front Range.
- 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.
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