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Brainard Lake Recreation Area

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Gems in Brainard Lake Recreation Area - 2

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Gems

gem Favorite View of Long Lake while taking the southern route to Lake Isabelle.

Long Lake

(11) Nederland, CO
gem Favorite Isabelle Lake surrounded by the Indian Peaks - stunning.

Lake Isabelle

(3) Nederland, CO

Recommended Routes in Brainard Lake Recreation Area - 7

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Favorite Climbing Buchanan Pass on the west side.
Difficult Difficult

Pawnee-Buchanan Loop

26.5 mi 42.6 km 6,632' Up 2021.41 m Up 6,615' Down 2016.24 m Down

Nederland, CO
Explore in 3D
Favorite Early morning along the trail
Intermediate Intermediate

Mitchell Lake Trail Out and Back

5.4 mi 8.7 km 864' Up 263.28 m Up 863' Down 263.16 m Down

Nederland, CO
Explore in 3D
Favorite Early morning along the trail
Difficult Difficult

Mount Audubon and Paiute East

9.7 mi 15.6 km 3,358' Up 1023.5 m Up 3,358' Down 1023.41 m Down

Nederland, CO
Explore in 3D
Favorite On the Jean Lunning Trail
Intermediate Intermediate

Long Lake Loop

3.6 mi 5.8 km 294' Up 89.63 m Up 294' Down 89.48 m Down

Nederland, CO
Explore in 3D
Favorite February snowshoe to Brainard Lake
Intermediate Intermediate

Brainard Lake Snowshoe Trail

4.8 mi 7.8 km 468' Up 142.59 m Up 467' Down 142.42 m Down

Nederland, CO
Explore in 3D
Favorite Isabelle Lake surrounded by the Indian Peaks - stunning.
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

Isabelle Glacier Out and Back

8.3 mi 13.3 km 1,549' Up 472.06 m Up 1,550' Down 472.34 m Down

Nederland, CO
Explore in 3D
Favorite Alternative route vs taking the road when parking at the Brainard Gateway parking lot.
Intermediate Intermediate

Brainard Gateway Figure-8

10.1 mi 16.2 km 1,290' Up 393.05 m Up 1,289' Down 393 m Down

Nederland, CO
Explore in 3D

Brainard Lake Recreation Area Hiking

  • 38 Miles 61 Kilometers of Trail
  • 7 Recommended Routes
  • 2 Gems Gems
  • 4 Easy Trails Easy Trails
  • 14 Intermediate Trails Intermediate Trails
  • 6 Difficult Trails Difficult Trails
Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Share what you know about this area!

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Trails in Brainard Lake Recreation Area - 17

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Trails

8.0 mi 12.8 km #1Pawnee Pass Trail
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Nederland, CO
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Nederland, CO 31 
2.1 mi 3.3 km #2Isabelle Glacier Trail
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Nederland, CO
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Nederland, CO 30 
1.3 mi 2.1 km #3Jean Lunning Trail
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Nederland, CO
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Nederland, CO
2.1 mi 3.5 km #4Mount Audubon Trail
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Nederland, CO
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Nederland, CO
1.0 mi 1.6 km #5Paiute East Ridge
Very Difficult Very Difficult
Nederland, CO
Very Difficult Very Difficult
Nederland, CO
2.2 mi 3.6 km #6Waldrop Trail (#814)
Intermediate Intermediate
Nederland, CO
Intermediate Intermediate
Nederland, CO
2.6 mi 4.3 km #7Niwot Ridge Spur Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Nederland, CO
Intermediate Intermediate
Nederland, CO
6.9 mi 11.1 km #8Beaver Creek Trail
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Nederland, CO
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Nederland, CO
6.9 mi 11.1 km #9North Sourdough (#835)
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Nederland, CO
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Nederland, CO
1.5 mi 2.4 km #10Wapiti Trail (#816)
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Nederland, CO
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Nederland, CO

Photos of Brainard Lake Recreation Area - 95

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Photos

The view from Beaver Creek Trail.
Apr 26, 2015 near Nederland, CO
Isabelle Lake surrounded by the Indian Peaks - stunning.
Nov 7, 2016 near Nederland, CO
Climbing boulders before climbing the peaks.
Nov 7, 2016 near Nederland, CO
Looking toward Pawnee Pass from atop Audubon.
Jul 3, 2017 near Nederland, CO
Early morning along the trail
Sep 6, 2018 near Nederland, CO
Before reaching the switchbacks
Jul 26, 2020 near Nederland, CO
Lake Isabelle
Aug 8, 2020 near Nederland, CO
Lake Isabelle lies hidden in a high, isolated bowl-shaped basin at the top of the South St. Vrain drainage in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area.
Feb 8, 2022 near Nederland, CO

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