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Blue & Mitchell Lake

 21 votes
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Front Range
  4. …Ward
  5. Brainard Lake Recreation Area
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Length

5.4 Miles 8.7 Kilometers


Elevation

864' 263 m

Ascent

-863' -263 m

Descent

6%

Avg Grade (3°)

15%

Max Grade (9°)

11,387' 3,471 m

High

10,524' 3,208 m

Low

Conditions

Minor Issues 37 days ago
Snowy, Icy History
Getting forecast...

“An easily accessible, high alpine lake trail surrounded by stunning aspens.”

— Tom Robson
GPX File — Driving Directions

Overview

Campfires are not allowed. Camping is only permissible in this zone between December 1 and April 30. From May 1 through November 30, this area is day-use only.
This high alpine hike is readily accessible from the Brainard Lake Recreation Area, and thus is one of the most popular routes in the area.

If you can, be sure to hit this hike on a nice fall day. The aspens in this area are amazing!
Features: Fall Colors — Lake — River/Creek — Views — Wildlife
Dogs: Leashed

Need to Know

The Brainard Lake Road is open seasonally. During these months, a vehicle fee applies for trailheads located within the Brainard Lake Recreation Area.

Description

The wooded Mitchell Lake Trail to Blue Lake enters the Indian Peaks Wilderness near the bridge across Mitchell Creek. It continues on a good trail for 0.5 miles to Mitchell Lake and crosses a bridge over the inlet.

Another 1.5 miles of trail takes you up a slope, then along the creek in an open valley to Blue Lake. This lake lies at tree line below Mount Toll (elevation 12,979 feet), a cone-shaped pinnacle on the Continental Divide. When snowy, it is very easy to lose the trail and close attention is necessary.

Flora & Fauna

Be on the lookout for pika, marmot, and moose! Additionally, this trail is great for fall aspen viewing.

Contacts

Land Manager: USFS - Arapaho and Pike National Forests - Clear Creek Ranger District

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Your Check-Ins

Check-Ins

Oct 29, 2017
Danielle Rourke
Parked at the Winter Trailhead and hiked the Waldrop trail to south st. vrain trail to Mitchell trail to Mitchell lake. Icy and snowy patches thro… 8mi
Sep 30, 2017
Joel Brewer
Made it to Mitchell lake w/ Adam, Sam, and Tanya! Due to rain and snow we turned around; would love to come back and go all the way to Blue Lake. 2mi
Sep 28, 2017
Dave Flinta
Sep 15, 2017
Mike Langenkamp
6mi
Sep 10, 2017
Alex Mandrila
Aug 24, 2017
Genevieve Labadie
Aug 20, 2017
Ellen Jardine
Aug 19, 2017
Alan M
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 21 votes

#2

in Brainard Lake Recreation Area

#171

Overall
  4.5 from 21 votes
5 Star
52%
4 Star
43%
3 Star
5%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Rankings

#2

in Brainard Lake Recreati…

#45

in Colorado

#171

Overall
295 Views Last Month
4,802 Since Apr 26, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate
5%
19%
67%
10%
0%
0%
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Photos

Blue Lake with Mt Toll
Blue Lake with Mt Toll
 3
Blue Lake
Blue Lake
 5
The view from Beaver Creek Trail.
The view from Beaver Creek Trail.
 7
You can follow the trail around the north side of the lake and break free of the crowds
You can follow the trail around the north side…
 4
A hiker, blocking the stunning view of Mount Audubon.
A hiker, blocking the stunning view of Mount Au…
 3
This winter's first snowfall over Blue Lake
This winter's first snowfall over Blue Lake
 3
Blue Lake and boulder.
Blue Lake and boulder.
 3
View from Blue Lake looking southeast.
View from Blue Lake looking southeast.
 3

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