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This is a great route through a high forest with nice views of peaks, ridges, and a nice lake.


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Map Key

10.1

Miles

16.2

KM

Loop

10,245' 3,123 m

High

9,391' 2,863 m

Low

1,290' 393 m

Up

1,289' 393 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

22%

Max Grade (12°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildlife

Overview

Head through the forest just below treeline in the Brainard Lake region of the Indian Peaks Wilderness. Take your time to enjoy this great pine forest. The closeness of the trees will keep you out of the wind and in a lush shadowed area.

Need to Know

There are several areas with tough footing, otherwise, great hiking.

Description

From the parking area at the Brainard Lake gate, follow the North Sourdough (#835) trail for approximately 1.8 miles. The trail starts to the left of the bathrooms and is signed as such. The first intersection is a short distance down the trail, take a right. Pay close attention to the next two intersections you pass, you'll need to know them for later!

At 1.8 miles, take a left at the intersection of the North Sourdough (#835) and Wapiti Trail to start this loop clockwise (the reverse is fun, too). Follow the Wapiti Trail (#816) to Baptiste Trail (#815), another 2.2 miles until the signage for Wapiti/Baptiste.

Staying to the right (back onto North Sourdough (#835), follow the trail another 1.2 miles until you reach the intersection where the loop began. Continue on North Sourdough (#835) south for .4 miles to the South Saint Vrain Trail (#909).

Keep right onto South Saint Vrain Trail (#909) and follow for approx. 2 miles. After that, you'll come to another intersection where you'll need to keep left, and take the Waldrop Trail (#814) and head back to the first intersection. A final right-hand turn will lead you back to the trailhead.

Flora & Fauna

Lodgepole pine forests will dominate. There are possible moose sightings at the lake at the end of the hike.

Contacts

Shared By:

John Scalese

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 11 votes

#3381

Overall
  4.0 from 11 votes
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Recommended Route Rankings

#535

in Colorado

#3,381

Overall
9 Views Last Month
5,029 Since Oct 23, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

Alternative route vs taking the road when parking at the Brainard Gateway parking lot.
Nov 7, 2016 near Nederland, CO
Snowshoeing Waldrop Trail
Dec 5, 2019 near Nederland, CO
Moose cow hanging out in a small lake on the trail.
Oct 23, 2015 near Nederland, CO
Small mountain pond surrounded by marsh land
Jul 6, 2018 near Nederland, CO
Climbing Sourdough from Beaver Reservoir offers some nice views from time to time.
Jul 31, 2019 near Nederland, CO
Very nice view here!
Jul 31, 2019 near Nederland, CO

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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 33 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Sep 11, 2023
Jill Out
6mi
Sep 4, 2022
Liz Ryan
Great loop. ~95% shaded. Places to camp. Simple elevation gain 10.1mi — 4h 35m
Jun 26, 2022
Matt Culpepper
Lower loop 5.5mi
Sep 19, 2020
Private User
Jul 17, 2020
Meg Medina
Also hiked to Mitchell Lake.
Mar 6, 2020
Kelli Baxstrom
Aug 24, 2018
Daylene York
10.2mi
Oct 21, 2017
Denise Lynch
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