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Hiking trails & Routes

United States

Colorado

Boulder County

Brainard Lake – Mitchell Lake loop from South Saint Vrain Creek

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

United States

Colorado

Boulder County

Brainard Lake – Mitchell Lake loop from South Saint Vrain Creek

Easy

4.6

(2430)

5,864

hikers

Brainard Lake – Mitchell Lake loop from South Saint Vrain Creek

01:50

6.55km

120m

Hiking

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: June 11, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Indian Peaks Wilderness

Roosevelt National Forest

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

713 m

Brainard Lake

Highlight • Lake

Brainard Lake is a beautiful alpine lake in the Indian Peaks Wilderness below the Continental Divide surrounded by subalpine forest. It is in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area, which during the summer season usually requires a reservation and a fee, but if you are on your bike you do not need to pay or reserve a time slot. Because of the area's high elevation, snow typically remains until late spring, even on the paved road to the lake.

Tip by

1.81 km

Mitchell Lake Trailhead

Highlight • Trail

There is a sizeable parking lot here with restrooms. You can run up to Blue Lakes or Audubon and Paiute Peaks. The Blue Lake run is a great alpine trail run. The push up Audubon is a talus scramble but quite doable. The route over to Paiute is a dangerous loose ridgeline of the same talus and should not be attempted unless the weather is good and you have mountaineering experience.

Tip by

1.91 km

Mitchell Lake Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

The trail to Mitchell Lake is relatively short and stays below treeline. You are rewarded with incredible views across the lake and to the peaks beyond. Once you pass Blue Lake the trail gets more rugged.

Tip by

3.29 km