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Ward General Store – Brainard Lake loop from Boulder

Ward General Store – Brainard Lake loop from Boulder

Hard

4.8

(6020)

13,210

riders

Ward General Store – Brainard Lake loop from Boulder

03:10

56.6km

1,280m

Road cycling

Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: April 30, 2026

Tips

The surface for a segment of your route may not be suitable

Some segments of your route comprise a surface that may not be suitable for your chosen sport.

After 25.2 km for 130 m

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

19.5 km

Ward General Store

Highlight • Cafe

Ask for the cinnamon rolls!

Tip by

25.2 km

If you're looking for a picturesque spot off the beaten path, you should definitely check out Red Rock Lake. At an elevation of around 10,500 feet, this hidden gem is often overshadowed by Brainard Lake, but it's worth a visit. The lake offers stunning reflections and vibrant colors, making it a photographer's paradise, especially during sunrise or after sunset. Red Rock Lake is located inside the Brainard Lake Recreational Area off the Peak to Peak Highway (Hwy 72) near Ward, CO. You can visit the area throughout the summer and into October without a fee if you are on your bike.

Tip by

28.3 km

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

39.4 km

Lefthand Canyon (from Lee Hill Drive to Ward)

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

This section of the popular Lefthand Canyon is a long, but scenic climb with increasingly good views of the often-snowcapped Indian Peaks the closer you get to Ward. Ward is a tiny mountain town just off the Peak to Peak highway with a cyclist-friendly general store. This section is also super, super fun to fly down, but be aware deer in the road and cars.

Tip by

56.6 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

55.6 km

642 m

269 m

104 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

56.5 km

174 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (3,160 m)

Lowest point (1,940 m)

Weather

Today

Wednesday 8 July

26°C

14°C

78 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 15.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

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Ward General Store – Brainard Lake loop from Boulder

Ward General Store

Red Rock Lake

Brainard Lake

Lefthand Canyon (from Lee Hill Drive to Ward)

Nearby routes

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