Conservation – Brainard Lake - Gateway Parking

Join CMC's Brainard Lake Stewardship Trail Crew for a day of trail work! No prior trail work experience required. Learn about how trails are built and maintained as well as the work the CMC does to help our state's trail systems. This month, CMC's Brainard Crew is working on a trail maintenance and ecological restoration project at Lake Isabelle to widen parts of the Pawnee Pass and Isabelle Glacier Trails. Wednesday workdays are a recurring event in the 2026 season. Meet with the CMC Crew at the Brainard Lake Gateway parking lot at 8:30 to discuss the day's plan and to make sure everyone is prepared before setting off.

Access to the Lake Isabelle worksite will require a CMC provided carpool to the trailhead, followed by a 2 mile hike in and out. Because we will be working a distance from the Gateway parking lot, please plan to stay with the group the whole work day. We will end back at the Gateway parking lot no later than 6pm.

Please wear sturdy hiking boots, long pants, and bring work/gardening gloves if you have them. Sunshirts/long-sleeve shirts are recommended. CMC will provide tools. Please bring your own food and water for the day. Water sources may be limited in the area of work, so plan accordingly and bring a water filter if you will need to refill water. Plan to pack in/pack out all of your trash/items, CMC's crew is not responsible for anything left behind. While working in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, please use Leave No Trace techniques to help keep these areas wild, clean and pristine. The only accessible restroom facilities are at the Gateway and trailhead parking, plan accordingly on the trail.

We can't wait to see you out on the trail helping give back to Colorado's great natural resources!

Meet with the Stewardship Trail Crew at the Brainard Lake Gateway parking lot (before the toll booth) at 8:30am.