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Advanced Snowshoe – Blue Lake from Brainard Lake Gateway Trailhead

Blue Lake from Brainard Lake Gateway Trailhead

Contacts

William Broderick
William Broderick
Primary Leader
  • Sat, Jan 20, 2024
  • Northern Colorado
  • Snowshoeing
  • Adults
  • Challenging
  • Challenging
  • Mileage: 11.67 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 1,814 ft
  • High Point Elevation: 11,345 ft

This is a register with leader trip, those who register without leader approval will be removed from the trip until leader approval is obtained.  

To register please contact Bill Broderick at billbroderick@yahoo.com.

We’ll start from the Brainard Lake Gateway Trailhead (Brainard Lake Winter Lot) and hike the Waldrop Trail to the South St. Vrain Trail to the Mitchell Lake Trailhead. From the Mitchell Lake Trailhead we will hike the Mitchell Lake Trail past Mitchell Lake to Blue Lake via the Blue Lakes Trail.

If there is a lot of snow the Waldrop Trail is typically well packed but the trail beyond that is less used and can require route finding and trail breaking. From the Mitchell Lake Trailhead to Mitchell Lake the path can wonder away from the standard trail with multiple options. Beyond Mitchell Lake there is rarely a packed trail when the snow is deep. Staying on the summer trail is not always the best option. Everyone will be expected to participate in breaking trail and route finding.


Once we leave Mitchell Lake and the tree cover it can be windy. Blue Lake almost always has a strong cold wind in the winter. Plan on bringing all your winter layers.


The view of a frozen Blue Lake and the surrounding snow covered peaks of Mt. Audubon, Paiute Peak, Mt. Toll, Pawnee Peak and Little Pawnee Peak is one of the best in the area.


On the return hike from Blue Lake we will follow our track past the Mitchell Lake Trailhead and then connect with the Brainard Lake Trail with a quick stop at the CMC Hut. From there we will head towards Brainard Lake with a short section of road walking on the North side of the Lake before getting back into the woods on the Snowshoe Trail which takes us through the Pawnee Campground to the Waldrop Trail we started on back to the Trailhead.


Expect the hike to take a full day (8 or more hours).
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd691387.pdf
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/blue-lake-from-brainard-trailhead

Brainard Lake Gateway Trailhead (Brainard Lake Winter Lot) at 7:15AM

Route/Place

Route-Place TBD

Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

Ten essentials. Final required gear decision will be made closer to the time of hike based on current conditions. Assuming winter conditions snowshoes and Microspikes. Winter gear including gators, goggles and full face covering. Poles if you use them.

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