Trip
Backpack – Brainard Lake Rec Area - Winter Gateway
2-night backpacking trip in Indian Peaks Wilderness. BPX membership is NOT required. First day is toughest, you'll want a lightweight pack. Pace will be moderate.
Contacts
- Thu, Aug 13, 2026 — Sat, Aug 15, 2026
- Bobcats Section
- Backpacking
- Adults
- Difficult
- Mileage: 40.0 mi
- Elevation Gain: 9,000 ft
- High Point Elevation: 12,541 ft
- Pace: 2.5 mph on level trail and 1,000 ft/hr
- 3 (3 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
Map file and trip details will be provided after registration. To register, you should be self sufficient in the backcountry and comfortable with the trip stats. Trip leader approval required. Stats:
Day 1 - 17 miles and 4,700' elevation gain; camp at Gourd Lake (10,800')
Day 2 - 9 miles and 2,200' gain plus option for lunch at Crater Lake (additional 4 miles roundtrip and 300' gain); camp at Pawnee Lake (10,900')
Day 3 - 9 miles and 1,800' gain.
Time and place TBD. (I do not have a parking reservation, unfortunately. We'll be hiking from the winter trailhead.)
Required Equipment
Backpacking gear including shelter, sleep system, stove with shut-off valve.