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Boulder, CO: Blue Lake
Sampling the best of the Indian Peaks Wilderness, this 5-milers traverses alpine meadows up to a sparkling lake perched below the Continental Divide.
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| Author: | Backpacker Magazine |
| Activity: | Hiking |
| State: | Colorado (CO) |
| Distance: | 2.51 mi |
| Difficulty: | 5 / 10 |
| USGS Topo Map: | Ward |
| Rating: | Unrated |
At mile 1, the climb intensifies up a series of increasingly narrow and rugged steps. Notice the changing vegetation and twisted, wind-blown trees as you pass several unnamed ponds and approach the towering mountains above
At Blue Lake, large, scattered rocks offer shore-side picnic seating and user-created trails along the lake's north shore offer a peek at the lake’s west end waterfall and additional exploration opportunities upstream.
-Mapped by Kristy Holland and Steve Johnson
TO TRAILHEAD: From Broadway St. and Canyon Blvd. in Boulder, CO, head west on Canyon Blvd./CO 119 for 17 miles to Nederland. At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit onto CO 72/Peak to Peak Hwy. In 11.8 miles, turn left onto NF 112/Brainard Lake Rd. (closed seasonally), and head into Brainard Lake Recreation Area (day-use fee applicable). In 4.7 miles, turn right onto Brainard Lake Rd. In .5 mile, turn right to stay on Brainard Lake Rd. Follow .4 mile to small parking area.
| Position Format: | Datum: |
Tracks
Blue Lake
| Distance: 2.51 mi | Points: 164 |
Points of Interest
BLU001
Location: 40.083046, -105.581768Mitchell Lake Trailhead: Begin by following Mitchell Lake Trail No. 912 on the left side of the parking area bathrooms.
BLU002
Location: 40.085214, -105.586504The wood-stepped trail flattens out again near this plank platform, the first of many along the trail. The wooden walkways protect the marshy, muddy terrain from hikers, and vice-versa.
BLU003
Location: 40.085599, -105.588628After skirting a marshland on your right, you'll re-enter the woods and cross the trail's most impressive bridge: a double-railed structure 15 feet above the cascading Mitchell Lake drainage creek.
BLU004
Location: 40.085326, -105.589116At mile 0.5, the trail crosses into the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area. The boundary is marked with a wooden sign and posted wilderness-area regulations.
BLU005
Location: 40.086558, -105.594409Turn left to stay on the trail, following it west about 100 feet from the shore of Mitchell Lake.
BLU006
Location: 40.086730, -105.595782Stay straight @ 3-way junction, or turn right on user created trails for a quick 100-foot detour to check out the lakeshore.
BLU007
Location: 40.086606, -105.597339This double log bridge is a close runner-up for the most impressive along the trail.
BLU008
Location: 40.086547, -105.600235Hop onto this 150-foot boardwalk trail to stay out of the mud.
BLU009
Location: 40.083782, -105.607854Climb onto this large, flat rock for a rest, or just enjoy the southern view of this pond from the trailside overlook.
BLU010
Location: 40.085315, -105.613132As you approach treeline and the shores of Blue Lake on this rocky trail, the knobby fir and pine take on twisted, whimsical shapes.
BLU011
Location: 40.088447, -105.617425The wide, open area at the foot of Blue Lake may be crowded with other hikers. Stop for a picnic on the inviting rocks near here, or continue west along the lakeshore for other prime, and more private, spots.
Indian Peaks
Location: 40.085558, -105.588441Half a mile into the hike, you'll pass a wooden sign marking the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area. © Steve Johnson
Log Bridge
Location: 40.086477, -105.597110Crossing a wide cascade on the trail above Mitchell Lake. © Steve Johnson
Boardwalks
Location: 40.084967, -105.605907Boardwalks help control trail damage and keep hikers dry on marshy sections of this trail. © Steve Johnson
Pond Overlook
Location: 40.083654, -105.608032The trail overlooks several small, unnamed ponds en route to Blue Lake. © Steve Johnson
Mt. Audubon
Location: 40.088382, -105.617302A view of Mt. Audubon's south-facing talus slope. User-created trails criss-cross the lower portion of the slope. © Steve Johnson
Pawnee Peak
Location: 40.088382, -105.617409Pawnee Peak view from the shores of Blue Lake © Steve Johnson
Mount Toll
Location: 40.088382, -105.617259A view of Mount Toll from the eastern shore of Blue Lake © Steve Johnson
Stopping Point
Location: 40.088349, -105.617216Large, flat rocks near the lakeshore are fun to climb and make great picnic spots. © Steve Johnson
Waterfall
Location: 40.089728, -105.621808This 30-foot fall is at the western end of Blue Lake. © Steve Johnson
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