The brainard lake recreational area near ward, colorado, is a very popular destination for outdoorsmen and women of all types. We had 2 kids with that had a great time running down the path and hoping over the creek. Jul 10, 2016 brainard lake snowshoe tracks at brainard lake james dziezynsky just an hour from boulder, brainard lake, which is part of brainard lake recreation area, is a snowshoeing paradise, with a diverse network of interconnecting trails for all levels, some built specifically for snowshoeing. Jan 10, 2020 whether youre a free spirit or prefer to follow a groomed path, heres a list to get you snowshoeing in colorados great outdoors this winter. About an hours drive from boulder, the namesake lake sits at 10,000 ft.
The books homepage helps you explore earths biggest bookstore without ever leaving the comfort of your couch. Brainard lake snowshoeing, hiking, camping ward, colorado. Best trails in brainard lake recreation area colorado. From colorado highway 72 just north of ward, turn west onto the brainard lake road. Brainard lake snowshoe trail hiking trail, nederland, colorado. Brainard lake recreation area is located just west of ward, colorado. Some information i have indicates brainard lake also contains brown trout, if you can confirm this please contact me. Colorado has backcountry huts located throughout the rocky mountains that can be access by snowshoe. While the ski areas in the state provide great amenities and access to terrific inbound terrain, much of the best terrain lies outside the boundaries of the ski areas i. Put one snowshoe in front of the other the denver post. If you cant find it, just follow the road this short bit to the lake. West of boulder, the brainard lake area near ward offers excellent snowshoeing when the weather isnt too windy, including snowshoeonly trails created by the colorado mountain club. What better way to warm up and burn over 400 calories an hour than to strap on a pair of snowshoes and head for the hills. Either way, the hike through the woods to get there is quite nice.
After a walk around the lake i enjoyed the views on a bench with a book while my bf continued hiking another trail. Snowshoeing is an easy way to conquer snowdrifts and terrain than regular snow boots. Freestyle snowshoeing trailsif you have a freestyle mindset with no need for a guide, groomed trails or rental facilities, these areas offer plenty of options to create your own unique colorado snowshoeing experience. The brainard gateway trailhead parking area will be on your righthand side. The stunning backdrop of indian peaks wilderness, whose. Brainard lake recreation area colorado snowshoeing trail.
Brainard lake trails ski and snowshoe nomad colorado. The colorado mountain club assumes no liability for the safety of persons using this map. Oct 10, 2011 snowshoeing is exhaustive but not exhausting. Good beginning snowshoe trails run on the small boulder county open space park north of nederland. Brainard lake recreation area ward 2020 all you need. The snow was pretty deep in some areas, it looked like people postholed if they were just. Brainard lake area is a great place to snowshoe or cross country ski because it does not have as much. Lost lake is popular because of how close it is to denver and boulder, the area has numerous trails. Best places to snowshoe in colorado colorado skiing and.
Dec 05, 2015 snowshoeing in and around colorado springs posted by bob falcone on sat, dec 5, 2015 at 6. If the snow has been blown free in open areas, the jenny creek trail at the eldora mountain resort or lost lake trail west of nederland can be good alternatives. Situated directly on the shores of a beautiful, quiet lake that connects to the mississippi river, this wonderful 1bedroom, 1bathroom home sleeps 5 guests and is the perfect place for those looking to relax or partake in activities like crosscountry skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, hiking, boating and more. Yesterday, i went snowshoeing at brainard lake recreation area, which is about an hour west of boulder, colorado. Brainard lake recreation area is one of colorados best natural winter playgrounds. The hike to lost lake is a fun outing for any level skier or snowshoer who wants to appreciate the beauty of colorado. Colorado is famous for its deep and fluffy snow, and with great conditions december through march, its the perfect place to explore the snowy trails. Plan to spend several days exploring with surrounding wilderness while lodging in your own rustic hut. Several commercial centers and a multitude of backcountry sites give skiers and snowshoers plenty of.
Brainard lake area is a haven for cross country skiers the. Snowshoeing estes park winter fun in rocky mountain. With so much wilderness at our fingertips, colorado is the perfect place to sightsee like nobody else in the world can. When we were at bear head lake near ely one january, we hiked first along a lakeside ski trail that was so packed we didnt need snowshoes. Snowshoeing in bear head lake state park after a snowfall. Guide to snowshoeing in colorado snowshoeing in rocky mountain national park. There are a ton of trails, but some of them are designated for cross country skiers only. Taken with my garmin fenix 2 the total roundtrip should be closer to 6 miles i took a couple of detours. Brainard lake l brainard lake snowshoeing indian peaks.
Leadville and lake county have a groomed trail network that includes the mineral belt trail as well as a network at the mount massive golf course and a snowshoe trail to interlaken in twin lakes. Starting at 9100 feet, the hessie trailhead is easily accessible by both 2 and 4 wheel drive cars depending on how far you want to travel down the road. Brainard lake is a beautiful shallow lake containing cutthroat, rainbow, and brook trout. Bathrooms and water filling stations were available which was helpful. Drive on colorado 72 peak to peak highway to the turnoff to brainard lake. It was designed by jim groh, based on gps research provided by steve priem, over the 20092010 timeframe. The long lake loop, also known as the jean lunning loop, begins from the long lake trailhead in the brainard lake recreation area. Nederland, colorado closest town is ward driving directions. The views at the end of the trail at brainard lake might be amazing, or might look like the inside of a cloud. Snowshoe to jasper lake, hessie trailhead the outbound. Because the road is closed at the pay station during winter, you must park your car in the lot off to the side of the road. Snowshoeing in and around colorado springs posted by bob falcone on sat, dec 5, 2015 at 6.
From the lake, you are looking up at the continental divide, which hosts some great hikes in the summer, and some popular backcountry ski lines in the winter. Brainard lake recreation area is one of colorado s best natural winter playgrounds. A beginners guide to snowshoeing in northern colorado. Brainard lake snowshoe trail mountain bike trail, nederland. Colorado snowshoe trails todays post will provide a brief overview of some of the best snowshoeing trails in the state of colorado. Colorado is known as a winter vacation hub and a skiers paradise. Snowshoed on saturday 215, beautiful hike for snowshoeing. An excellent snowshoe adventure a reasonably short drive from denver with fantastic views culminating in a beautiful lake. There is no fee to do this hike, as the trail starts outside brainard lake recreation area. Most towns show nearby hiking, with trails that can be used for snowshoeing if its snow covered. Brainard lake snowshoe trail running trail, nederland, colorado. What you should know about where to go, where to get your gear and how to stay safe out there.
Snowshoeing in and around colorado springs hiking bob. As part of the rei coop family, were dedicated to making websites and mobile apps that help outdoor enthusiasts connect, share information and. And its pretty much true that if you can walk, you can snowshoe, so theres no learning curve to picking up this peaceful colorado winter pastime. Several commercial centers and a multitude of backcountry sites give skiers and snowshoers plenty of options to choose from. Or, if youre seeking a more challenging backcountry adventure, explore a shady canyon or embark on a heart pounding trek up a snow shrouded peak to witness spectacular winter views. So trade in your hiking boots and bring your snowshoes or rent them here when you come to colorado for your winter vacation.
Snowshoe or ski lake isabelle, isabelle glacier trail. Nov 01, 2004 get the inside scoop on equipment, clothing, technique, and winter safety issues as well as snowshoeing events, races, and even snowshoe fitness programs. To reach the trailhead from colorado highway 7, drive 10 miles south along highway 72 towards the small town of ward. Brainard lake snowshoe tracks at brainard lake james dziezynsky just an hour from boulder, brainard lake, which is part of brainard lake recreation area, is a snowshoeing paradise, with a diverse network of interconnecting trails for all levels, some built specifically for snowshoeing. A quick and dirty guide to the best boulder snowshoeing. Situated directly on the shores of a beautiful, quiet lake that connects to the mississippi river, this wonderful 1bedroom, 1bathroom home sleeps 5 guests and is the perfect place for those looking to relax or partake in activities like crosscountry skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, hiking. Snowshoeing trails are abundant across colorado, with some of the best trail systems located in our national parks and forests, 41 state parks and a network of dozens of nordic centers and ranches. Best winter hikes and snowshoes in colorado the mountainear. Most trails around colorado climb for the entire trail until you decide to come down.
Chances are, any colorado snowshoe trip worth taking long, short or in between is included in this book. If you are new to snowshoeing, be sure to check out previous snowshoe blog posts before you set out on your snowshoeing journey. Whether youre a free spirit or prefer to follow a groomed path, heres a list to get you snowshoeing in colorados great outdoors this winter. Here youll find current best sellers in books, new releases in books, deals in books, kindle ebooks, audible audiobooks, and so much more. This is a dedicated snowshoe trail open in the winter only. Camping is at a premium and you have to book in advanced or try your luck first. Hug the left south edge of the campground and youll soon find the trail again as it heads to brainard lake. As part of the rei coop family, were dedicated to making websites and mobile apps that help outdoor enthusiasts connect, share information and get out into the places they love to play. Brainard lake is located just west of the peak to peak highway just west of ward and north of nederland. There are many good reasons to go off trail, and the chance to see moose definitely is one of them.
About the author awardwinning author claire walter has written books about skiing, snowshoeing and. Spend a day snowshoeing at 10 amazing spots uncover colorado. A pleasant snowshoe through dense forest to a great view of the continental divide. The trail is just over a half mile and runs near the base of hallett peak and flattop mountain. Colorado s summer hiking trails turn into winter snowshoeing trails.
Day trips like several of my favorites in the brainard lake area outside of nederland, family excursions like cub lake in rocky mountain national park and even overnight trips involving the states various backcountry hut systems. About the author awardwinning author claire walter has written books about skiing, snowshoeing and colorados vibrant culinary scene for fulcrum. For thousands of year humans have strapped snowshoes to their feet to help move through vast alpine landscapes. Read on for the 10 best places to go snowshoeing in the centennial state. Here is a link to the colorado mountain clubs website where you can download a trail map for the area. Trails through the woods and a main snow packed road. Colorado snowshoeing snowshoe trails and rentals in co. Get the inside scoop on equipment, clothing, technique, and winter safety issues as well as snowshoeing events, races, and even snowshoe fitness programs. Its gone from a woodframed form of transportation to a full fledged winter sport.
During the winter the road through brainard lake recreation area is closed. For the truly adventurous colorado snowshoeing excursion, not to mention some of the best snowshoeing in colorado, consider a hut trip. It gets deeply into the history of the sport, the many options available for snowshoers in any kind of condition, a long section on safety, lots of tips on making emergency repairs while in the middle of nowhere, things to think about while at high altitudes or in stormy weather, what to bring. Its also the perfect way to keep hiking throughout the winter months.
Take a tranquil loop around a pristine mountain meadow. With the addition of winter clothing, a pair of snowshoes and a set of poles, you can snowshoe and hike in rocky mountain national park throughout the winter season. Colorados summer hiking trails turn into winter snowshoeing trails. The most popular trails are the crags trail, pikes peak and st. Snowshoeing is easy to learn, fun for everyone, and can be a great high energy cardio workout.
Ski tours and snowshoeing colorado wilderness rides and guides. Long lake hike the long lake loop in brainard lake. Brainard lake was a great spot for a flat hike with beautiful views. Three snowshoeing books to get you started snowshoe magazine.
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