Indian Peaks Wilderness Loop

Lake Isabelle is the classic Indian Peaks hike: 2 miles from the Long Lake trailhead in Brainard Lake Recreation Area to a lake set under Navajo, Apache, and Shoshoni peaks, with the Jean Lunning loop around Long Lake as the easy add-on. The wildflowers in the meadows above Long Lake in July are as dense as any in the Front Range, which is why the trailhead needs a timed-entry reservation.

From the Long Lake trailhead at about 10,500 feet, the Pawnee Pass trail reaches Long Lake in a quarter mile and follows its north shore through spruce and meadow. At the far end of the lake, the Jean Lunning trail branches left to loop back along the south shore; the Pawnee Pass trail continues west, climbing gently past willow flats and the July wildflower meadows.

At about 1.8 miles the Isabelle Glacier trail leaves left, and a short climb reaches Lake Isabelle at 10,868 feet, with Navajo Peak's pyramid at the head of the valley and Isabelle Glacier above the far shore. The lake is a small reservoir that is drawn down in late summer, so it is fullest in July. The Isabelle Glacier trail continues 2 miles farther to the glacier's foot for a longer day; most people return the way they came, or take the Jean Lunning loop around Long Lake on the way out for the 4-mile version.

Brainard Lake Recreation Area is 5 miles west of Ward on Brainard Lake Road, off Colorado 72 north of Nederland. From June through October a timed-entry reservation from Recreation.gov is required to drive past the entrance station, with separate permits for the Brainard Lake lots, open from June, and the Long Lake and Mitchell Lake trailhead lots, open from July; the trailhead permits sell out first. There is also a per-vehicle fee. Without a trailhead permit, park at Brainard Lake and walk the road, about a mile each way, or start from the Brainard Gateway trailhead at the entrance, which is open year-round with no reservation and adds about 2.5 miles each way. The Long Lake lot has a toilet.

Dogs are allowed on leash in the wilderness and in the recreation area. The trail is one of the friendliest in the Indian Peaks for kids: short, gentle, and a lake with a beach. Camping is not allowed at Lake Isabelle; overnight trips in the wilderness need an $11 permit for each backcountry zone from June 1 through September 15, sold on Recreation.gov from the first Tuesday in March, and bear canisters are required. Dogs must be on a hand-held leash. Moose are common in the willows around Long Lake. The trailhead sits above 10,000 feet, so people driving up from Boulder feel it. The Indian Peaks Wilderness guide covers the other trailheads, and the Nederland hikes page has the Hessie side.