Indian Peaks Wilderness: Lake Isabelle Hike

Queen's Crown, Parry's Gentian, American Bisort, Rosey Paintbrush, Elephant's Head. To some unfamiliar with these names, it may sound like I am referencing famous pieces of artwork. But not the French artist Paul Cézanne pieces and no not Vincent Van Gough's lesser known work. I am talking about nature's artwork in the form of wildflowers. If you are a fan of immaculate landscape views of mountain ranges, coniferous forests and wildflowers of every color embedded in the fields along the way, then you're in for a golden standard hike. Did I mention there's lakes and wildlife too? 

Designated in 1972, the Indian Peaks Wilderness encompasses more than 76,000 acres. It includes many lakes and mountain peaks, one of which I'll introduce you to today. Lake Isabelle. This 7 mile hike will bring you past Long Lake to Lake Isabelle which is fed from the Navajo Glacier. The land is framed by Niwot Ridge in which you'll see from a distance the 13,409-foot Navajo Peak,13,441-foot Apache Peak and 12,967-foot Shoshoni Peak. 

There are several options for parking, and some may add distance to your hike if you choose to do so. The closest lot to the trail is Long Lake's Parking Lot (waypoint here). This will have you start on the Pawnee-Pass Trial 907 in which you will pass the North side of Long Lake, continuing straight at each turnoff until you approach the Pawnee-Pass/Isabelle Glacier junction. Then you will veer left to lake Isabelle. You have the option to do this as an Out & Back, or loop around the south side of Long Lake taking a right on the Jean-Lunning Trail on the way back to the parking lot.  

Seen on the Bridge  along the Pawnee Pass Trail 

The second closest parking area is sandwiched between Brainard Lake and Pawnee Campground on the Brainard Lake Loop Road (waypoint here). From here you'll start on Brainard Lake Road, and cut over on the south side of Brainard lake to Niwot Cutoff Trail (start here) which will take you about 0.2 miles to the Jean-Lunning Trail. In this case you have an option to go right or left on the Jean-Lunning trail. Right will take you to the North side of Long Lake and you can continue straight to Lake Isabelle. Left will take you on the South side of Long Lake where you will bend around the lake and then take a left to go west on the Pawnee-Pass Trail. Once again cutting left at the fork labeled  Pawnee-Pass/Isabelle Glacier junction to get to Lake Isabelle.

A third option will end up being about a 10-11 mile hike starting at Brainard Lake's Winter Parking Lot. You can park here and walk the road of Brainard Lake to the trailhead of Pawnee Pass or follow the Waldrop Trail that parallels the road (just note you will eventually have to turn left to pop out back onto the road). (waypoint here).

Parking Info: 

If you do not chose to go in the over-flow/ winter parking lot at Brainard lake, you will need to drive past a gate with an entrance fee since you will be parking within Brainard Lake Recreation Area. The fee is $12 during the summer months. The trails are dog friendly and great for families. 

*A Note on Wildlife: Along this trail is wildly used and popular for recreation. This is in the Wilderness, so yes you may see wildlife. In fact my first visit there I saw two moose hanging out in the middle of the trail. If you come across large mammals stay calm and keep your distance. As always be smart; Do not use any form of lighters, matches, or anything deemed as a potential for creating wildfires.

Trail Location: Long Lake Trailhead (Brainard Lake Area)

Roundtrip Length: 4.4 Miles

Trailhead Elevation: 10,505 Feet

Total Elevation Gain: 684 Feet

Highest Elevation: 10,908 Feet

Parking Lot Latitude 40.07781

Parking Lot Longitude -105.58456