Snowshoeing for beginers-kid friendly

Updated Information:

We have decided to snowshoe at Brainard Lake. This is a great hike for those who want to take a slow easy snowshoe trip. This is not a race or meant to be a "workout". We intend to take lots of pictures and go at a leisurely pace.

Some of the trails are fairly level and loop from Red Rock Lake (near the entrance gate) to Brainard Lake and back i.e. the CMC South and Snowshoe Trails. It is about 2 miles to Brainard Lake from the entrance so plan on about 4 miles of snowshoeing.

Dress warmly and in layers and be prepared for cold weather - Brainard Lake is over 10,000 feet in elevation. Bring adequate food and water.

We will meet at the park-n-Ride on Table Mesa Drive just off of Hwy 36 near Boulder at 10 AM. We will wait 15 minutes then head straight to Brainard Lake trailhead at 10:15 AM. It will take about an hour to drive to the trailhead from the PnR.

Directions From the park-n-Ride: Go North on Foothills Parkway/CO-157 for 4 1/2 miles. Take exit for Hwy 119 South/Diagonal Hwy. Go about 1 mile then turn right onto Hwy 36 North. Go about 2 miles then turn Left onto Lee Hill Drive. Continue on Lee Hill Drive for about 5 1/2 miles then turn Left onto Lefthand Canyon Drive. Go about 9 miles then turn Right onto Indian Gulch Rd/Utica Rd. Continue on Indian Gulch/Utica Rd until Hwy 72. Turn Right onto Hwy 72 go about 500 feet then turn Left onto America Street/Brainard Lake Rd. Continue west until you get to the entrance to Brainard Lake Recreation Area.

There is NO fee for parking at Brainard Lake Recreation Area in winter (there is in summer). Park in the lot before the seasonal gate for winter recreation. There are toilet facilities available near the parking lot and trailhead.