Lake Isabelle - from Winter Lot - Parking Fee may be Required

Be prepared for any conditions on this hike. As of now, there aren’t many reviews of trail conditions approaching Lake Isabelle. But let’s give her a go. Down lower should be fine, but beyond Long Lake, expect potential snow, slush, mud, slop, and possible slippery conditions. WEAR YOUR WATERPROOF BOOTS!

Per recreation.gov, timed entry starts June 12 this year, so I don’t think the gate beyond the Winter Lot into the park will be open until June 12 and we will therefore need to hike the road into the park.

**PARKING FEE: There is a $10 fee to park at the Brainard Winter Lot aka Brainard Gateway Trailhead during the winter months. Per their website, the fee goes through mid June. So we may or may not need to pay the fee…but be prepared to pay. If you have the America the Beautiful Pass, there is no fee but you must display the pass on your dashboard or hang it from your rear view mirror. If you need to pay the $10 fee, you must use the Scan & Pay System and they recommend that you DOWNLOAD THE APP PRIOR TO ARRIVAL. See details here: https://www.recreation.gov/activitypass/AP22912**

DIFFICULTY: about 12 miles with 1,000+ feet elevation gain. Elevation at Lake Isabelle is about 10,900 feet.

**HIKE DESCRIPTION: Let’s hike to one of my favorite alpine lakes. The view of Lake Isabelle framed by jagged granite peaks is the kind of picture-perfect scene that nature lovers pine for. We will start at the Winter Lot and hike the closed road to Brainard Lake. From there, we will either take the Niwot Cutoff Trail to Long Lake or we will continue up the road to the Long Lake Trailhead and get to Long Lake from there…just depends on trail/snow conditions. From Long Lake, we will continue on to Lake Isabelle. See the following hike in alltrails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/lake-isabelle-trail-winter**

DOGS: NO dogs! Brainard does not allow dogs on most of the trails in winter.

ADDRESS/DIRECTIONS: We will meet at the Winter Lot (aka Gateway Trailhead Parking Lot) which is the parking area on your right, right before the entry station to the park. To get to the Winter Lot, you can click on the alltrails link above and click directions. Or if you use Google maps, you can type in “Brainard Lake Winter Lot” for directions.

We wait 5 minutes for late arrivals…but no longer as that is inconsiderate to those arriving timely. So please allow extra time to get to the trailhead and to pay the fee.

IMPORTANT: This is a participate at your own risk event! Life is risky. I am not a professional guide and am simply hosting this event. By signing up for this hike you acknowledge that you are capable of performing this hike and that you are solely responsible for your own safety.

NO SHOWS: If you are a no-show to 2 hikes, you will be booted from this meetup group. So please change your RSVP to “not going” if you are unable to make it.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING: Water, snacks, layers of clothing, good hiking shoes/boots, sunscreen, bug repellant, sunglasses, hat, gloves, hiking poles (if you find them helpful), and anything else you deem essential.

**WEATHER: Here is the NOAA forecast for the hike location. For hourly temps, wind, precipitation, etc., click “Hourly Weather Forecast” in the upper right. https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-105.59426834971606&lat=40.069561137945556**

**REQUIRED WAIVER: If you have not already done so, you must sign the waiver prior to this hike. I will have copies at the trailhead that you can sign or you may print, sign, and bring it with you from the following website: https://www.dropbox.com/s/p728z28jjuwdzws/Waiver%20Corona.pdf?dl=0**
If you choose to sign at the trailhead, please arrive early so that we can depart for the hike timely.