Lake Isabelle Trail to Waterfall - Carpool from Winter Lot

EVERYBODY WILL BE REQUIRED TO CHIP IN $CASH TO HELP WITH THE COST OF TIMED ENTRY TICKETS AND THE LARGE GROUP PERMIT (if I purchase it). See further details below.

THERE IS SOME MINIMAL BOULDERING AND ROCK SCRAMBLING REQUIRED ON THIS HIKE TO GET TO THE WATERFALL.

THIS HIKE WILL BE LIMITED TO 7 PEOPLE AS INDIAN PEAKS WILDERNESS REQUIRES A LARGE GROUP PERMIT FOR GROUPS OF 8-12 PEOPLE. If we have enough people for the large group permit as we near the date and if a permit is still available, I will purchase it.

Hikes are always subject to date/time change or cancellation due to weather, trail conditions or closures, or other unforeseen circumstances.

Difficulty: about 8 to 9 miles with about 1,100 feet elevation gain. Max elevation is about 11,300 feet.

HIKE DESCRIPTION: Let’s hike to one of my favorite alpine lakes. The view of sparkling Lake Isabelle framed by jagged granite peaks is the kind of picture-perfect scene that nature lovers pine for. After we get to the lake, we will hike around the lake a bit, then head up to the waterfall where there is some bouldering and then a short rock scramble up to the top of the waterfall. See the following hike in alltrails, except we will start the hike from the Niwot Trailhead and we will only go to the top of the waterfall, not all the way to the glacier: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/isabelle-glacier-trail-full-loop

DOGS: NO dogs on this hike please.

TIMED ENTRY TICKETS: Brainard Lake Rec. Area has a timed-entry pass system this year again. Each vehicle needs a timed entry ticket to enter the park. When the purchase date opens, I will coordinate the timed entry purchase with the group, as only 1 ticket per person is allowed. So I will need volunteers to purchase additional tickets. If you have the American the Beautiful Pass, the entry ticket if free, except for the $2 processing fee.

ADDRESS/DIRECTIONS: We will carpool into the park. So everybody must 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. We will carpool from the Winter Lot to the Niwot Trailhead which is where we will start the hike. To get to the Winter Lot for carpooling, you can do one of the following:

1. Use the following alltrails link and click directions https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/lake-isabelle-trail-winter. Do NOT click the alltrails link above in the Hike Description above, as it will take you to a different location.
2. 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.

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?lat=40.06893000000008&lon=-105.61930999999998#.ZBemBi9MFvI

REQUIRED WAIVER: If you have not already done so, you must sign the updated waiver with our new meetup name 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.