Blue Lake from Winter Lot - Brainard Rec Area

The gate is closed so all hikes are now from the winter lot. This adds some mileage, but still a beautiful hike to the lake.

FEE: There is now a $10 fee to park at the Brainard Winter Lot aka Brainard Gateway Trailhead. 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, 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

We hike as a group and hike at an average moving pace of about 2.5mph (slower up…faster down). Everyone is expected to wait at all intersections, stream crossings & periodically otherwise so that no one is left behind or hiking on their own for safety purposes.

Difficulty: about 11-12 miles with about 1,500 to 1,600 feet elevation gain.

HIKE DESCRIPTION: This awesome hike and will take us through some of the best alpine meadows in the region…on our hike to beautiful Blue Lake with Mount Toll sitting in the background. See the following hike in alltrails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/blue-lake-from-brainard-trailhead

DOGS: NO dogs on this hike please.

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.

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=40.0879&lon=-105.5965

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.