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Hiking Lake Isabelle, Colorado – Trail Map, Pictures, Description & More

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Article Categories: Hiking
Article Tags: Camping | Colorado | Day Hikes

Lake Isabelle is a stunning Colorado subalpine lake located in the Indian Peaks Wilderness. Hikers begin at the Brainard Lake Recreation Area (directions, parking, and permit information below), where there are dozens of fantastic day hike options for all ability levels. Here, we will cover everything you need to know to hike to Lake Isabelle as well as the stunning Long Lake

Distance – 4.46 miles round trip (7.18 km)
Height – 10,919 feet (3328.11 m)
Elevation gain – 751 feet (228.91 meters)
Duration –  3-4 hours
Difficulty – Easy / Intermediate
Class: Class 2 Hike
Trailhead Location – Long Lake Trailhead (10,548 feet)

 

Quick Navigation:
Routes | Trail Map | Camping Info | Weather | Directions | Pictures

 

Need To Know Information

    • The Brainard Lake Area now operates with a permit system. Overnight and day parking is available. The ideal parking lot is the long lake trailhead, but if this is full, hikers can choose other options that will add a bit of distance to the hike along the roads or along the trails. Permits are purchased here: https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10087515. If the only available parking is at the Brainard Lake Picnic Site/Trailhead, then hikers will need to add 1 mile each way, and about 200 feet of elevation gain to their hike totals.
    • Prices: 1 day car = $12
    • Timed tickets will be continually released on a 14-day rolling window. You must arrive on the entry date, at the entry time, and park in the parking lot indicated on your timed ticket.
    • Winter season has parking lot closures, which would mean hikers need to park at the Brainard Lake Area Winter Trailhead. (More information below)
    • Dogs are allowed on leash.

 

Hiking Route Options

There is only one common route to Lake Isabelle by leaving from the Long Lake Trailhead. Due to reservations and winter, hikers may need to start from another trailhead and hike along the roads, or on the trails to the Long Lake Trailhead.

 

Long Lake Trailhead | 4.46 Miles Round Trip (7.18 km) – 751 Feet Elevation Gain (228.91 meters) | Class 2

Hikers begin at the Long Lake Trailhead along a well traveled and well marked trail. The hike is a gradual incline and only 0.25 miles before reaching Long Lake. At Long Lake, the views are stunning, the river contains fish, and hikers have the option to cross the river to do a loop around the south side of Long Lake if they choose. The most direct route is to stay on the trail to the north side of Long Lake.

Along Long Lake, there are tons of great areas to snack, fish, or enjoy the views. Hiking remains relatively level until about 1.7 miles into the hike where the trail begins to steepend while it ascends to Lake Isabelle. Hikers will reach views of Lake Isabelle just about at the same point where they see the junction to Pawnee Pass. From here, hikers can continue past the lake, or just enjoy a particular spot on the side of the lake. Hikers simply retrace steps to head back to the trailhead.

 

Hiking Lake Isabelle In Winter

This hike is accessible in winter, but traction should be brought due to icy conditions. It should also be noted that in winter, the road to Brainard Lake closes, which means that hikers need to park at the Brainard Lake Winter Trailhead. It is 2.2 miles from the winter trailhead to Brainard Lake, and 3.05 miles to the Long Lake Trailhead. Hikers need to be prepared to add 6 miles and 600 feet of elevation gain round trip to their hike in winter months when the road to Brainard Lake is closed.

Trail Map

Lake Isabelle, Colorado Trail Map

Lake Isabelle, Colorado Elevation Profile

 

Camping For Lake Isabelle

Brainard Lake Recreation Area has a few campgrounds to choose from. Campsites need to be reserved here: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232282.

Additional information can be found here.

 

Fishing Lake Isabelle & Long Lake

Catch and release fishing is allowed on these lakes and the streams between the lakes. The fishing is quite good, and this is a great areas to hike and bring your fishing rod with you.

 

Current Weather Conditions:

Here is the detailed weather forecast for the next few days. We highly recommend you check out the mountain forecast for this area the morning of your hike.

 

Ward, CO

Today
Patchy blowing snow. Mostly sunny, with a high near 27. Wind chill values as low as -6. West wind around 26 mph, with gusts as high as 46 mph.

Tonight
Patchy blowing snow and a slight chance of snow showers before 9pm, then a chance of snow showers and patchy blowing snow between 9pm and 10pm, then areas of blowing snow and a chance of snow showers between 10pm and midnight, then snow showers likely and areas of blowing snow. Mostly cloudy. Low around 18, with temperatures rising to around 20 overnight. West wind 21 to 26 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Friday
Snow showers likely before noon, then snow showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Cloudy. High near 27, with temperatures falling to around 23 in the afternoon. West southwest wind 13 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Friday Night
Snow showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 17. West southwest wind 9 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Saturday
Snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 31. West southwest wind 16 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

Saturday Night
A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Sunday
Snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 31. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

 

Directions & Parking

When reservations are required to enter Brainard Lake,

 

Directions to Long Lake Trailhead:

 

Additional Pictures

Lake Isabelle

 

Views from Brainard Lake

Views from Brainard Lake

 

Views from the bridge before Long Lake

Views from the bridge before Long Lake

 

Views as hikers are just reaching Lake Isabelle

Views as hikers are just reaching Lake Isabelle

 

Lake Isabelle Views

Lake Isabelle Views

Max DesMarais

Max DesMarais

Max DesMarais is the founder of hikingandfishing.com. He has a passion for the outdoors and making outdoor education and adventure more accessible. Max is a published author for various outdoor adventure, travel, and marketing websites. He is an experienced hiker, backpacker, fly fisherman, trail runner, and spends his free time in the outdoors. These adventures allow him to test gear, learn new skills, and experience new places so that he can educate others. Max grew up hiking all around New Hampshire and New England. He became obsessed with the New Hampshire mountains, and the NH 48, where he guided hikes and trail runs in the White Mountains. Since moving out west, Max has continued his frequent adventures in the mountains, always testing gear, learning skills, gaining experience, and building his endurance for outdoor sports. You can read more about his experience here: hikingandfishing/about

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