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United States

Colorado

Boulder County

Mitchell Lake – Brainard Lake loop from Brainard Lake R-2 Dam

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

United States

Colorado

Boulder County

Mitchell Lake – Brainard Lake loop from Brainard Lake R-2 Dam

Moderate

4.7

(7874)

10,325

hikers

Mitchell Lake – Brainard Lake loop from Brainard Lake R-2 Dam

03:19

12.2km

190m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: March 17, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Indian Peaks Wilderness

Roosevelt National Forest

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

1.84 km

Mitchell Lake Trailhead

Highlight • Trail

There is a sizeable parking lot here with restrooms. You can run up to Blue Lakes or Audubon and Paiute Peaks. The Blue Lake run is a great alpine trail …

Tip by

1.93 km

The trail to Mitchell Lake is relatively short and stays below treeline. You are rewarded with incredible views across the lake and to the peaks beyond. Once you pass Blue Lake the trail gets more rugged.

Tip by

3.32 km

Mitchell Lake

Highlight • Lake

Mitchell Lake is fed by Mitchell Creek and is a scenic alpine lake with views of the surrounding mountain peaks from its shores.

Tip by

3.51 km

Mitchell Lake Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

Tip by

5.96 km

Brainard Lake

Highlight • Lake

Brainard Lake is a beautiful alpine lake in the Indian Peaks Wilderness below the Continental Divide surrounded by subalpine forest. It is in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area, which during …

Tip by

9.03 km

Red Rock Lake

Highlight • Lake

If you're looking for a picturesque spot off the beaten path, you should definitely check out Red Rock Lake. At an elevation of around 10,500 feet, this hidden gem is …

Tip by

9.04 km

View of Roosevelt National Forest Lake

Highlight • Lake

12.2 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

5.68 km

3.03 km

1.43 km

1.15 km

863 m

Surfaces

6.84 km

4.22 km

663 m

311 m

108 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (3,270 m)

Lowest point (3,090 m)

Weather

Today

Wednesday 13 May

22°C

7°C

34 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 9.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

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Mitchell Lake – Brainard Lake loop from Brainard Lake R-2 Dam

Mitchell Lake Trailhead

Mitchell Lake Trail

Mitchell Lake

Mitchell Lake Trail

Brainard Lake

Red Rock Lake

View of Roosevelt National Forest Lake

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