Camping is at a premium and you have to book in advanced or try your luck first. Either way, the hike through the woods to get there is quite nice. For the truly adventurous colorado snowshoeing excursion, not to mention some of the best snowshoeing in colorado, consider a hut trip. Brainard lake snowshoe tracks at brainard lake james dziezynsky just an hour from boulder, brainard lake, which is part of brainard lake recreation area, is a snowshoeing paradise, with a diverse network of interconnecting trails for all levels, some built specifically for snowshoeing.
Colorado is known as a winter vacation hub and a skiers paradise. Snowshoeing trails are abundant across colorado, with some of the best trail systems located in our national parks and forests, 41 state parks and a network of dozens of nordic centers and ranches. Take a tranquil loop around a pristine mountain meadow. Here youll find current best sellers in books, new releases in books, deals in books, kindle ebooks, audible audiobooks, and so much more. It was designed by jim groh, based on gps research provided by steve priem, over the 20092010 timeframe. Colorado s summer hiking trails turn into winter snowshoeing trails. The colorado mountain club assumes no liability for the safety of persons using this map. The books homepage helps you explore earths biggest bookstore without ever leaving the comfort of your couch.
Guide to snowshoeing in colorado snowshoeing in rocky mountain national park. When we were at bear head lake near ely one january, we hiked first along a lakeside ski trail that was so packed we didnt need snowshoes. Colorado snowshoeing snowshoe trails and rentals in co. Snowshoeing in and around colorado springs posted by bob falcone on sat, dec 5, 2015 at 6. Or, if youre seeking a more challenging backcountry adventure, explore a shady canyon or embark on a heart pounding trek up a snow shrouded peak to witness spectacular winter views.
Snowshoeing in bear head lake state park after a snowfall. About the author awardwinning author claire walter has written books about skiing, snowshoeing and colorados vibrant culinary scene for fulcrum. The trail is just over a half mile and runs near the base of hallett peak and flattop mountain. Colorado is famous for its deep and fluffy snow, and with great conditions december through march, its the perfect place to explore the snowy trails. So trade in your hiking boots and bring your snowshoes or rent them here when you come to colorado for your winter vacation. Snowshoe to jasper lake, hessie trailhead the outbound.
Drive on colorado 72 peak to peak highway to the turnoff to brainard lake. Hug the left south edge of the campground and youll soon find the trail again as it heads to brainard lake. Some information i have indicates brainard lake also contains brown trout, if you can confirm this please contact me. What you should know about where to go, where to get your gear and how to stay safe out there. Situated directly on the shores of a beautiful, quiet lake that connects to the mississippi river, this wonderful 1bedroom, 1bathroom home sleeps 5 guests and is the perfect place for those looking to relax or partake in activities like crosscountry skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, hiking. Brainard lake area is a haven for cross country skiers the. The views at the end of the trail at brainard lake might be amazing, or might look like the inside of a cloud. Dec 05, 2015 snowshoeing in and around colorado springs posted by bob falcone on sat, dec 5, 2015 at 6. Long lake hike the long lake loop in brainard lake. As part of the rei coop family, were dedicated to making websites and mobile apps that help outdoor enthusiasts connect, share information and. West of boulder, the brainard lake area near ward offers excellent snowshoeing when the weather isnt too windy, including snowshoeonly trails created by the colorado mountain club. If you are new to snowshoeing, be sure to check out previous snowshoe blog posts before you set out on your snowshoeing journey.
Several commercial centers and a multitude of backcountry sites give skiers and snowshoers plenty of. Bathrooms and water filling stations were available which was helpful. Read on for the 10 best places to go snowshoeing in the centennial state. Put one snowshoe in front of the other the denver post. This is a dedicated snowshoe trail open in the winter only. Leadville and lake county have a groomed trail network that includes the mineral belt trail as well as a network at the mount massive golf course and a snowshoe trail to interlaken in twin lakes. Brainard lake l brainard lake snowshoeing indian peaks. Jul 10, 2016 brainard lake snowshoe tracks at brainard lake james dziezynsky just an hour from boulder, brainard lake, which is part of brainard lake recreation area, is a snowshoeing paradise, with a diverse network of interconnecting trails for all levels, some built specifically for snowshoeing. Brainard lake was a great spot for a flat hike with beautiful views. Snowshoeing in and around colorado springs hiking bob. Brainard lake recreation area is located just west of ward, colorado. Chances are, any colorado snowshoe trip worth taking long, short or in between is included in this book. The snow was pretty deep in some areas, it looked like people postholed if they were just. Brainard lake recreation area ward 2020 all you need.
Colorado snowshoe trails todays post will provide a brief overview of some of the best snowshoeing trails in the state of colorado. Brainard lake snowshoe trail mountain bike trail, nederland. Ski tours and snowshoeing colorado wilderness rides and guides. Its also the perfect way to keep hiking throughout the winter months. Trails through the woods and a main snow packed road.
A quick and dirty guide to the best boulder snowshoeing. Day trips like several of my favorites in the brainard lake area outside of nederland, family excursions like cub lake in rocky mountain national park and even overnight trips involving the states various backcountry hut systems. The most popular trails are the crags trail, pikes peak and st. Three snowshoeing books to get you started snowshoe magazine. Most towns show nearby hiking, with trails that can be used for snowshoeing if its snow covered. Brainard lake recreation area is one of colorados best natural winter playgrounds. There is no fee to do this hike, as the trail starts outside brainard lake recreation area. Freestyle snowshoeing trailsif you have a freestyle mindset with no need for a guide, groomed trails or rental facilities, these areas offer plenty of options to create your own unique colorado snowshoeing experience. Brainard lake snowshoe trail running trail, nederland, colorado. Nov 01, 2004 get the inside scoop on equipment, clothing, technique, and winter safety issues as well as snowshoeing events, races, and even snowshoe fitness programs. Brainard lake recreation area colorado snowshoeing trail. Brainard lake trails ski and snowshoe nomad colorado.
Best places to snowshoe in colorado colorado skiing and. During the winter the road through brainard lake recreation area is closed. Get the inside scoop on equipment, clothing, technique, and winter safety issues as well as snowshoeing events, races, and even snowshoe fitness programs. If you cant find it, just follow the road this short bit to the lake. Snowshoeing estes park winter fun in rocky mountain. Colorado has backcountry huts located throughout the rocky mountains that can be access by snowshoe. For thousands of year humans have strapped snowshoes to their feet to help move through vast alpine landscapes. Best trails in brainard lake recreation area colorado. Nederland, colorado closest town is ward driving directions. With the addition of winter clothing, a pair of snowshoes and a set of poles, you can snowshoe and hike in rocky mountain national park throughout the winter season. The hike to lost lake is a fun outing for any level skier or snowshoer who wants to appreciate the beauty of colorado. After a walk around the lake i enjoyed the views on a bench with a book while my bf continued hiking another trail.
Here is a link to the colorado mountain clubs website where you can download a trail map for the area. Several commercial centers and a multitude of backcountry sites give skiers and snowshoers plenty of options to choose from. Because the road is closed at the pay station during winter, you must park your car in the lot off to the side of the road. As part of the rei coop family, were dedicated to making websites and mobile apps that help outdoor enthusiasts connect, share information and get out into the places they love to play. Plan to spend several days exploring with surrounding wilderness while lodging in your own rustic hut. The brainard gateway trailhead parking area will be on your righthand side. Brainard lake is a beautiful shallow lake containing cutthroat, rainbow, and brook trout. There are many good reasons to go off trail, and the chance to see moose definitely is one of them. Best winter hikes and snowshoes in colorado the mountainear. Snowshoe or ski lake isabelle, isabelle glacier trail. To reach the trailhead from colorado highway 7, drive 10 miles south along highway 72 towards the small town of ward.
Snowshoeing is easy to learn, fun for everyone, and can be a great high energy cardio workout. About the author awardwinning author claire walter has written books about skiing, snowshoeing and. What better way to warm up and burn over 400 calories an hour than to strap on a pair of snowshoes and head for the hills. Taken with my garmin fenix 2 the total roundtrip should be closer to 6 miles i took a couple of detours. Lost lake is popular because of how close it is to denver and boulder, the area has numerous trails. About an hours drive from boulder, the namesake lake sits at 10,000 ft. A beginners guide to snowshoeing in northern colorado.
While the ski areas in the state provide great amenities and access to terrific inbound terrain, much of the best terrain lies outside the boundaries of the ski areas i. Snowshoed on saturday 215, beautiful hike for snowshoeing. An excellent snowshoe adventure a reasonably short drive from denver with fantastic views culminating in a beautiful lake. If the snow has been blown free in open areas, the jenny creek trail at the eldora mountain resort or lost lake trail west of nederland can be good alternatives. Brainard lake snowshoe trail hiking trail, nederland, colorado. From colorado highway 72 just north of ward, turn west onto the brainard lake road.
The stunning backdrop of indian peaks wilderness, whose. Brainard lake area is a great place to snowshoe or cross country ski because it does not have as much. We had 2 kids with that had a great time running down the path and hoping over the creek. Brainard lake snowshoeing, hiking, camping ward, colorado. Good beginning snowshoe trails run on the small boulder county open space park north of nederland. Starting at 9100 feet, the hessie trailhead is easily accessible by both 2 and 4 wheel drive cars depending on how far you want to travel down the road. Whether youre a free spirit or prefer to follow a groomed path, heres a list to get you snowshoeing in colorados great outdoors this winter. The long lake loop, also known as the jean lunning loop, begins from the long lake trailhead in the brainard lake recreation area. Brainard lake is located just west of the peak to peak highway just west of ward and north of nederland. There are a ton of trails, but some of them are designated for cross country skiers only.
Jan 10, 2020 whether youre a free spirit or prefer to follow a groomed path, heres a list to get you snowshoeing in colorados great outdoors this winter. Snowshoeing is an easy way to conquer snowdrifts and terrain than regular snow boots. It gets deeply into the history of the sport, the many options available for snowshoers in any kind of condition, a long section on safety, lots of tips on making emergency repairs while in the middle of nowhere, things to think about while at high altitudes or in stormy weather, what to bring. Most trails around colorado climb for the entire trail until you decide to come down. Yesterday, i went snowshoeing at brainard lake recreation area, which is about an hour west of boulder, colorado. From the lake, you are looking up at the continental divide, which hosts some great hikes in the summer, and some popular backcountry ski lines in the winter. Its gone from a woodframed form of transportation to a full fledged winter sport. Situated directly on the shores of a beautiful, quiet lake that connects to the mississippi river, this wonderful 1bedroom, 1bathroom home sleeps 5 guests and is the perfect place for those looking to relax or partake in activities like crosscountry skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, hiking, boating and more. With so much wilderness at our fingertips, colorado is the perfect place to sightsee like nobody else in the world can. Oct 10, 2011 snowshoeing is exhaustive but not exhausting. Colorados summer hiking trails turn into winter snowshoeing trails. The brainard lake recreational area near ward, colorado, is a very popular destination for outdoorsmen and women of all types. A pleasant snowshoe through dense forest to a great view of the continental divide.
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