Blue Lake

Summary

A fairly easy out-and-back hike, 3 miles one way.

Blue lake is spectacular. There are many small lakes along the way in addition to Mitchell and Blue lakes, and a large variety of wildflowers. Starting elevaton is about 10500 feet, and Blue Lake elevation is about 11300 feet.

The trailhead is near Brainard Lake in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, just west of Ward and about 10 miles north of Nederland.

Getting There

There are several places in Colorado named Blue Lake(s). This is the one in the Indian Peaks Wilderness.

From Denver, go to Nederland, which is west of Boulder. There are a couple of possible ways to get there. Then drive north about 10 miles on C72 to Ward. You can also come into Ward from the east (Lefthand Canyon Road), or from the north (Allenspark and Estes Park). From Ward, go north on C72 just a few feet, and turn west into the Brainard Lake recreation area. Proceed past Brainard Lake to the Mitchell Lake trailhead.

During the summer, there is a $7.00 fee to enter the area. The road is closed in winter, but you can enter for free. This is a popular cross-country skiing area.

There is ample parking at the trailhead and a restroom.

Maps: Trails Illustrated #102 or DeLorme page 29.

The Hike

From the trailhead, Mitchell Lake is a very easy 1 mile hike, and the trail to Blue Lake is somewhat steeper and 2 miles beyond Mitchell.

The Blue Lake and Mitchell Lake trailhead.

The trail to Mitchell Lake is easy, with only a little elevation gain. It heads steadily west through coniferous forest, with several small meadows of grasses and wildflowers. At one point, it crosses the stream on a bridge.

The trail to Mitchell Lake through the forest.

There are several marshy meadows around Mitchell lake with an abundance of wildflowers. In mid or late July, there are more Little Pink Elephants than I've seen anywhere else in Colorado.

A marshy meadow.

Little Pink Elephants.

Mitchell Lake sits at about 10700 feet, against the foot of Mt. Audubon, which is 13223 feet high. The trail passes along the south shore, and there are many marshy wildflower meadows.

Mitchell Lake and Mt. Audubon.

Near Mitchell Lake, the trail crosses the stream again, this time on a long set of double logs.

The trail begins to climb above Mitchell Lake. It's not steep, and remains fairly easy all the way. You'll notice that Mt. Audubon, which appeared to rise up just at the end of Mitchell Lake, is actually farther west. The trail parallels the south flank of the mountain, which is a huge jumble of broken rock, and finally passes the peak.

The trail gains elevation above Mitchell Lake. There is still snow on this hot day at the end of July as we approach timber line.

There are several other small lakes along the trail between Mitchell Lake and Blue Lake. This set of three in a row is interesting.

The trail near Blue Lake, with a rocky knoll in the foreground and Mt. Toll in the background at the left. The flank of Mt. Audubon is at the right.

Blue Lake is at about 11300 feet of elevation. As you come over the last rise and reach Blue Lake, you will hear the waterfall across the lake. It doesn't look very big, but it's much bigger than it appears from this vantage point, and it makes quite a bit of noise.

Mount Toll, the pyrimidal peak across Blue Lake, is on the Continental Divide, and reaches an altitude of 12979 feet. To the southwest is Pawnee Peak, 12943 feet, and to the northwest is Paiute Peak, 13088 feet. South of the lake is Little Pawnee Peak, 12466 feet, and Mount Audubon rises to the north at 13223 feet.

Blue Lake lives up to its name. It is distinctly blue, and I've heard that when the waterfall freezes it has a typical glacial blue color. Watch for wildlife such as marmots around the lake.

Blue Lake with Mt. Toll in the background. The waterfall on the other side (just right of center) is tiny in this image.

Closeup of the waterfall from directly across the lake.

The path continues around the edge of the lake on the north side. As you approach the waterfall, you realize it is larger than it first appears. The slopes around the lake are carpeted with wildflowers.

Wildflowers along the edge of the lake.

Approaching the waterfall on the path along the north shore.

The rocks on the west side of the lake are sheer vertical cliffs, and quite tall. A plunge from here into the water would be very dangerous, because you would have to swim a long way in the icy water to find a way out.

The cliffs.

The west wall of the lake.

The water cascades over the edge of this wall, falling 30 or 40 feet to the lake below. When you realize how big this waterfall is, you begin to understand why it is so loud, even from the far side of the lake.

The waterfall is much bigger than it first appears. Notice the young lady at the upper right to get an idea of the scale.

There is a large open area just west of the lake to explore. Another waterfall above this area feeds the main waterfall at the lake.

The upper waterfall above the main one.

The map shows at least two small lakes above Blue Lake, but I belive the official trail ends here. I didn't try to explore further. It was late in the day, so I headed back down to catch the sunset at Red Rock Lake.

On the way into or out of the area, be sure to see Red Rock Lake. It's on the south side of the road, a short distance inside the wilderness from the entrance station.

The lake is shallow, and is about half covered with lily pads. From the east end, you can look west to the Indian Peaks range, and if the lake is calm the reflections are beautiful. Sunrise and sunset can be spectacular. But if the wind is blowing, it can be miserable. The first two times I visited, the winds were averaging about 50 miles per hour, but like they say, the third time's a charm.

Red Rock Lake at sunset on a calm evening.