Summer Recreation at Brainard Lake and West Magnolia To Be Delayed

It has been warmer recently along the Front Range, however, this late winter’s additional moisture increased snowpack in the high country and snow drifts are slow to melt. For visitors, this means favorite roads, trails, campgrounds, and recreation areas haven’t opened for the season due to snow, mud and downed trees.Here's an update from the Boulder Ranger District:

Brainard Lake Recreation Area:

* Crews are working hard to address hazard trees, repair damaged roads, and work around snow drifts that are still blocking vehicle access to the parking area. This work must be complete before the Brainard Lake Recreation Area gate can open. The gate will tentatively open between June 21 and June 30.

* Pawnee Campground contract work continues. The campground will open this summer, tentatively the first week in July. The renovated campground features two main loops with walk-in tent only campsites, regular tent campsites and RV sites (no hook ups). Pawnee Campground sites cannot be reserved this summer; they will be come, first served.

* There will be changes to the roads this season. The road around the sound end of the lake will be transformed to accommodate two-way traffic accessing Long and Mitchell Lake Trailheads. The road around the north end of the Brainard Lake will be foot traffic only.

* Lefthand Park Reservoir will become day use in late June, overnight camping and fires will no longer be allowed.

* Gates to Long Lake and Mitchell Lake Trailhead parking areas typically open in early July. Trail conditions will likely be snow packed and muddy through mid-July. Be prepared to walk through the mud and snow when venturing this high early in the season (skirting the path to avoid these wet areas widens and erodes the trail).

* Trails west of the Brainard Lake Recreation Area lead into the Indian Peaks Wilderness. Special regulations apply including camping restrictions, group size limits and leash regulations. Please click here for more information.

West Magnolia:

* West Magnolia is now open to vehicle access. Forest Service Road 355D, a loop accessing four campsites, will be closed for repair. These campsites and the road remain closed for the season.

* The landscape looks very different since completion of fuels treatment, so be careful to stay on designated roads and trails to keep from compacting the newly disturbed soil. Designated U.S. Forest Service non-motorized trails remain in the same location and non-system trails (social trails) will not be rehabilitated.

* Rogue trail-building without U.S. Forest Service authorization is a federal offense. According to Federal Regulations (16 USC 551; 36 CFR 261.10a) constructing, placing, or maintaining any kind of road, trail, structure, fence, enclosure, communication equipment, or other improvement on National Forest system land or facilities without special use authorization, contract, or approved operating plan is an aggravated offense. Violations could result in a mandatory court appearance and a $300.00 fine.

* Boulder District Ranger is planning to initiate scoping for an Environmental Analysis on the Magnolia trails system following NEPA regulations, which will provide opportunities for visitors and locals to give input and feedback on proposed actions. STAY TUNED for when the scoping letter goes out!

For related project details please click here.

Other Popular Camping Destinations:

Camp Dick, Peaceful Valley, Kelly Dahl, Meeker Park, Rainbow Lakes and Olive Ridge campgrounds are open. Call the Boulder Ranger District Office for the latest updates (303-541-2500).

For more information on developed campgrounds click here.

Alternative Camping Areas:

Primitive camping is allowed outside of campgrounds on most NFS lands. Private property is interspersed with National Forest, so a good map is important. The Motor Vehicle Use Map is available here. For more information on dispersed camping, please click here.


Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Exploring the Indian Peaks Wilderness

Along the southern border of Rocky Mountain National Park lies the 76,711-acre Indian Peaks Wilderness. This spectacular preserve stretches roughly 18 miles along the Continental Divide, and is roughly 15 miles at its widest point. Located primarily within the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests, the Indian Peaks Wilderness contains rugged peaks, alpine tundra, glacially-carved valleys, cirque basins, remnant glaciers, more than 50 lakes, six passes that cross the Continental Divide and seven peaks that climb above 13,000 feet. The area ranges in elevation from 8,400 feet to just over 13,500 feet, with roughly 35% of the land lying above treeline.

Many of the mountains within the wilderness, which became part of the National Wilderness Preservation System in 1978, are named after western Native American tribes, such as Apache Peak, Arikaree Peak, Kiowa Peak, Navajo Peak, Paiute Peak, Ogallala Peak, Pawnee Peak, and the highest point, North Arapaho Peak, at 13,502 feet.

The Indian Peaks are home to a wide variety of wildlife, including moose, elk, mule deer, mountain lions, black bears, bobcats, coyote, red fox, beaver, ptarmigan, marmots and pica, among others.

As you might expect the wilderness offers numerous recreational opportunities, such as hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and fishing. The lakes and streams in the Indian Peaks are inhabited by native cutthroat trout, and introduced rainbow, brook, and brown trout.

Due to its close proximity to Denver and Boulder, Indian Peaks is one of the most heavily used wilderness areas in the United States. As a result, backcountry permits are required for all overnight camping between June 1st and September 15th. Permits are also required for all organized groups for day use and camping at any time throughout the year. Additionally, campfires are prohibited on the east side of the Continental Divide, and around most lakes on the west side. You may also want to note that mountain biking is prohibited, and that dogs are allowed on trails, but must be kept on hand-held leashes at all times.

If you’re seeking solitude you may want to consider hiking and camping on weekdays, or use less popular areas. The 17,000-acre James Peak Wilderness, directly to the south of Indian Peaks, may be an option as well.


Hiking in Indian Peaks Wilderness:

Within Indian Peaks are 28 trails that travel roughly 133 miles. They visit waterfalls, alpine lakes, tarns, high elevation passes and mountain summits. The six passes that traverse the Continental Divide provide access to some of the most spectacular alpine scenery in the Rocky Mountains. The wilderness area also contains many notable mountaineering routes.

Some of the most popular hikes in the wilderness include Lake Isabelle, Pawnee Pass and Pawnee Peak from the Long Lake Trailhead, Mt. Audubon from the Mitchell Lake Trailhead, Arapaho Glacier and Lake Dorothy from the Fourth of July Trailhead, Buchanan Pass from the Beaver Creek Trailhead, and Crater Lake from the Monarch Lake Trailhead. East of the Divide, near the town of Ward, is the Brainard Lake Recreation Area. It contains a fairly large campground, and serves as a hub for many trails into the wilderness.

Please note that many trails in the wilderness can remain snow-covered through June and into July.

The following are a list of trailheads that lead into the Indian Peaks.

East of the Divide (from north to south):
* Mt. Saint Vrain Trailhead
* Middle Saint Vrain Trailhead
* Beaver Creek Trailhead
* Mitchell Lake and Long Lake Trailhead (both near Brainard Lake)
      - Pawnee Pass
      - Lake Isabelle
      - Long Lake Loop
* Rainbow Lakes Trailhead
* Fourth of July Trailhead
* Hessie Trailhead
* Rollins Pass Trailhead

West of the Divide (from north to south):
* Roaring Fork Trailhead
* Monarch Lake Trailhead
* Meadow Creek Trailhead
* Devils Thumb Park Trailhead
* Rollins Pass Trailhead


Additional Information:

* Indian Peaks Wilderness Alliance

* Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests

* Trails in Indian Peaks

* Colorado's Indian Peaks – by Gerry Roach

* Indian Peaks Trail Map – Nat Geo Trails Illustrated Map

For recorded voice information about the Indian Peaks Wilderness, please call 303-541-2519.






Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com

Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park