Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest
Mitchell Lake Trail #912

Mitchell Lake Trailhead to:

• Mitchell Lake: .9 miles
• Blue Lake: 2.5 miles

Elevation:

• Mitchell Lake Trailhead: 10,500'
• Mitchell Lake: 10,700'
• Blue Lake: 11,300

Season of heaviest use: July through October (open year round)

Use: Extremely heavy

Rating: More Difficult

USGS Maps: Ward Quad

Trailhead Location: The Mitchell Lake Trailhead (Mitchell Creek Trailhead) is within the Brainard Lake Recreation Area. Turn west onto the Brainard Lake Road (County Road 102, National Froest System Road 112) off of Highway 72, 13 miles north of Nederland, just north of the town of Ward. Travel approximately five miles on the paved road to Brainard Lake. Go west past the lake and turn right onto the signed side road to the Mitchell Lake Trailhead, a half mile up, and take the next right where the road to the Long Lake Trailhead forks left. Two trails start at this trailhead. The Mitchell Lake Trail is the one to the west.

The entrance to Brainard Lake is closed two miles off of Hwy. 72 from late October through late June or early July due to snow conditions. Be careful around the Brainard Lake Recreation Area because of day use fees.

The wooded Mitchell Lake Trail enters the Indian Peaks Wilderness near the bridge across Mitchell Creek, then continues a half mile to Mitchell Lake on a good trail. It follows beside the lake, crossing a new bridge over the inlet. Another mile and a half of trail takes you up a steep slope, then along the creek in an open valley to Blue Lake, which lies at treeline below Mount Toll (elevation 12,979 feet), a cone-shaped pinnacle on the Continental Divide. When snowy, it is very easy to lose the trail - you'll want to pay very close attention.

Backcountry camping in the Indian Peaks Wilderness is by permit only. Camping along this trail is allowed only from December 1 to April 30. From April 30 to November 30, this area is for day-use only. Contact the Boulder Ranger District (303-541-2500) for information.