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Isabelle Glacier Trail

Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.8 (31)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Front Range
  4. …Ward
  5. Brainard Lake Recreation Area
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“Hike to the source of South Saint Vrain Creek, Isabelle Glacier. ”

Tom Robson
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Map Key

2.1

Miles

3.3

KM

Point to Point

12,004' 3,659 m

High

10,905' 3,324 m

Low

1,129' 344 m

Up

58' 18 m

Down

11%

Avg Grade (6°)

42%

Max Grade (23°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildlife

Camping is only permissible in this zone between December 1 and April 30. From May 1 through November 30, this area is day-use only.

Description

This trail is best attempted July through September. Snow-packed conditions can exist during the remaining months of the year.

Follow the Pawnee Pass Trail #907 as it climbs gradually for two miles through wooded terrain and into the Indian Peaks Wilderness. The trail travels from Long Lake to Lake Isabelle, which sits just below the tree line.

At Lake Isabelle, follow the Isabelle Glacier Trail #908 as it forks left from the Pawnee Pass Trail. The Isabelle Glacier Trail continues along the north side of Lake Isabelle to Isabelle Glacier, the source of the South Saint Vrain Creek. The Isabelle Glacier Trail ends finally beside Isabelle Glacier in a very steep-walled cirque basin framed by Shoshone, Apache, and Navajo Peaks.

Contacts

Land Manager: USFS - Arapaho National Forests - Clear Creek Ranger District

Shared By:

Tom Robson
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.8 from 31 votes

#2

in Brainard Lake Recreation Area

#81

Overall
  4.8 from 31 votes
5 Star
77%
4 Star
23%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#2

in Brainard Lake Recreati…

#23

in Colorado

#81

Overall
22 Views Last Month
15,735 Since May 5, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
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31%
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Photos

Isabelle Lake surrounded by the Indian Peaks - stunning.
Nov 7, 2016 near Nederland, CO
Climbing boulders before climbing the peaks.
Nov 7, 2016 near Nederland, CO
Isabelle Glacier
Jul 14, 2021 near Nederland, CO
A view of beautiful Lake Isabelle
Aug 29, 2017 near Nederland, CO
Lake Isabelle
Aug 8, 2020 near Nederland, CO
Lake Isabelle lies hidden in a high, isolated bowl-shaped basin at the top of the South St. Vrain drainage in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area.
Feb 8, 2022 near Nederland, CO

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Current Trail Conditions

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Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Aug 4, 2023
Tianyi Yang
From Brainard lake it was like 11 mi out and back. First time here and it's already one of my favorite trails. Very well maintained! 11mi — 7h 07m
Sep 24, 2022
Sheri Vernier
Made it to bottom lake of glacier
Aug 27, 2022
Marc Z
Jul 11, 2022
Matt Culpepper
From Pawnee CG and back via Pawnee Pass Trl (11/1700 total) 4.2mi
Aug 21, 2021
Private User
Aug 5, 2021
Alicia Wyatt
Aug 24, 2020
Private User
Aug 16, 2020
Mike Amolsch
26K Steps, smell smoke from fires early- absolutely amazing. - 3 lakes. Beautiful views- arm still sore but made it- saw a deer- Chris twisted ankle! 9mi

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