Hiking Project Logo
Climb
MTB
Hike
Trailrun
Ski
Limited Time70% OffonX Backcountry

Mitchell Lake Trail Out and Back

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate Intermediate
 4.6 (74)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Front Range
  4. …Ward
  5. Brainard Lake Recreation Area
Explore in 3D
Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Previous Next

“An easily accessible, high alpine lake trail surrounded by stunning aspens. ”

Tom Robson
Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Google Map
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

5.4

Miles

8.7

KM

Out and Back

11,387' 3,471 m

High

10,524' 3,208 m

Low

864' 263 m

Up

863' 263 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (3°)

15%

Max Grade (9°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildlife

Campfires are not allowed. 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.

Overview

This high alpine hike is readily accessible from the Brainard Lake Recreation Area, and thus is one of the most popular routes in the area.

Need to Know

The Brainard Lake Road is open seasonally. During these months, a vehicle fee applies for trailheads located within the Brainard Lake Recreation Area.

Description

The wooded Mitchell Lake Trail to Blue Lake enters the Indian Peaks Wilderness near the bridge across Mitchell Creek. It continues on a good trail for 0.5 miles to Mitchell Lake and crosses a bridge over the inlet.

Another 1.5 miles of trail takes you up a slope, then along the creek in an open valley to Blue Lake. This lake lies at tree line 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 and close attention is necessary.

Flora & Fauna

Be on the lookout for pika, marmot, and moose!

Contacts

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

Shared By:

Tom Robson with improvements by Sarah Doherty
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.6 from 74 votes

#2

in Brainard Lake Recreation Area

#81

Overall
  4.6 from 74 votes
5 Star
69%
4 Star
27%
3 Star
4%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#2

in Brainard Lake Recreati…

#25

in Colorado

#81

Overall
17 Views Last Month
28,020 Since Apr 26, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate
1%
4%
79%
7%
8%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

Early morning along the trail
Sep 6, 2018 near Nederland, CO
The view from Beaver Creek Trail.
Apr 26, 2015 near Nederland, CO
Blue Lake
Aug 3, 2017 near Nederland, CO
Blue Lake with Mt Toll
Jan 27, 2018 near Nederland, CO
You can follow the trail around the north side of the lake and break free of the crowds
Oct 23, 2016 near Nederland, CO
View of Mitchell Lake early morning
Sep 6, 2018 near Nederland, CO

2 Comments

Sort by: Oldest Drop down
Newest Oldest Popular
loading

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Sep 3, 2023
Amber Jeffers
Sep 2, 2023
David Brown
Have to agree with Sarah on this one. Great trail, great views, lots of moose, and a Pine Marten, but no aspens….Tom's description seems misplaced. 5.6mi — 3h 00m
Aug 21, 2023
Ad Benz
We did it in 08/20 with Donna
Aug 6, 2023
Sam W
5.6mi
Aug 6, 2023
Jeff S
3 moose — 3h 10m
Jul 22, 2023
Private User
Jul 8, 2023
Jay Shrestha
Aug 27, 2022
Annie Swindell
Only went to Mitchell Lake because reservations are required so we had to hike 2.5 miles to the trailhead.

Nearby Recommended Routes

Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started