Hike Profiles for Rocky Mountain National Park and Surrounding Areas

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The hike to Blue Lake is a popular route in the Indian Peaks Wilderness. The trail passes Mitchell Lake before continuing west to Blue Lake at the base of Mount Toll. This trail normally has a late meltout date, and is snow covered or muddy for most of the summer hiking season.

Distance: 2.5 miles one-way Lake elevation: 11,320 feet Trailhead elevation: 10,480 feet Net elevation gain: 840 feet Mitchell Creek Trailhead Indian Peaks Wilderness

Blue Lake in the Indian Peaks Wilderness

Major Trail Landmarks Mitchell Lake (1.0 miles one-way from trailhead)

Principal Destinations Near Blue Lake Little Blue Lake (3.5 miles one-way from trailhead) - via an unmaintained route beyond Blue Lake

Backcountry Campsites Near Blue Lake The Indian Peaks Wilderness does not have designated campsites in the same way as Rocky Mountain National Park. Camping information in the Blue Lake area is available by calling 303-541-2500.

The Mitchell Creek Trailhead is on the east side of the continental divide in the Indian Peaks Wilderness. To reach to trailhead parking area, drive on Colorado Highway 72 to the vicinity of the town of Ward. Just north of Ward on Highway 72, there is a large sign marking a road leading west to Brainard Lake. Follow Brainard Lake Road for about 6 miles to Brainard Lake. The Mitchell Creek Trailhead parking area is accessed from a right-hand turn just past the lake. Brainard Lake Road remains closed at about the halfway point between Highway 72 and Brainard Lake until after most of the spring snowfall has melted, which is in late June or early July in most years. There is an entrance fee collected for driving into the Brainard Lake area. From the Mitchell Creek Trailhead parking area, head to the south end of the lot and begin hiking on the Mitchell Lake Trail system, which is also named "Trail 912" (The Mount Audubon trail begins at the north end of the lot, and does not lead to Blue Lake). Follow the trail past Mitchell Lake to a log crossing of Mitchell Creek where caution is advised. Continue on the trail as it follows cascades to Blue Lake, 1.5 miles past Mitchell Lake.

Sample photographs of the hike to Blue Lake

Mitchell Creek south of Mitchell Lake

Paiute Peak and Blue Lake

Little Pawnee Peak from Blue Lake

Blue Lake and Mount Toll

Blue Lake topographic map

Principal summer trail marked by solid red line; unmaintained trail or route marked by dashed red line

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All photographs are property of Mike Amfahr and are protected by copyright laws. Topographic map is property of and copyrighted by Maps a la carte, Inc., and is used on this site with permission.