The Spirit of the Rockies www.thespiritoftherockies.net

Hike Profiles for Rocky Mountain National Park and Surrounding Areas

Lake Isabelle

An easily accessible lake in the heart of the Indian Peaks, Lake Isabelle is a popular destination in the summer. The lake lies near timberline in a dramatic valley, offering views of high peaks such as Navajo and Apache Peaks. Hikers can take the Jean Lunnings trail around Long Lake as an alternate route to Lake Isabelle.

Distance: 2.0 miles one-way Lake elevation: 10,868 feet Trailhead elevation: 10,480 feet Net elevation gain: 388 feet Long Lake Trailhead Indian Peaks Wilderness

Lake Isabelle

Major Trail Landmarks Junction of Jean Lunnings Trail loop and Pawnee Pass Trail (0.2 miles one-way from trailhead) Junction with west end of Jean Lunnings Trail loop (0.8 miles one-way from trailhead)

Principal Destinations Near Lake Isabelle Pawnee Pass (4.0 miles one-way from trailhead) - via Pawnee Pass Trail

Backcountry Campsites Near Lake Isabelle Information on Indian Peaks Wilderness camping regulations, backcountry zones, and obtaining a permit is available through this link: http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/arnf/recreation/wilderness/indianpeaks/

The Long Lake 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 Long Lake Trailhead parking area is accessed from a left-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 Long Lake Trailhead, follow the Pawnee Pass Trail west from the parking area. Just east of Long Lake, a loop trail (The Jean Lunnings Trail) heads south to follow the shoreline of Long Lake. At this point, either follow the Pawnee Pass or Jean Lunnings Trail, which intersect again 0.8 miles west of the trailhead. From the second junction, follow the Pawnee Pass Trail to the northeast end of Lake Isabelle.

Leashed pets are welcome on this trail

Sample photographs of the hike to Lake Isabelle

Lake Isabelle Trail

Trail near Lake Isabelle

Cascade at Lake Isabelle

Lake Isabelle

Lake Isabelle topographic map

Principal summer trail marked by solid red line; unmaintained trail or route marked by dashed red line. Map is oriented with north to the top of the map

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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.