Brainard Lakes hike

We enjoyed breakfast on camp and packed up.
We didn't have a time permit for Brainard Lakes area so parked in the Gateway lot and hiked in along a beautiful pine forest crossing small streams, the large St Vrain River, and meadows to lunch at Brainard lake. We continued to Long Lake but the storms were rolling in so returned back. Some of the trails we planned to take were winter only, so returned on same trail getting caught in light shared and heavier sunshowers. Luckily it was still fairly warm. Total of 8 miles roundtrip.Read more