Brainard Lake–Brainard Lake Cutoff Trail, 6 sights
15.7 mi · ▲ 2,069 ft · 6 hr 16 min
Brainard Lake–Brainard Lake Cutoff Trail, 6 sights is a 15.7-mile out-and-back in Indian Peaks Wilderness near Peaceful Valley, CO. The route reaches Brainard Lake at the turnaround, 7.8 miles in. It climbs 2,069 ft, with sections as steep as 16% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 61/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Brainard Lake–Brainard Lake Cutoff Trail, 6 sights
15.7 mi · ▲ 2,069 ft · 6 hr 16 min
Elevation 8,644–10,465 ft
Out & Back · Indian Peaks Wilderness
Trailhead: Sourdough Trail · 40.12825, -105.51820
Weather Sep 5: sunrise 6:33 AM · sunset 7:31 PM
Dogs allowed on leash · Toilets at the trailhead · Drinking water at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Sourdough Trail, heading S.
- 350 ftContinue straight onto Middle Saint Vrain Trail, heading E.
- 250 ftContinue straight onto Sourdough Trail, heading S.
- 2.2 miTurn right, heading S.
- 0.2 miTurn right onto Beaver Bog, heading W.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading W.
- 0.4 miContinue straight onto Sourdough Trail, heading SW.
- 2.1 miTurn right onto South Saint Vrain, heading SW.
- 1.9 miBear right onto South Saint Vrain Trail, heading SW.
- 0.2 miBear left onto Brainard Lake Cutoff Trail, heading SW.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto South Saint Vrain Trail, heading W.
- 0.4 miContinue straight onto CMC Cabin Cutoff, heading SW.
- 0.2 miSharp left onto Mitchell Lake Trailhead Connector Trail, heading W.
- 450 ftReach Brainard Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 450 ftSharp right onto CMC Cabin Cutoff, heading S.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto South Saint Vrain Trail, heading E.
- 0.4 miContinue straight onto Brainard Lake Cutoff Trail, heading NE.
- 50 ftBear right onto South Saint Vrain Trail, heading NE.
- 0.2 miBear left onto South Saint Vrain, heading SE.
- 1.9 miTurn left onto Sourdough Trail, heading E.
- 2.5 miTurn right onto Beaver Bog, heading NE.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading NE.
- 0.2 miTurn left onto Sourdough Trail, heading NE.
- 2.2 miContinue straight onto Middle Saint Vrain Trail, heading W.
- 250 ftContinue straight onto Sourdough Trail, heading E.
- 200 ftArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Good to know
- Dogs allowed on leash
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Drinking water at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Sourdough Trail Trailhead
- Beaver Reservoir–Beaver Reservoir Cutoff Trail, 3 sights 4.2 mi · ▲ 843 ft
- County Road 92J via Buchanan Pass Trail 8.2 mi · ▲ 985 ft
- Buchanan Pass Trail 10.3 mi · ▲ 1,502 ft
- Buchanan Pass Trail 11.2 mi · ▲ 1,316 ft
- Coney Lake–Beaver Reservoir, 7 sights 13.5 mi · ▲ 2,060 ft
- Buchanan Pass Trail 14.6 mi · ▲ 2,863 ft
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