Omayra Acevedo, Peak to Peak.  Don’t let the name fool you. The hike at Long Lake isn’t that long, but it sure is beautiful. The first time I hiked Long Lake Trail at Brainard Lake Recreation Area was in 2015, and then again in 2016 before moving to Europe. It is also the place where I met the man I fell in love with. Needless to say, this trail holds a very special place in my heart.

To get to Long Lake, you must first get to the Brainard Lake Recreation Area via the small town of Ward, Colorado. It isn’t difficult to find if you know how to use Google. If you’re not confident in your ability to navigate through the world wide web, then simply get to the town of Nederland and keep heading west toward Estes Park for about 13 miles, to Brainard Lake Road. After turning on Brainard Lake Road, keep driving and following the signs to the trailhead which is located at an elevation of 10,505 feet above sea level.

Besides the breathtaking lake you encounter on this hike, you will notice that shortly after starting your hike, you find yourself in the Indian Peaks Wilderness boundary. The trail is a loop so feel free to head left or right. Inevitably, after about 2.8 miles and roughly 180 feet of elevation gain, you’ll end up right back where you started. Take your time and take in all the different views you’ll come across. There are a couple of short side paths that take you right up to the shore. I recommend you take the extra couple of minutes to explore these.

While venturing through Long Lake, you will travel through pristine pine and conifer forests, small meadows, and you may even encounter a moose or two. Remember, admire and respect wildlife from a distance. We are, after all, entering their home. Who knows?! Maybe you too will meet and fall in love with a stranger – hopefully, not a moose. Or, bring the one you already have. Hiking in numbers is a lot safer than hiking alone.

A few things you should know about Long Lake is that it is also known as the Jean Lunning Loop; depending on the time of year, there is a small fee and it is only open if the weather and road conditions permit. If you can’t make it to the hike soon, just wait a few more weeks. It’ll be open by then.

(Originally published in the January 17, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)