Omayra Acevedo, Peak to Peak. Have a passenger vehicle or an RV and 11 bucks? Great! Here’s where you go to spend your $11. Brainard Lake Recreation Area in the town of Ward, Colorado. How do I get there? Which trail do I take? What should I expect? No worries. I’ll be getting to all of these.

First things first, pack your hiking bag with the bare necessities: first aid kit, plenty of water, snacks, sun screen, maybe some bear spray (just in case), layers of clothing you can take off and put on with ease, and certainly the camera. Also remember to always let your friends and family know where you will be traveling. Now we’re ready…

It’s no secret that the Colorado Rocky Mountains is a very special place. Skiing, snowboarding, camping, wildlife, breweries, distilleries, log cabins, mountain nature and of course my personal favorite, hiking! Brainard Lake Recreation Area is one of many easy hiking locations to get to. Hence, why it is heavily used. However, if you get there early enough and during the week – as I often do – you’ll be able to claim the trails all to yourself. At least for a little while. 

Whether you’re approaching from the west or the east, the drive alone to Brainard is well worth it. The Peak to Peak Highway is breathtaking. Once you have reached Highway 72 and Brainard Lake Road (you can’t miss the big brown sign off the highway), travel uphill for about 2.5 miles to the fee station. This is where you’ll surrender your hard-earned $11. From there, travel another two miles to Brainard Lake and follow the signs to the Mitchell Lake trailhead.

It won’t take you very long to get to Mitchell Lake, but feel free to turn around and go back to the parking lot. However, since you’re already here, why not hike another 1.5 miles to Blue Lake. Believe me when I tell you, you won’t regret it. This is a fairly heavily wooded trail with an abundance of wild flowers and it enters the Indian Peaks Wilderness area. Blue Lake lies at tree line at the base of Mount Toll which rests at 12,979 feet. 

The weather in Colorado, especially at high elevations, can truly be unpredictable. When I hiked Mitchell and Blue Lake, it was summer so the weather was fantastic,  or so I thought until I reached Blue Lake. A storm was approaching and lightning began to strike. Nonetheless, I’m glad I went. There’s a reason Blue Lake is called Blue Lake. Pictures won’t do it justice and words will never truly describe it. Go for it! It’s one hike and two beautiful lakes.

(Originally published in the June 13, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)