When I was at Isabelle Lake (Indian Peaks Wilderness at Brainard Lake entrance) in mid-July, it was a bit grueling navigating the snow fields and muddy/watery trails to get there. This was on a perfect autumn day, September 18. The aspen on the Peak to Peak highway were mostly golden, reflecting the high altitude sunlight beautifully. The road into Brainard Lake was especially outstanding. It was early rising to get there by 8 am when a parking place at the trail head to Long Lake was still available. This time I hiked along the south shore of Long Lake until the trail passes the lake and turns in to go around the other shore. After crossing the bridge where Long Lake flows into a creek, the meadows fronting the jagged peaks were in sunny splendor. The trail rises from the lake through a deep woods before turning across a bridge crossing a creek at the other end of the lake.
The trail up to Isabelle Lake appears shortly and climbs through forest and meadows.
Approaching the lake, which is close to timber line, I was surprised to see wildflowers (mostly bluebells) surrounding the head of a waterfall. This waterfall was absolutely raging in July. The area must get protected as temperatures at night are surely below freezing by now.
The bent trees testify to the severity of wind up here, but this day was mostly calm.
A snack overlooking the lake on rock with a small patch of red leaves was the perfect place.
Picture taking was exchanged right after a rock hopping crossing. Driving out, I was surprised to see every possible parking place around Brainard Lake taken. A drive down the canyon below Ward was another gorgeous experience before fighting the traffic back home through Boulder.
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