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Directions: From Boulder, follow 119 through Boulder Canyon west to Nederland. Go through the traffic circle and head north on 72. Travel on the Peak-to-Peak Highway through the town of Ward and look for the sign to Brainard Lake. Turn left (west) onto Brainard Lake Road and follow it to the Entrance Station. Drive through the entrance station to Brainard Lake and bear right around the north shore of the lake. Follow the signs to the Long Lake Trailhead. You can also park at the large parking lots east of Brainard Lake and walk almost 1 mi to the Long Lake Trailhead.
The Jean Lunning Trail provides a wonderful easy introduction to the Indian Peaks Wilderness and a great family friendly hike near Brainard Lake. The trail is relatively flat and encircles the entire lake. As an added bonus you get terrific views of the stunning Indian Peaks about the Isabelle Glacier from the south shores. From the Long Lake Trailhead (or the Niwot Cutoff Trailhead) begin the hike through pine forest along a meandering creek. Very quickly you'll enter the wilderness area and the creek becomes the outlet of Long Lake. I recommend turning left at the trail junction and crossing the footbridge to follow the Jean Lunning Trail to the south shores. This is the most scenic part of the hike with terrific views. Continue along the south shore and reenter the forest. There are multiple creek crossings with the occasional cascade along the way. As you turn north and start heading back to the east you'll get some more lake views and soon rejoin the Isabelle Glacier Trail. Continue back to the trailhead to complete this scenic and easy wilderness loop |
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