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Hike to Blue Lake, Brainard Lake Recreation Area

Ward, Colorado

Description

Added by Michael Smyjewski

Great views of a few different mountainsA few different mountain lakesLots of flowers and fields if you go in seasonGreat variety in terrain

This weekend I got to do my first hike since arriving in Colorado. We left early and got to Brainard Lake Recreation Area at about 9am. Boulder weather was warm and sunny, by the time we got to Brainard it was very heavy winds and temperatures in the 50’s. It amazes me how the weather can change so drastically when you are hiking in Colorado. Out east you could usually have a solid idea of what the temps would be and just bring a shell for any chance of rain. We hiked the first section with the wind right in our faces and once we got some tree cover it made things much easier. By the end of the day I was in shorts and a thin base layer. I couldn't get over the amount of beautiful untouched spaces on this trip. So many fields of flowers, clean blue lakes and grassy meadows. We pushed a ways past Blue Lake and got to the base of Mt. Toll. I am hoping to get back out there someday and climb up to the top.

Here are some details for those of you wondering about elevation and distance: connect.garmin.com

Here is some more info and pictures: exposure.com

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Features

Hiking
Dog Friendly
Lake
Scenic
Wildflowers
Wildlife

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