Powder Project Logo
Climb
MTB
Hike
Trailrun
Ski

Mitchell Lake Trail

Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
 3.0 (2)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Front Range
  4. …Indian Peaks
  5. Brainard Lake
View in Mobile App
Previous Next

“A flat approach to Blue Lake, Mt. Toll, Mt. Audubon, and Paiute Peak. ”

Thomas Beatty
Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List

3.2

Miles

5.2

KM

Ascent

12,000' 3,658 m

High

10,499' 3,200 m

Low

1,519' 463 m

Up

18' 6 m

Down

9%

Avg Slope (5°)

35%

Max Slope (19°)
Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry
Between 15 Nov - 30 Apr, winter closure of Brainard Lake adds about 3 miles each way. Bikes allowed when road is snow free around May/June.

Need to Know

Winter closure from 15 Nov to 30 Apr.

Description

Unfortunately, this trail is flat both ways, skiing out without a transition is very unlikely. If you take this trail all the way up to Little Blue Lake, it is possible to ski back to Mitchell Lake at least. The views along the trail are incredible, and about half of the approach is sheltered by trees from the inevitable Front Range wind.

Contacts

Land Manager: USFS - Boulder Ranger District Office

Shared By:

Thomas Beatty
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  3.0 from 2 votes

#2

in Brainard Lake

#396

Overall
  3.0 from 2 votes
5 Star
0%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
100%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Ascent Rankings

#2

in Brainard Lake

#137

in Colorado

#396

Overall
39 Views Last Month
321 Since Apr 5, 2021
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
0%
100%
0%
0%
0%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

Topo of Paiute Peak form the east.
Oct 13, 2022 near Nederland, CO
Alexis skinning up near treeline, with views (from L->R) of Mt. Toll, Paiute Peak, and Mt. Audubon.
Apr 5, 2021 near Nederland, CO
The line is in the center of the photo, right next to the rock rib. We had to cross rocks to get here, but I bet anyone with better routefinding skills could find their way entirely on snow.
Apr 5, 2021 near Nederland, CO
The line is in the center of the photo, next to the rock rib.
Apr 5, 2021 near Nederland, CO

0 Comments

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 67 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

May 25, 2026
Jake Albright
.8mi hike to skin, always forget how flat & slow it is to get out, esp in late spring with failing skins .. worth it for the couloirs though ofc
Jun 2, 2024
Jake Albright
Jun 10, 2023
Jake Albright
Apr 23, 2023
P S
12mi

Nearby Ski Lines

Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started