Brainard Lake near Ward in the Indian Peak Wilderness is scenic even when under many feet of snow. Before the gate was opened in late May we hiked from the gate to Brainard Lake. A roundtrip hike of 6 miles. On May 20th, 2022 the ice was out of the lakes and the mountains were snow covered.
Map of the Brainard Lake area.
The entrance to the park.
Red Rock Lake near the park entrance.
It is a 3 mile walk from the entrance to Brainard Lake.
Some of the parking lots were still under snow.
Our first view of Brainard Lake.
Still a little ice but mostly open.
We walk to the dam.
Standing on the lake outlet/dam the ice has flowed to the outlet.
The water flow is strong as the snow melt has began.
The restrooms are surrounded by snow but were open.
Back at the parking lot the Pasquel Flowers are in full bloom.
