Mitchell Lake
Mitchell Lake is a short, easy alpine hike in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area near Ward, Colorado, about a half mile each way from the Mitchell Lake Trailhead to a subalpine lake framed by Mount Audubon, and the first lake on the trail up to Blue Lake.
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Mitchell Lake quick facts
- Distance
- About a half mile each way to Mitchell Lake, roughly a mile round trip, on a good wooded trail. Blue Lake is another 1.5 miles beyond. (USFS)
- Elevation
- About 10,500 feet at the Mitchell Lake Trailhead (USFS). The lake sits a little higher, and the recreation area as a whole is near 10,600 feet.
- Difficulty
- Easy. A gentle, mostly wooded walk with only a little climbing over the short distance to the lake, which makes it one of the friendlier alpine lakes for families and first-timers.
- Access
- A timed-entry parking reservation is required to drive in during the season, booked ahead at Recreation.gov (non-refundable $2 reservation fee). The upper Mitchell Lake Trailhead lot is scheduled to open July 1, 2026; the 2026 operating season runs June 12 through October 1.
- Dogs
- Allowed on a hand-held leash at all times from May 1 through November 1. From November 15 through April 30 dogs are limited to the Brainard Lake and Lefthand Park Reservoir Roads and the Sourdough Trail. (USFS)
- Permits
- The trail enters the Indian Peaks Wilderness near the Mitchell Creek bridge, so all Indian Peaks Wilderness regulations apply. A separate wilderness permit is required for overnight backpacking.
- Fishing
- Permitted in accordance with Colorado Parks & Wildlife regulations.
- Best season
- July through September, once the upper trailhead opens and the snow clears. Because of the elevation, snow often lingers on the trail until July.
Mitchell Lake at a glance
Mitchell Lake is a short, wooded walk to a serene alpine lake in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area, the high-country hub of the Indian Peaks northwest of Ward. The Forest Service calls the Mitchell Lake Trailhead one of the most popular on the Boulder Ranger District, and it's easy to see why: about a half mile of good trail through subalpine woods, a bridge over Mitchell Creek, and then the lake, framed by Mount Audubon and often visited by moose and marmots. It's the first lake on the way to Blue Lake, so it works either as a gentle destination on its own or as a warm-up on a longer day.
How far is the hike, and how hard?
Short and easy. The Forest Service describes the trail as continuing about a half mile to Mitchell Lake, which makes it roughly a mile round trip with only a little climbing, well within reach of children and first-time hikers. If you want to keep going, another 1.5 miles of trail climbs a bit more steeply and follows the creek up an open valley to Blue Lake, which sits at tree line below the cone of Mount Toll on the Continental Divide. When there's still snow on the ground, the trail past Mitchell Lake is easy to lose, so pay attention.
Reservations, fees, and getting in
Brainard Lake Recreation Area uses a timed-entry reservation system in summer. Anyone driving in needs a timed-entry parking reservation, booked ahead at Recreation.gov, and there's a non-refundable $2 reservation fee (America the Beautiful pass holders still need to reserve). The upper trailhead lots, including Mitchell Lake, are scheduled to open July 1, 2026, and the 2026 operating season runs June 12 through October 1. If reservations are gone, you can park without a reservation at the year-round Gateway Trailhead, which carries a $10 day-use fee, and walk or bike in, but that adds a couple of miles each way. Reservations sell out, so plan ahead.
Getting there
From Colorado Highway 72 at Ward, turn west onto the Brainard Lake Road, drive about 2.5 miles to the entrance portal, then continue roughly three more miles to the Mitchell Creek (Mitchell Lake) Trailhead at the west end of the recreation area. The trailhead sits at about 10,500 feet, so give yourself time to adjust to the altitude and start early to beat afternoon thunderstorms.
Dogs, wilderness rules, and fishing
Dogs are welcome on a hand-held leash at all times from May 1 through November 1; in winter they're restricted to the Brainard Lake and Lefthand Park Reservoir Roads and the Sourdough Trail. The trail enters the Indian Peaks Wilderness near the Mitchell Creek bridge, so all Indian Peaks Wilderness regulations apply, and overnight trips need a wilderness permit. Fishing is allowed under Colorado Parks & Wildlife rules. Pack animals and recreational shooting are prohibited.
Best season and what to bring
July through September is the window. Snow often lingers at this elevation into July, and the upper trailhead parking opens July 1, so early-summer visitors may still find snow on the trail. Bring layers and a rain shell for fast-moving mountain weather, bug spray for the buggy lakeshore, and give moose a wide berth, since they're common in the recreation area and can be closer than you expect.
Nearby trails and guides
- Brainard Lake: the full recreation-area guide, with the reservation system, fees, and the other trailheads.
- Blue Lake: the bigger alpine lake 1.5 miles beyond Mitchell, below Mount Toll.
- All hikes in Boulder: the full hiking hub, sorted by difficulty.
Recommended nearby
A few local spots we'd point a Brainard day toward.
[CLIENT SLOT: featured outfitter or gear shop near Brainard Lake]
[One honest line: bug spray, layers, or a rain shell before you drive up.]
[CLIENT SLOT: featured cafe in Nederland or Ward]
[One honest line: coffee or a bite on the way in or out.]
[CLIENT SLOT: featured lodging near Nederland]
[One honest line: where to stay to get an early start at the trailhead.]
Mitchell Lake FAQ
How long is the Mitchell Lake hike?
It's short. The Forest Service describes the trail as about a half mile from the trailhead to Mitchell Lake, so roughly a mile round trip, on a good wooded path with a bridge over the inlet. If you want more, the trail continues another 1.5 miles and climbs a bit more steeply to Blue Lake at tree line below Mount Toll.
Do you need a reservation to hike Mitchell Lake?
Yes, to drive in during the season. Visitors arriving by vehicle need a timed-entry parking reservation for the Brainard Lake Recreation Area, booked in advance at Recreation.gov, with a non-refundable $2 reservation fee. The Mitchell Lake Trailhead lot is scheduled to open July 1, 2026. You can skip the reservation by parking at the year-round Gateway Trailhead (which has a $10 day-use fee) and walking or biking in, but that adds distance.
Is Mitchell Lake a good hike for kids?
Yes. It's one of the easiest alpine lakes in the area, with a gentle grade and only about a half mile of trail to the water, so children and novice hikers manage it comfortably. Bring bug spray, since the lakeshore can be buggy in summer, and keep an eye out for moose, which are common in the recreation area.
Can you bring a dog to Mitchell Lake?
Yes, on a hand-held leash. From May 1 through November 1 the Forest Service requires dogs to be leashed at all times on this trail. In winter, from November 15 through April 30, dogs are limited to the Brainard Lake and Lefthand Park Reservoir Roads and the Sourdough Trail, not the Mitchell Lake Trail itself.
When is the best time to hike Mitchell Lake?
July through September. The upper trailhead parking is scheduled to open July 1, and because of the high elevation snow often stays on the trail until July. Late summer gives you the most reliable, snow-free walking and open wildflower meadows; the reservation season runs June 12 through October 1 in 2026.
Sources
Facts on this page are drawn from these authoritative sources: