American pika
Ochotona princeps
MorningMiddayAfternoon
The talus benches between Long Lake and Lake Isabelle host one of Indian Peaks' densest pika populations.
Photo: NPS Photo, Rocky Mountain NP — public domain
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Indian Peaks · Moderate
Lake Isabelle
Alpine basin under Navajo Peak — 4.6 mi RT from Long Lake Trailhead
Indian Peaks Wilderness
Distance4.6mi round trip
Elevation440ft gain
High point10,868ft summit
Typical time2.5–3.5hours
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Alpine basin under Navajo Peak — 4.6 mi RT from Long Lake Trailhead. Editorial intro forthcoming.
Trip facts
Typical duration2.5–3.5hours
Trailhead10,520ft elevation
High point10,868ft summit
Dogs: leashes required.
How you'll find it
From Boulder, take CO-119 north to Nederland, then CO-72 north 12 miles to Brainard Lake Road. Timed-entry parking reservation required at Long Lake Trailhead (recreation.gov) — book in the 15-day rolling window. Upper trailheads open July 1, 2026.
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What you'll get
- Glacial cirque lake at 10,868ft beneath Navajo, Apache, and Shoshoni Peaks
- 2.3 miles one-way from Long Lake Trailhead — most-accessible alpine basin in the Indian Peaks
- Wildflower meadows peak mid-July to mid-August
- Connects to Pawnee Pass (12,541ft) for a full alpine day — add 3 miles and 1,600ft
- One of Colorado's iconic Indian Peaks Wilderness day hikes
What locals know
Practical-craft notes for this specific trail — timing, route, photo, etiquette.
Trail tips
- Route
Trailhead parking is Long Lake — not 'Lake Isabelle'
There's no separate Lake Isabelle Trailhead. Book the Long Lake Trailhead reservation; Lake Isabelle is 1.3mi past Long Lake on the same trail.
- Photo
The most-photographed Indian Peaks basin
Lake Isabelle's amphitheater under Navajo Peak is the cover-shot location of every Indian Peaks photo book. Best mid-July when wildflowers ring the lake. Wide-angle (16–24mm) captures the basin scale.
- Timing
Off-season magic — September is the move
After Labor Day, crowds drop but the lake stays accessible through mid-October. Permit demand drops; same scenery without the summer-weekend press.
- Gear
Microspikes useful Sep–Jun on the upper section
The climb from Long Lake to Lake Isabelle hits 10,868ft and crosses snowfields most of the year except mid-July to early September. Microspikes ease the climb dramatically.
- Weather
Lake-level wind — bring a hat that won't blow away
The amphitheater funnels wind down to the lake surface. Even on calm Brainard mornings, Lake Isabelle can be windy. Secure your hat or skip it; cinching is mandatory.
Where you'll start
Lake Isabelle shares the Long Lake Trailhead parking — book the Long Lake reservation at recreation.gov ($12 timed-entry, 15-day rolling). The 4.4-mile out-and-back climbs above Long Lake to one of Indian Peaks' most photographed basins. No park entrance fee; overnight allowed for backpacking permits.
Permit dates verified 2026-05-17 · Verify on recreation.gov before your trip
Parking cost
$12 permit (timed entry)
Overnight
Allowed
Backpacking permit holders only — separate USFS wilderness permit required for Indian Peaks Wilderness overnight.
Park entrance
Free
Restrooms
Vault toilets
Fills by
Summer weekend permits sell out same-day
Cell service
No signal
What's at the trailhead
- Restrooms — Vault toilets
- No potable water — bring your own from town
- Information kiosk
- No cell service — share plans + ETA with a contact before driving in
If the lot is full
Lower Brainard Lake (free, no reservation) adds ~1 mile of road walking to reach the Long Lake / Lake Isabelle trailhead.
Alternative access
- Lower Brainard Lake parking (free, no reservation; ~1mi walk to upper trailhead)
When to go
Highlighted months offer the best conditions.
Who shares the trail
Above Long Lake, the alpine basin under Navajo Peak is pika and marmot territory year-round. Mountain bluebirds nest in the meadow snags through summer; the inlet creek to Lake Isabelle hosts cutthroat and frequent moose sightings.
- Common
CommonYellow-bellied marmot
Marmota flaviventris
MorningMiddayAfternoonPhoto: USFWS — public domain
OccasionalMoose
Alces alces shirasi
DawnDuskInlet creek meadows below Lake Isabelle attract bull moose dawn and dusk.
Photo: NPS Photo — public domain
CommonMountain bluebird
Sialia currucoides
Photo: USFWS — public domain
What to watch for
What to watch for
- Afternoon thunderstorms above treeline July–August — turn back by noon
- Lake outlet dam can be empty in late season — reservoir drawdown affects photos
- Moose habitat in the lower meadows — give 25 yards clearance
- Snowfields linger on the trail into July most years — traction recommended early season
- High-altitude headache common at 10,800ft+ for sea-level visitors
On the map
Overnight camping
Lake Isabelle's basin is one of Indian Peaks' premier backpacking destinations. The flat areas just below the lake itself make legal dispersed sites (200ft+ from water per USFS). Bear-canister required.
Type
Dispersed backcountry
Water source
Lake Isabelle outlet creek; reliable + treated.
Food storage
Bear-resistant canister REQUIRED.
Fire policy
Above treeline — stoves only.
Trail-tested picks for Lake Isabelle
Curated for this trail's terrain, elevation, and typical conditions.
More routes from the same lot
Same parking, same logistics — if your plans need to flex, here's what else is reachable from Long Lake Trailhead.
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