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Indian Peaks' easiest family loop — alpine views without the climb
Indian Peaks Wilderness
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Tell us your date and conditions — we'll factor in the 3.2-mi route, 110 ft of gain, and 1.5–2 hour day to assemble the gear that matters in under a minute.
Indian Peaks' easiest family loop — alpine views without the climb. Editorial intro forthcoming.
Dogs: leashes required.
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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Practical-craft notes for this specific trail — timing, route, photo, etiquette.
The Jean Lunning Loop is one of Colorado's premier wildflower trails. Mid-July (typically July 10–25) is peak bloom: paintbrush, columbine, fireweed, alpine forget-me-nots. Book your permit for that window.
Take the south shore first — Navajo Peak comes into view from the optimal angle as you progress. Going clockwise puts your back to the best mountain views for the first half.
The willow meadows along the south shore are nearly guaranteed moose habitat. Far more dangerous than bears: never approach calves, back away if a cow lowers her ears or licks her lips. 75 yards is the minimum.
Long Lake's meadows are mosquito factories June through mid-July. Treat clothing with permethrin or bring a head net + DEET. Sunset hikes especially: clouds of mosquitoes.
At 10,674ft, weather changes fast. Even on a sunny morning, a thunderstorm can build by 1pm. Always pack a rain shell on Brainard trails — the open meadows offer zero cover.
Long Lake Trailhead requires a $12 timed-entry reservation (recreation.gov) — book at 8am MT within the 15-day rolling window; summer weekend slots sell out same-day. If you miss the reservation, lower Brainard's free lot adds ~1 mile of walking. No park entrance fee (USFS Indian Peaks). Overnight parking allowed for backpacking-permit holders.
Permit dates verified 2026-05-17 · Verify on recreation.gov before your trip
Highlighted months offer the best conditions.
The Brainard Lake area is one of Colorado's best moose-viewing destinations — the Jean Lunning Loop's south shore traverses willow meadows where bulls bed in summer. Yellow-bellied marmots colonize the talus toward Lake Isabelle; alpine pikas hold the rocky benches above.
Alces alces shirasi
Bull moose bed in the willow meadows along the south shore June through October. Far more dangerous than bears — keep 75 yards minimum, NEVER approach calves, back away if a cow lowers her ears.
Photo: NPS Photo — public domain
Marmota flaviventris
Photo: USFWS — public domain
Ochotona princeps
Talus slopes above Lake Isabelle host a healthy pika population — listen for the alarm call.
Photo: NPS Photo, Rocky Mountain NP — public domain
Castor canadensis
Active in the inlet creeks feeding Long Lake at dusk.
Photo: Steve Hersey, CC BY-SA 2.0 — Wikimedia Commons
Indian Peaks Wilderness allows dispersed backpacking with a $9/night permit (recreation.gov, 4-month booking window). Lake Isabelle area is the most popular overnight zone. Bear-canister required (USFS rule). No campfires above treeline — bring a stove.
Curated for this trail's terrain, elevation, and typical conditions.
Same parking, same logistics — if your plans need to flex, here's what else is reachable from Long Lake Trailhead.
Moderate · Indian Peaks · 4.6 mi · 440 ft gain
Alpine basin under Navajo Peak — 4.6 mi RT from Long Lake Trailhead
Read the guide →Moderate · Indian Peaks · 1 mi · 230 ft gain
A half-mile walk into the Indian Peaks Wilderness
Read the guide →Easy · Boulder · 1.8 mi · 88 ft gain
Boulder's easiest lake loop — wetlands, prairie, and Foothills views
Read the guide →We publish photos after a quick moderator review. As soon as a hiker shares conditions out there, they'll appear here.