Indian Peaks Wilderness: Brainard Lake Alpine Circuit

The Brainard Lake Recreation Area in the Indian Peaks Wilderness gives access to one of the most spectacular alpine lake circuits in Colorado — Mitchell Lake, Blue Lake, and Long Lake all within a 4-mile network at 10,500–11,000 feet. The tundra and willows are above treeline, the lakes are clear and deep, and the peaks of the Indian Peaks — Navajo Peak (13,409 ft), Apache Peak (13,441 ft) — form the backdrop. 45 minutes closer to Denver than Rocky Mountain National Park with comparable scenery and far fewer crowds.