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Snowshoeing Central
Brainard Lake Loop
You can make a loop by combining the CMC South and the CMC North (Waldrop) with a connecting route along two unplowed roads, one which runs around Brainard Lake and one that goes to the Mitchell Lake summer trailhead. It is possible to do the loop in either direction, but clockwise seems to be best for most snowshoers. To do it in this direction, take the CMC South all the way to the west end of Brainard Lake (passing the old chimneys, and dropping down to the road around the west end of the lake). Continue northwest along the road around the western end. Pass the lakeside Niwot Mountain Picnic Area to a left fork, which is marked with a Mitchell Lake sign. Proceed up this road past the Waldrop Trail and CMC Brainard Cabin signs to a second Waldrop Trail sign, where you go right (east) along the South St. Vrain Trail. After about 0.7 mile (including crossing an open, windblown meadow, followed by a wooded area), you come to another Waldrop Trail sign, where you must take a right to follow the Waldrop Trail eastward. Along the 0.7-mile stretch, you will pass two right forks (which may not be obvious), one leading back to the CMC Brainard Cabin and the other leading to the Brainard Lake Road. Stay left at each of these junctions if you want to stay on the Waldrop Trail all the way back to the Red Rock parking area.
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| Brainard Lake Loop |
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 | Starting elevation: 10,060 feet
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| Highest elevation: 10,450 feet
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| Elevation difference: 800 feet, including ups and downs
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| Distance: 7 miles (loop)
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| Difficulty: Moderate to challenging southbound; challenging northbound
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| Avalanche hazard: None
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