Long Lake Loop

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildlife

This route gets you above and away from the majority of the other Brainard Lake Recreation Area sightseers. This is a family-friendly route affording views of surrounding peaks, and pristine Long Lake itself.

This is a great trail run, albeit a little crowded. Like all runs in the IPW, try to hit it early.

From the Niwot Cutoff TH, a -mile run leads west up a small slope and through the woods to Long Lake. The trail lazily switchbacks its way above Brainard Lake, and into an intersection with Jean Lunning Trail and Long Lake Dam Connector.

Stay straight onto the Jean Lunning Trail, which enters the Indian Peaks Wilderness. The trail continues west along the south side of Long Lake on a wide, gentle trail with several bridges. Keep an eye out for Moose, they tend to frequent these wet areas during summer.

After Jean Lunning Trail turns northeast and intersects Pawnee Pass Trail, turn right onto Pawnee Pass. This heavily used portion of trail continues along Long Lake as wide, fairly flat singletrack. Just prior to the trail leaving the Indian Peaks Wilderness, turn right onto Long Lake Dam Connector, and be sure to grab the awesome view of Long Lake in its entirety.

From Long Lake Dam Connector, turn left onto Niwot Cutoff Trail and head back to your car!

Moose and decent aspen viewing from afar.