Near Isabelle Glacier Trail
Isabelle Lake surrounded by the Indian Peaks - stunning.
Near Isabelle Glacier Trail
Lake Isabelle
Near Isabelle Glacier Trail
Lake Isabelle lies hidden in a high, isolated bowl-shaped basin at the top of the South St. Vrain drainage in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area.
Near Isabelle Glacier Trail
A view of beautiful Lake Isabelle
Near Isabelle Glacier Trail
Lake Isabelle

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Driving Directions
Hike Trail

Isabelle Glacier Trail

4.8 (31 Ratings)
Hike to the source of South Saint Vrain Creek, Isabelle Glacier.
2
mi
Distance
100
ft
Gain
strenuous
Difficulty
LakeRiver/CreekViewsWildlife
Access Issues
Camping is only permissible in this zone between December 1 and April 30. From May 1 through November 30, this area is day-use only.

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
2.04mi
Distance
100ft
Elevation Gain
1,208ft
Elevation Loss
40%
Max Grade
12,044ft
High Point
10,908ft
Low Point
Path Type
Point to Point
Description
This trail is best attempted July through September. Snow-packed conditions can exist during the remaining months of the year. Follow the Pawnee Pass Trail #907 as it climbs gradually for two miles through wooded terrain and into the Indian Peaks Wilderness. The trail travels from Long Lake to Lake Isabelle, which sits just below the tree line. At Lake Isabelle, follow the Isabelle Glacier Trail #908 as it forks left from the Pawnee Pass Trail. The Isabelle Glacier Trail continues along the north side of Lake Isabelle to Isabelle Glacier, the source of the South Saint Vrain Creek. The Isabelle Glacier Trail ends finally beside Isabelle Glacier in a very steep-walled cirque basin framed by Shoshone, Apache, and Navajo Peaks.

Route Conditions

Report Conditions
No Condition Reports
Report Conditions

Nearby Hike Routes

Long Lake, Lake Isabelle + Pawnee Pass

Hike Route

Long Lake, Lake Isabelle + Pawnee Pass

Lake
strenuous
8.91 mi
+2,031 ft
Isabelle Glacier Out and Back

Classic Hike Route

Isabelle Glacier Out and Back

Fall Colors
strenuous
8.18 mi
+1,741 ft
Long Lake via Jean Lunning Trail

Hike Route

Long Lake via Jean Lunning Trail

Lake
easy
2.74 mi
+177 ft
Pawnee-Buchanan Loop

Classic Hike Route

Pawnee-Buchanan Loop

Birding
strenuous
25.68 mi
+6,797 ft
Mitchell Lake Trail Out and Back

Hike Route

Mitchell Lake Trail Out and Back

Lake
moderate
5.24 mi
+933 ft
Mitchell Lake + Blue Lake

Hike Route

Mitchell Lake + Blue Lake

Lake
moderate
4.79 mi
+873 ft
Contributors
Tom Robson