Brainard and Isabelle Lakes, July 2026

It had been four years since I'd been to Brainard Lake Recreation Area to take pictures of moose and hike to Lake Isabelle.  That was quite long enough in my opinion, so I talked a fellow photographer in the neighborhood into joining me for a trip up there this past Wednesay.

Setting the alarm for 3 a.m. turned out to be be the right call, because we got there just in time to catch this predawn color in the clouds.

Brainard Lake was noticeably lower than in the past, but no less beautiful during golden hour.

We scoured the willows on Brainard Lake's southern shore, but moose were nowhere to be seen.  So we were left with shooting reflections in the still waters at the lake's western edge.

Some driftwood in the water did its best to make up for the absence of moose, with compelling textures.

After giving up on the moose it was time for my favorite hike in Colorado.  My sixth time on this trail, and it never disappoints.  The wildflowers and cascades were as striking as ever.

The final cascade before reaching the lake was absolutely bursting with bluebells.

I have never not taken a picture at this spot in all my visits.  Why wouldn't I?

Like Brainard, Lake Isabelle was also lower than I've seen it in past years.  There was less snow on the surrounding peaks, too.

The outflow was likewise modest.

As we headed back, my buddy hiked a bit farther down along the cascade you walk across right before reaching the lake.  Not surprisingly, it's just as lush and picturesque wherever you look.

As pretty and plentiful as the wildflowers are along the trail now, I didn't find myself compelled to stop and shoot close-ups of many of them.  Just this lone Subalpine Fleabane poking from between some rocks.

Even without moose, the hike was as enjoyable as ever.  We covered 5.89 miles and 627 feet of elevation gain in a little more than  2 1/2 hours, not counting the roughly 45 minutes we spent taking photos.  A truly terrific morning!

Related Links:

• Lake Isabelle, June 2022: Part II
• Lake Isabelle, June 2022: Part I
• Brainard and Isabelle Lakes, July 2018
• Lake Isabelle, July 2015
• Lake Isabelle, August 2014
• Lake Isabelle, July 2012

Lake Isabelle, June 2022: Part II

My visit to the Indian Peaks had been perfect -- moose at Brainard Lake, and beautiful conditions for my hike to Lake Isabelle. That's not even an attempt at cheesy foreshadowing about problems cropping up later in the day, because none did.  Just more of the same wonderful Colorado summer experience. :)

The outflow from the lake was running a little heavy for me to want to wade out in the middle for a photo like I had a few years earlier.

Fortunately, the view from the shore was just fine.

Midday lighting gets tricky to work with -- straight down and sharp contrast.  These pine cones were nicely illuminated, though.

Fun with my polarizing filter -- full reflection from one pond...

... nearly complete transparency at the next.

I really like this view of the South Saint Vrain Creek flowing from Long Lake taken from the little footbridge that connects the Pawnee Pass and Niwott Cutoff Trails.

Like I mentioned earlier, the wildflowers weren't blooming yet in the same profusion I'd seen this time of year in the past.  This Parry Clover was making a go of it, though.

The few butterflies I saw were finding what nourishment they could from dandelions.  First an Anise Swallowtail ...

... then some species of Greater Fritillary.

I think it goes without further explanation that my morning at Brainard Lake Recreation Area was a complete success!

Related Links:

• Brainard and Isabelle Lakes, July 2026
• Lake Isabelle, June 2022: Part I
• Brainard and Isabelle Lakes, July 2018
• Lake Isabelle, July 2015
• Lake Isabelle, August 2014
• Lake Isabelle, July 2012

Lake Isabelle, June 2022: Part I

I'd completed one of my two missions at Brainard Lake by 7 a.m., spending quality time with the moose right on schedule. Next up was the simultaneously more relaxing and more invigorating mission -- doing one of my favorite hikes to Lake Isabelle.

Well, first I had to catch the initial hints of sunrise on the Indian Peaks.  Then, I could hike to Lake Isabelle.

A late snowfall seemed to have delayed the wildflowers which were typically abundant by now.  American Globeflowers, at least, were blooming.

The shore of Lake Brainard was tranquil at the early hour.  Idyllic.

The trail was in terrific shape.  Skies were clear.  Temperatures were mild.  In short, life was perfect. :)

OK, some parts of the trail were a little wet.

This reflection in a puddle fascinated me -- so bright when everything around it was in shadow.  Light is cool.

The cascades near the top of the trail were as captivating as ever, running briskly.

The final stretch of trail is just the lake rolling out the red carpet.  Flat, open, inviting.  A wonderful culmination after the final set of switchbacks.

I hadn't taken a contemplative wilderness glamour shot since Death Valley four years ago.  This was the right time and place for another.

Click here for Part II.

Related Links:

• Brainard and Isabelle Lakes, July 2026
• Brainard and Isabelle Lakes, July 2018
• Lake Isabelle, July 2015
• Lake Isabelle, August 2014
• Lake Isabelle, July 2012

Brainard Lake, June 2022: Moose

One of my favorite things about visiting Colorado in the summer is getting to take pictures of wildlife that I don't see in Texas.  Most years that means driving up Mount Evans to spend time with the mountain goats.  My experience doing that last summer was transcendent; I couldn't see how I could top it.  And it had been a while since I'd seen moose or done one of my favorite Colorado hikes -- Lake Isabelle.  So it was that I found myself on the road to Brainard Lake at 3:45 in the morning with high hopes!

Those hopes were quickly realized when I came upon five moose grazing in the willows by the lake just after sunrise.  There was virtually no wind and perfect golden hour light.

One young bull didn't stick around long, soon moving on to the north side of the lake.  The one cow I saw barely stuck around at all, but did keep me with my head on a swivel until I was certain she had no calves.

One magnificent bull seemed to be the boss, with the others giving him safe distance.

Sometimes, you just gotta stop and smell the willows.  I love those lashes, too.

I was able to move at the same leisurely pace as these great beasts, always moving away if they headed towards me to ensure my presence didn't alarm them.  By their continued contented munching, I think I was successful in that endeavor.

The big boy was the shyest of the bunch, but even he kept offering me good looks.

Animals with their tongues out are never not funny.  By this point I'd spent more than an hour watching the beautiful animals, and it was time to start my hike.

A funny thing happened after my four-hour hike.  The three biggest bulls had all stuck around and kept eating!  The midday light wasn't as kind, but it did lend a certain menace to the look here.

The starker contrast was a fun challenge to work with.  Fortunately, this fellow was giving me lots of opportunities.

He kept slowly moving closer and closer until I wasn't using the zoom at all and he still filled the frame.

Using the zoom did, however, reveal interesting details.  Even in the shadows.

I even got to catch him having a little scratch.  But the one time he actually lifted his head up fully and looked almost directly at me, I had turned my head at the sound of the dog that had gotten my subject's attention.  With that the bull sauntered off, and I decided I had all the shots I needed.

It was a tough decision not to visit the mountain goats this year, but I believe it turned out to be the right one!

Related Links:

• Brainard Lake, July 2015
• Brainard Lake, July 2014: Part I
• Brainard Lake, July 2014: Part II

Ouzel Falls Trail, December 2019

I always like to try to get in at least one long hike on my trips to Colorado. I'd never done the Ouzel Falls Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park, so that seemed like a solid choice.

The trail is a mile longer in the winter due to the road being closed at a lower parking lot.  Just more time to spend outside on a beautiful Colorado December afternoon!

While the trail had quite a bit of snow, it was packed down enough that I didn't need to use snowshoes.  Microspikes on my hiking boots were sufficient.

Calypso Cascades comes up before Ouzel Falls.  Even covered in snow, I find waterfalls to still be compelling natural features.

Small sections of North St. Vrain Creek were clear of snow, and eye-catching.

Ouzel Falls itself was buried deep in heavy snow, but still beautiful.

I'd hoped to see ice on the actual falls, but these icicles hanging above the trail were a nice consolation prize.

I had planned to turn around once reaching the falls, but there appeared to be an overlook a little farther ahead.  So I pressed on.

My instincts were sound.  The overlook was not far up the trail, and offered a gorgeous view down the valley.

Also striking in portrait orientation, for what it's worth.

The overlook became my new turnaround point, with my path back splendidly lit by the afternoon sun.

One thing I love about winter is how even near midday, the shadows are still long because the sun is so low in the sky.

Calypso Cascades had a different vibe with the sun enjoying a different position in the sky.

The repeated process of freezing and melting leads to interesting structures.

I'm not exactly sure what makes llamas a privileged class, but there you are.

A moose crossed the trail in front of me early in the hike, but I wasn't able to get a decent shot of it.  This was the only other notable "wildlife" I saw the entire day.

Roughly seven miles roundtrip in about four hours, with outstanding weather the entire time.  And I worked up a hearty appetite for some wings and an Old Chub at Oskar Blues in Lyons on my way home.  All in all, a pretty perfect day!