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

Cheesman Canyon

My hike to Elk Falls made me optimistic that there was more water still to be seen.  I decided to give Cheesman Canyon a shot and see how the South Platte River was doing.

Good news.  The river was doing quite well. :)

There weren't too many wildflowers blooming just yet.  Lambert's Locoweed was the first I saw.

As the morning warmed up, the Prairie Lizards came out to soak up some sun.  Most were really tiny.  This guy was the biggest I saw, and roughly a whopping six inches or so from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail.

I spotted a mother Common Merganser with a small crew of babies on the river.  Unfortunately, she spotted me as well and hastily took her brood downstream to safety.  The only shots I got were from quite a distance away and not well exposed, so I decided to get creative with my favorite of the bunch.  I'm not disappointed with the result!

Most of the canyon trail is up above the river, providing some great overlooks down to the water.

The ruggedness of this stretch of the river is special, with sizable boulders sprinkled liberally in the water.

I was delighted to see a pair of American Dippers working on a nest in one of those boulders.  The light unfortunately frustrated me in getting great shots of the birds themselves.  But it was really cool to see them taking turns gathering moss and adding it to their home.

I had never heard of Blue-Water Speedwell before uploading this image to iNaturalist, but I loved seeing this flower blooming right in the river.

The clouds started to gather as I made my way back to the trailhead, but just enough to enhance the views of the river.

I didn't notice all the Blue Columbine along the trail on the outward portion of my trek, but was delighted to see them on my way back.

I did notice this sad-looking Fragrant Evening Primrose, and made sure to capture it in all its wiltedness.

Exactly six miles (AllTrails, as usual, underestimates the trail at only 5.6 miles) in a leisurely 2:31, and I thoroughly enjoyed all of it.  I look forward to coming back, possibly in winter to see its beauty in another season!

Lovell Gulch to White Gulch Loop

Wildflower season is over, and foliage season hasn't started yet.  But I still needed to get out to hike and shoot some pictures.  The Woodland Park area has been a favorite of mine of late, and that's where I found the Lovell Gulch to White Gulch Loop on AllTrails.

Bristly Beard Lichen adorned some of the trees.

The first few turning aspen leaves of the season had fallen, decorated with water droplets.

No wildlife to speak of other than a Fremont's Squirrel who just wanted to be eat in peace.

With still a week left in summer, some vegetation like this Woods' Rose were getting a head start on their fall wardrobes.

I didn't realize that wild roses put out fruit like this.

Most wildflowers had long since past blooming, but not this Common Toadflax.

The trail doesn't have much elevation gain.  But it's always nice when the roots provide steps on the ascents.

Not much in the way of sweeping vistas other than this one quick peak peek to the west.

The highlight of the hike was chatting with a local who advised a nearby location for "spectacular foliage" in a couple of weeks.  Until then, this preview from an aspen grove that just can't wait for the change of season will have to do.

Roughly 6.3 miles in about 2:40.  A decent pace without too many photo stops in comfortable conditions.  Now, bring on fall!

Mueller State Park

 I really like the Woodland Park area (Cafe Leo has awesome coffee and terrific bagel sandwiches).  And I really like our state parks.  So I indulged both last month with my first visit to Mueller State Park.

AllTrails recommended the Rock Pond, Rock Canyon, and Outlook Ridge Trails Loop, which the ranger in the Visitor Center validated as a solid choice.  And right away, some great views presented themselves.

There were also some great smaller views, like this Edwards's Fritillary... 

...and this Lanceleaf Stonecrop.

A curious Fremont's Squirrel didn't immediately scurry off as I captured its likeness.

Wildflowers were still popping, like Fragrant Evening Primrose...

...and Prickly Wild Rose, this one also popular with pollinators.

I had been looking for lakes, but settled for several picturesque ponds.  The first was Brook Pond, where I got down on my belly to capture some wildflowers in the foreground.

The pond looks just as good in landscape view.

Some beautifully blooming Rocky Mountain Beardtongue on the way to the next pond.

Cool reflection at Rock Pond of, presumably, its namesake rock.

Geer Pond comes up third, with a nicely placed rock and wildflowers to aid in composition.

I don't mind the wind ripples breaking up the smoothness of the lake surface.  Adds some authenticity to the scene.

It's always a treat to see Columbines on hikes.  They're like the cool kids of Colorado wildflowers.

Lost Pond is the final pond, and I don't know why it has that name.  Maybe it dries up in dry seasons?

One final vista from Outlook Ridge as the clouds rolled in, then I finished up the 5.7-mile trail in a tidy 2:53.  A truly terrific hike, capped off with a stop at the aforementioned Cafe Leo for a Dirty Chai and Spicy Avo on my way home!

Carpenter Peak, June 2025: Part II

The hike to the summit was really comfortable.  The early hour coupled with the several shaded sections of the trail ensured I didn't get overheated on the ascent.  And I still had nice, low, warm light to show all the many wildflowers blooming.

Osha...

...Sidebells Penstemon...

...Scarlet Gilia...

...and Silvery Lupine.

Views from the summit were solid.  The few early clouds had all burned off.

A Rock Squirrel seemed to offer me a flower on the descent.

As the sun rose, the light started to get bright and harsh for any more shots of wildflowers like this Western Spiderwort.

One final snap of some more Silvery Lupine, and it was time to focus on just finishing up the hike.  I ended up doing the 6.76 miles and 1,054 feet of elevation gain in 3:36, which is about typical for me when I'm taking pictures on a hike.  Another Colorado morning well spent!

Related Links:

• Roxborough State Park, February 2014: Fountain Valley Trail, Part I
• Roxborough State Park, February 2014: Fountain Valley Trail, Part II
• Roxborough State Park, October 2014
• Roxborough State Park, January 2019: Fountain Valley Trail
• Roxborough State Park, January 2019: Willow Creek Trail
• Carpenter Peak, June 2025: Part I