Brainard Lake Winter Lot — Attraction in Nederland

If you’re considering a hike with your furry friends, let me tell you about our recent adventure on the Sourdough Trail to South St. Vrain Trail loop in Ward, Colorado. It’s about an hour and 20-minute drive from Denver, which is a bit farther than we usually go, but I saw it on AllTrails and had to give it a try. Spoiler alert: totally worth it!

The drive up was smooth until about 35 minutes out when my cell service decided to take a vacation. No GPS, no problem, right? Wrong. On the way back, I was driving blindly toward Denver. If you rely on GPS as much as I do, I highly recommend downloading your route beforehand. The map on AllTrails helped us navigate the trail but was no help getting back to civilization.

We arrived around 8:30 AM to an almost empty parking lot. The weather was perfect, a cool 64°F compared to Denver’s blazing 100°F. The trail was a lush, whimsical wonderland with towering Ponderosa Pines and Douglas Firs. Wildflowers like columbines and lupines added vibrant splashes of color, making the scenery even more enchanting.

A fun fact about the Sourdough Trail: it’s part of the Brainard Lake Recreation Area, known for its stunning alpine scenery and diverse wildlife. We heard a chorus of birds and even spotted a Colorado Hairstreak butterfly. The area is rich with native plants such as Rocky Mountain Maple and Quaking Aspen, which added to the trail’s magical feel.

Halfway through our hike, we stopped at Red Rock Lake. The crystal-clear water was too tempting to resist, so we took a quick dip. Finding a good spot to relax was a bit tricky due to the tall grass and marshy areas. Initially, there were people at the only picnic table, so we tried to find another spot. Unfortunately, the mosquitoes had other plans, so we made our way back to the now-vacant picnic table.

Despite a few mosquito bites, the lake was a serene spot for a break. Clean, usable bathrooms at the trailhead were a pleasant surprise, and the lack of any unpleasant odors was a major plus. Facilities like these always make the hike more enjoyable.

Overall, the Sourdough Trail to South St. Vrain Trail loop is a fantastic hike for dog owners and nature lovers alike. The stunning scenery and refreshing weather make the drive worthwhile. Just remember to download your maps, pack some bug spray, and enjoy the beautiful outdoors!...

I've been hiking/snowshoeing/skiing/camping this area since the early 1970s and have enjoyed it immensely at all times of the year. The road was narrow and full of potholes. The winter parking used to hold about 15 cars max if the snowplow made its rounds. Snowshoers and skiers all used the same two trails into Brainard Lake. Us skiers liked to see a group of snowshoers on the trail as they groomed the trail for us. I still enjoy the area, but many things are different now with the larger crowds. Wider/smoother roads that need speedhumps, monstrous parking lots for hoards of people. Skiers don't want anyone else on their trails. No camping in the summer except in Pawnee Campground with reservations. But there is still beauty and solitude if you know...

Looking for some great winter activity? Brainard Lake Winter Lot is the gateway for wonderful adventures. There is ample parking, vault toilets and access to numerous trails. Best of all, you can take your dog(s).

You can hike, snowshoe, XC ski and Backcountry ski with great views. On a recent Friday in February there were plenty of parking spaces. We had planned to snowshoe but found the main trail to the lake was well packed and we opted for micro-spikes instead. It was a good choice. They prevented us from sliding around while we didn’t have to do any “post holeing” to navigate the trail.

Do yourself a favor if you are looking for a winter break and...