Blue Lake and Little Blue Lake via Mitchell Lake Trail

The road to this trailhead is not open during the fall and summer. The Gateway Trailhead is just outside the closed gate. The trail has 5 miles added to it. The parking at the Gateway is free. The Brainard Lake Recreation Area is where this trail starts. There is a fee to enter this area. You will see two major lakes on the hike, as well as several other streams and small ponds. There is a lot of wildlife and flowers that offer great pictures. You can see the Continental Divide closer to it. You could do it in 3 hours, even though it is listed as a half day hike.