Overview
Mount Audubon is the most accessible 13,000-foot summit in Indian Peaks Wilderness, reached by an 8-mile out-and-back trail that starts high (10,480 feet at Mitchell Lake Trailhead) and climbs directly to a summit at 13,223 feet. The route is straightforward - no technical sections, no exposed scrambling, no route-finding challenges on a clear day - but the elevation and the distance make it a legitimate strenuous hike rather than a casual outing.
The summit sits above a broad, rocky ridgeline that forms part of the Continental Divide. Views from the top take in Longs Peak to the north (the dominant summit on Rocky Mountain National Park's southern wall), the chain of Indian Peaks summits (Apache, Navajo, Paiute, Pawnee) stretching to the south, and the Brainard Lake basin directly below. On clear days, you can see the Flat Irons above Boulder and the high plains rolling east toward Kansas. It's one of the better summit panoramas in the Front Range, and because you start so high, the total effort is more manageable than the summit elevation suggests.
This trail does not require an Indian Peaks Wilderness overnight permit for day hikers, though the $15 Brainard Lake Recreation Area day-use fee applies. Read about checking conditions before you go to understand how to verify current trail and weather status before your drive up.
The Route
Miles 0 to 1.5: Mitchell Lake Trailhead to the wilderness boundary. The trail leaves the parking area and heads northwest through subalpine forest of Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir. The grade is moderate, a genuine warm-up rather than an immediate wall. You'll pass the Mitchell Lake turnoff at about 0.7 miles; stay left on the Audubon Trail. The forest thins quickly at this elevation, and views of the high peaks above begin opening up.
Miles 1.5 to 2.5: Transition to alpine tundra. Treeline at Brainard Lake sits around 11,000 to 11,400 feet, and this section of trail crosses through it. The krummholz - the twisted, stunted spruce and fir that mark the treeline transition - gives way to open alpine tundra. The trail surface becomes rockier here, with sections of loose scree between more solid granite slabs. The views expand dramatically once you're above the trees.
Miles 2.5 to 3.5: Upper ridge traverse. The trail climbs the south slope of Audubon's broad ridgeline in a series of switchbacks. The grade is consistent and steep. At around 12,400 feet, the trail joins the main ridge and turns north. Wind is common on this section; most days you'll feel it. The ridge walk to the summit is exposed but not technically difficult.
Mile 3.5 to 4.0: Summit. The final push to the 13,223-foot summit follows the ridge on a clear, well-worn path marked by cairns. The summit itself is a broad, flat rocky area with room for several groups. There's a small windbreak of stacked stones. Take time here - the views in every direction reward the effort. Check the sky before lingering. If storms are building to the west, begin your descent immediately.
Descent: Return the same route. The rocky upper sections require attention on the way down; loose rock and steep angles make for awkward footing, particularly when legs are tired. Trekking poles help considerably on the descent.
Permits and Fees
No Indian Peaks Wilderness day-use permit is required for this trail. The Brainard Lake Recreation Area day-use fee ($15 per vehicle, as of 2026) applies from roughly late June through mid-October. The fee station is at the entrance to the recreation area, before the parking lots.
An America the Beautiful pass does not cover the Brainard Lake day-use fee - this is a specific area fee separate from the standard interagency pass system. Confirm current fee structures at recreation.gov or through the Boulder Ranger District before your visit, as the fee structure has changed in recent years.
When to Hike
July through September is the reliable window. Snow typically clears from the upper ridgeline by mid-July in average years, though the summit can hold patches of snow into August after heavy winters. September often brings the clearest skies and fewer hikers; temperatures at the summit can drop into the 30s even in early September, so pack layers.
Start time matters. Afternoon thunderstorms are a regular summer occurrence in Colorado's mountains, and the upper ridge of Audubon is fully exposed above treeline. Plan to reach the summit by 11 AM or noon at the latest, and be below treeline before 1 PM. A 5 or 6 AM trailhead departure is typical for summit hikers. This is not just about weather: the Brainard Lake lots fill by 8 or 9 AM on summer weekends, and a late arrival may mean no parking.
October can work for experienced hikers, but the upper terrain is subject to early snow, and the Brainard Lake Road access closes seasonally. Check conditions through the conditions-checking resources compiled in our guide.
What to Bring
Water: The trailhead has no water. Carry water from home or a water station in Boulder or Ward. Many hikers bring 2 to 3 liters for an 8-mile day at altitude; individual needs vary based on temperature, pace, and body weight. Streams near the trailhead can be filtered but should be treated.
Layers: At 13,000 feet, wind chill can push temperatures well below freezing even in July. A wind shell and an insulating layer are worth carrying even when the morning is warm in the parking lot.
Sun protection: The UV index at 13,000 feet is significantly higher than at sea level. Sunscreen (SPF 50+), sunglasses, and a hat are standard.
Navigation: Download an offline map before leaving cell range. The trail is well-marked on clear days, but in fog or low clouds the upper ridge can be disorienting.
Trekking poles: Useful on the rocky upper sections and especially helpful for the descent.
Altitude Considerations
The Mitchell Lake Trailhead is at 10,480 feet, which is already above altitude thresholds where some visitors experience symptoms. If you're arriving from near sea level, the CDC and wilderness medicine organizations recommend acclimating at a mid-elevation city like Denver or Boulder for at least one night before attempting high-altitude hikes. Individual responses to altitude vary considerably. Common symptoms at this elevation include headache, fatigue, and shortness of breath. If symptoms are severe, descend and seek medical evaluation.
For more on high-altitude hiking safety, consult the CDC's altitude illness guidance or contact a physician before your trip.
Trailhead Access
Mitchell Lake Trailhead is at the end of Brainard Lake Road, about 5 miles west of Ward, Colorado. From Boulder, take US-36 west to Nederland, then CO-72 (Peak-to-Peak Highway) north to Ward. The Brainard Lake Road turnoff is just north of Ward. The road is paved to the recreation area entrance and well-maintained gravel beyond that.
The parking area at Mitchell Lake Trailhead is smaller than the main Brainard Lake lot. It holds about 40 vehicles and fills quickly on summer weekends. Arrive before 7 AM on weekends for a reliable spot. Vault toilets are available at the trailhead. There is no cell service at the trailhead or on the trail.
Before heading up, review Leave No Trace principles and the checking-conditions guide for fire, weather, and road status resources specific to this area.
After the Hike
Ward has no services. Nederland, 10 miles south on CO-72, is the nearest town with food and supplies. Boulder, about an hour from the trailhead, has a full range of post-hike options. For those interested in additional hiking days in Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests, the Pawnee Pass Trail from Long Lake Trailhead (same Brainard Lake access area) offers the next level up in distance and views - a 12-mile out-and-back crossing the Continental Divide at 12,541 feet.