San Isabel National Forest
Brush Lakes Trail #1356

This 7-mile-long, easy-to-moderately difficult trail in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness is busiest in the summer and early fall (especially on weekends and holidays).

Elevations:

• Trail beginning: 8,600'
• High Point: 11,700'
• Trail ending: 11,700'

Access: Just south of Hillside, take Lake Creek Road #198 for about 2 miles to the Forest Service sign for Brush Lakes. Turn left and go to the end of this very rocky road. At the end of the road is the trailhead and the junction with the Rainbow Trail.

Notes: The lowest lake is about 6 miles in from the trailhead, the highest about 7 miles in. These 2 relatively large lakes are just below timberline in the valley between Thirsty Peak (13,213') and Lakes Peak (13,375'). The fishing on these two lakes is rated as fair.

The Crossover Trail continues on beyond the Upper Brush Lake, climbing up the ridge and over into South Branch, then crossing another ridge or three before finally reaching into the South Brush valley, however, the Crossover Trail is neither well-defined nor maintained so if you go there, be good with a map and compass: this high, steep countryside can be very heavy gear.

USGS Maps: Electric Peak