From County Road 96, the South Vrain Trail climbs west along South Saint Vrain Creek. In about two miles, the trail follows an old road, then turns off to the right (north) and climbs to avoid private property. At the top of this climb, the trail crosses an old road with signs to the Stapp Lakes. The Stapp Lakes are on private property with no public access.<br />
At 3.1 miles, South Saint Vrain Trail crosses the Sourdough Trail. The trail continues gently along a little ridge for another mile to an intersection with the Waldrop Trail. The trail drops down and crosses a creek before the Brainard Lake Cutoff Trail forks left (south). The South Saint Vrain Trail crosses a meadow to reach the Mitchell Lake Trailhead spur road north of Brainard Lake.
From Nederland, go north on 72/peak to peak highway.<br /><br />Roughly 3 miles north of Ward take a left on 96(Beaver Res. Rd on google maps). Right after you get on 96 there will be the trailhead on the left, the large sign for the trail is about 20 feet or so off the road so its not VERY apparent, I drove clear past it the first time. Just park along the road.<br /><br />Here's a link to google maps.<br /><br />http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=W+2nd+St%2FCO-72&daddr=Beaver+Res+Rd%2FCounty+Rd-96&geocode=FczHYQIdFAi2-Q%3BFcv1YwIdGmO2-Q&hl=en&mra=ls&sll=40.040232,-105.45639&sspn=0.313312,0.705872&ie=UTF8&t=p&z=11
http://www.tripleblaze.com/trail.php?c=3&i=1084