A leaden overcast sky portended a Saturday morning that would soon turn rainy, yet dozens of cars formed a line at the Brainard Lake entrance station with occupants hoping they would eventually get into one of the most picturesque destinations in the Front Range. Alas, the odds were against them. TheBrainard Lake Recreation Area typically is a very popular place in the summer, but increased demand coupled with COVID-19 restrictions has made it even more difficult to manage this year.