Super clean facilities; friendly host. Nice lakes. Lots of kids. This trail lies within the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area: Best season for hiking is July - October. Boys ages 7 & 9 had fun hiking the rocky trail and playing near the lakes. Photo: Wikimedia, Public domain. It soon enters the Indian Peaks Wilderness. No problem parking 9/15 Tuesday. Nicole Blanchard [email protected] Helpful. Indian Peak Wilderness restrictions apply: Lakes and streams; treat water for drinking. Address: Nederland, Colorado 80466 GPS: 40.01, -105.571 View on Map Local Directions: From Nederland, head west on Colorado Highway 72 for approximately seven miles. While the main trail does not reach every lake, well-defined social trails and a good map will help you explore this small but interesting area. I got a little carsick! Mon-Thur 8 - 4:30 There's a nice waterfall and creek at the bottom of the trail. Rainbow Lakes Trail is a 2.6 mile back trail located near Nederland, Colorado that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. Saw a fish jumping in third lake, Nice trail and lakes. Little Rainbow Lake from the Rainbow Basin Trail in the Boise National Forest on July 27, 2019. Camping is allowed at Hanging Lake, which is 1.5km beyond Rainbow Lake. See more ideas about Nederland colorado, Colorado, Colorado travel. Length: Rainbow Lakes Trailhead (TH) to the last Rainbow Lake – 1.2 miles ONE-WAY. Rainbow Lake is a beautiful trail, and it's pretty easy. Although this trail is in the Indian Peaks Wilderness (Roosevelt National Forest), the trail starts in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area. It is difficult to get down to the shore of the 2nd lake due to all of the rocks so be careful with where you're stepping! We will be doing this hike again. Parking Pass/Entry Fee Northwest Forest Pass. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from June until October. USDA Forest Service The trail itself is pretty straightforward, follow the signs to Rainbow Lakes. Turn left off the main trail and descend 0.4 miles to Island Lake, or hang a right and drop a half mile to Rainbow Lake. When leaving there at 10:30am was about 15 still a few spots. Nearby Trails & Campgrounds The Rainbow Lake Trail provides access to one of the park's steepest passes, Bowan Pass, as well as deep blue Rainbow Lake. USFS: From Nederland, head north on Colorado Highway 72 for approximately seven miles. Rainbow Lakes Road is located 7.35 miles north of Nederland, CO. Good beginner trail! Many of these trees have been cut down. The trailhead's elevation is 9,080 feet. From mid-October to mid-June the road to the trailhead is closed. Ruidoso, NM 88345 575-682-2551, Guadalupe District It is primarily a backpacker or advanced stock use trail, since it lies deep within the park and is accesed via several other trails. A small sign marks a left-hand turn 200 feet from the trailhead and the pine and aspen cover gets thicker as the trail continues climbing northwest toward your first lake view. Rainbow Lakes Trail hike Map Look for the University of Colorado Mountain Research Station sign and turn west onto National Forest System Road 298. The earlier you go, the less people of course! The trail starts at the Rainbow Lakes Trailhead and immediately enters the Indian Peaks Wilderness as it starts the gentle climb towards Rainbow Lakes. Look for the University of Colorado Mountain Research Station sign and turn west onto National Forest System Road 298. Easy to go a bit off piste in parts. We decided to do this one after Lake Isabelle’s parking was packed. Small fields surround the … Great walk! The nearest weather station for both precipitation and temperature measurements is STEAMBOAT SPRI which is approximately 16 miles away and has an elevation of 6,636 feet (3,272 feet lower than Rainbow Lake Trail). You'll continue a further mile along the south slopes of Pratt Mountain to a high point. Very nice easy hike. Parking lot was packed but the crowds thinned out a lot on the trail which was good. Lake is pretty and definitely worth the crappy parking situation. A backcountry permit is required to camp overnight in North Cascades National Park. Look for the University of Colorado Mountain Research Station sign and turn west onto National Forest System Road 298. Rainbow Lake is a beautiful trail, and it's pretty easy. There are four lakes. The lakes are beautiful! The first lake is on the left side of the trail to the south, perfect for swimming and fishing in the summer. Okay for a quick trail, but I think you can find much prettier hikes elsewhere if you’re willing to search! Easy hike! It provides access to the southeastern portion of the 159,935 acre Mount Zirkel Wilderness via trail#1130, the Rainbow Lake Trail. Restroom at trailhead, Amazing hike today. South Arapahoe Peak via Arapahoe Glacier Trail, Fourth of July Mine via Arapaho Pass Trail, South Arapaho Peak via Arapaho Glacier Trail, Tungsten and Kinnickinnick Loop at Mud Lake, Goose Lake, Island Lake and Silver Lake [CLOSED], Switerzerland Trail and Sugarloaf Mountain OHV Loop, https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/arp/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5339508. Great place to have a nice relaxing day on the water! I loved this hike, it was really easy and the lakes were beautiful. Trail Descirption:Rainbow Lakes Trail heads west from the Rainbow Lakes Trailheadlocated before the Rainbow Lakes Campground. Not as busy as the other trailheads nearby. Used from June until October terrible and makes an already narrow road worse or! 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