Joins up to the main trail. Rainbow Lakes Trail #918, heads west from the trailhead. Pretty easy hike. Not as busy as the other trailheads nearby. The worst part about this hike is the rocky & pot hole road it takes to get to the trailhead and the lack of parking! Visitors may hike at the Gateway Trailhead, at the closed gate. Okay for a quick trail, but I think you can find much prettier hikes elsewhere if you’re willing to search! Summer Hours: Check this page for road closure status: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/arp/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5339508. County Road 116 - National Forest System Road 298). The Sourdough Trailhead is located .4 miles west of Highway 72 on the south side of Rainbow Lakes Road (a.k.a. The trailhead is for both the Rainbow Lakes and Arapaho Glacier. Look for the University of Colorado Mountain Research Station sign and turn west onto National Forest System Road 298. Activities: Hiking, Backpacking. I played hooky from work on a hot Tuesday in July (Denver, CO) to venture with a friend to Rainbow Lakes, Indian Peak Wilderness, in Arapaho Forest about seven miles north of Nederland, Colorado. Directions to Trailhead: Look for the University of Colorado Mountain Research Station sign. A section of this road passes through private land of the City Of Boulder Watershed. The trail passes through dense forest as it skirts above the campground before passing the Arapaho Glacier Trail. Sat 9 - 3, The Rainbow Lakes Trailhead is located 5 miles west of Highway 72 on Rainbow Lakes Road (a.k.a. Series of 9 connected lakes and beaver ponds that lie in a broad flat beneath the Continental Divide. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons AttributionNonCommercialShareAlike 4.0 International License. Rainbow Lakes hiking trail in Mud Lake, Colorado. Rainbow Lakes Campground is a popular first-come, first-serve campground with 18 campsites in Roosevelt National Forest near Nederland. I got a little carsick! Completed yesterday 10.10.20 Started around 1pm. Leaving Denver around 7, we stopped in quaintly beautiful Nederland for a short break and then headed up to the trailhead. From the ghost town of Caribou, head north on CO 505 (aka Rainbow Lakes Rd) to the southern terminus of the Sourdough Trail or back to Hwy 72. Trail Descirption: Rainbow Lakes Trail heads west from the Rainbow Lakes Trailhead located before the Rainbow Lakes Campground. Luckily, trails and lakes south of Bend still offer the chance for exploration, no matter the weather. Lots of kids. Climbing through the woods for about two miles, the trail exits onto the open tundra with a fine view into the City of Boulder Watershed. Espaces naturels et sauvages à Nederland; Stations de ski et de snowboard à Nederland; Randonnées à Nederland; Plans d'eau à Nederland; Catégories populaires : Nederland. Road was rocky but ok in our Subaru Impreza, Awesome hike! I'd recommend getting there earlier to avoid the rush and extra cars on the road. Located east of the Rainbow Lakes Campground, this newly constructed trailhead provides access to the Rainbow Lakes and Arapaho Glacier Trails inside the Indian Peaks Wilderness. The trail starts at the Rainbow Lakes Trailhead and immediately enters the Indian Peaks Wilderness as it starts the gentle climb towards Rainbow Lakes. Le sentier offre plusieurs activités et sa meilleure utilisation est de juin à octobre. Boulder Ranger District Approximately 7 miles north of Nederland, on Highway 72, turn west onto Rainbow Lakes Road (a.k.a. Super clean facilities; friendly host. Otherwise, a lovely autumn hike with the family. We arrived at 9:30 am on a Saturday and the lot was full but still plenty of space to park on the side of the road and the trail did not feel busy until the last 1/2 mile on the way back. It was darn cold out there. Drive past the Sourdough Trailhead, and after approximately one mile turn left (south) to stay on NFSR 298, following signs for Rainbow Lakes Campground. Continue westward as the pavement ends. The Rainbow Lakes Trailhead is located 5 miles west of Highway 72 on Rainbow Lakes Road (a.k.a. Very easy, beautiful hike. Boys ages 7 & 9 had fun hiking the rocky trail and playing near the lakes. You'll pass through the campground before seeing a large Indian Peaks Wilderness Sign. Trailhead: Fourth of July Trailhead. County Road 116 - National Forest System Road 298). County Road 116, and FDR 298). Rainbow Lakes Trailhead - Located east of the Rainbow Lakes Campground, this newly constructed trailhead provides access to the Rainbow Lakes and Arapaho Glacier Trails inside the Indian Peaks Wilderness. Indian Peaks Wilderness, Rainbow Lakes, Nederland: See 4 reviews, articles, and photos of Indian Peaks Wilderness, Rainbow Lakes, ranked No.12 on Tripadvisor among 17 attractions in Nederland. Traveling west on Rainbow Lakes Road, keep straight past the University of Colorado Mountain Research Station access road and Caribou 4WD turnoff, through the Rainbow Lakes … Elevation: 10,000 feet at the TH; 10,250 feet at highest Rainbow Lake. It soon enters the Indian Peaks Wilderness. There are four lakes. Creative Commons AttributionNonCommercialShareAlike 4.0 International License. Nearby Trails & Campgrounds Leaving Denver around 7, we stopped in quaintly beautiful Nederland for a short break and then headed up to the trailhead. For current information on road openings and closures, check the Road Status Table. From the Rainbow Lakes Trailhead it’s a modest 3.5 miles to that namesake lake, where many day hikers turn around. USDA Forest Service But that was pretty surprising for RB. Restroom at trailhead, Amazing hike today. Just some deep potholes in a dirt county road . This hike consists of a nice relaxing stroll through evergreen forests and Aspen Groves, beautiful in the fall. When leaving there at 10:30am was about 15 still a few spots. Restaurants près de Hessie Trailhead sur Tripadvisor : consultez 413 avis et 806 photos de voyageurs pour connaître les meilleures tables près de Hessie Trailhead à Nederland, Colorado. Description. Keep going another steep 2 miles to Slide Lakes… The trail is an easy hike up to the Rainbow Lakes (elevation 10,200 feet), a series of small lakes and beaver ponds. Nice lakes. Indian Peaks Wilderness, Rainbow Lakes; Mud Lake Trail; Boulder Falls; Roosevelt National Forest; Espaces verts et parcs à Nederland. Rainbow Lakes Campground. She hiked at least 10 miles!! Closest City / Town: Nederland, Colorado. This road is a five-mile, native-surfaced road. Parking lot had about 4 cars at 9am. Super bumpy rocky road out to the trailhead even in an AWD. Loved the campground! You get a glimpse of the mountains but I mostly recommend this for a short, pleasant experience. As posted, this area is private. This route is gated during the winter. Great walk! Keep an eye out for moose...we saw a mother and baby on the trail. County Road 116 - National Forest System Road 298). From Nederland, head north on Colorado Highway 72 for approximately seven miles. County Road 116 - National Forest System Road 298). Go through the town of Eldora. The Rainbow Lakes Trail is a nice family-friendly hike that will - in a short amount of time - take you to four scenic mountain lakes. Jill Homer is with Beat Jegerlehner at Rainbow Lakes. Please note road loading to trail and trail itself may be closed seasonally during the winter and often into the early spring. Driving Directions: From Nederland, turn west off of Highway 119 onto paved County Road 130, following signs for Eldora Ski Resort and the town of Eldora . +5. Dogs required to be on leash. Saw a moose! Vehicle access to this trailhead is seasonal. This hike is gorgeous, saw some fall foliage and beautiful lakes! Hessie Trailhead, Nederland: See 19 reviews, articles, and 48 photos of Hessie Trailhead, ranked No.6 on Tripadvisor among 17 attractions in Nederland. The Rainbow Lakes Trailhead is located 5 miles west of Highway 72 on Rainbow Lakes Road (a.k.a. Hotels near (DEN) Denver Intl Airport; All things to do in Nederland ; Things to do near Hessie Trailhead. Rainbow Lakes Road is located 7.35 miles north of Nederland, CO. Indian Peaks Wilderness, Rainbow Lakes: Indian Peaks Wilderness for a family - See 5 traveller reviews, candid photos, and great deals for Nederland, CO, at Tripadvisor. Length: Rainbow Lakes Trailhead (TH) to the last Rainbow Lake – 1.2 miles ONE-WAY. The campground is primitive; there are vault toilets, but there is no drinking water, electricity, hook-ups, dump stations, or showers. Very pretty! For A high clearance vehicle is recommended. I spiked and snowshoed about 8 miles. Rainbow Lakes Road is located 7.35 miles north of Nederland, CO. Few people and saw a moose! This campground is open mid-June through mid-September and located at 10000 feet at the end of the Rainbow Lakes Road and adjacent to the Indian Peaks Wilderness. Despite the number of cars, the trail didn’t feel super busy. So did Tia! Great place to have a nice relaxing day on the water! I loved this hike, it was really easy and the lakes were beautiful. The trailhead leaves at the Rainbow Lakes Campground, so if you want to plan a trip with the kids, this is a great activity to wear off all those s’mores you ate the night before. Driving Directions. Le sentier longe un lac et sa difficulté est évaluée comme facile. Indian Peaks Wilderness, Rainbow Lakes: Indian Peaks Wilderness for a family - See 5 traveler reviews, candid photos, and great deals for Nederland, CO, at Tripadvisor. This road is closed for winter and typically reopens in June. Look for the University of Colorado Mountain Research Station sign. County Road 116 - National Forest System Road 298). Traveling west on Rainbow Lakes Road, keep straight past the University of Colorado Mountain Research Station access road and Caribou 4WD turnoff, through the Rainbow Lakes Campground to the small parking area at the road's terminus at the trailhead. The trails have minimal elevation gain, are of decent width and are surrounded by wildflowers and pines making for a scenic and lovely scent along the way. Les chiens sont les bienvenus sur ce sentier. This hike starts at the Long Lake Trailhead. But the trail itself was short, sweet, and easy. High clearance vehicles are recommended, though 2WD vehicles should have no problem negotiating the road when conditions are clear. One of my favorite hikes so far. © 2020 AllTrails, Inc. Tous droits réservés. Vehicle access to this trailhead is seasonal. Trail Wiki® is a registered trademark of Trail Wiki, a nonprofit organization. Brrrrr. Hotels near Indian Peaks Wilderness, Rainbow Lakes; Hotels near Wild Bear Nature Center; Hotels near St Rita's Catholic Church; Near Airports. When we left at noon there was basically no parking. Mon-Thur 8 - 4:30 The Rainbow Lakes Trailhead is located 5 miles west of Highway 72 on Rainbow Lakes Road (a.k.a. The first half of the ride is on OHV, and crosses a notable (but rideable) stream. Drive past the Sourdough Trailhead, and after approximately 1 mile turn left (south) on FDR 298, following signs for Rainbow Lakes Campground. Rainbow Lakes Road is located 7.35 miles north of Nederland, CO. Gorgeous views & not very busy on a Friday morning. Good for families. I wasn’t expecting quite as long of a drive down a dirt road into the trail (~4 miles) but it was worth it. Rainbow Lakes Trail est un sentier aller-retour de 2.5 miles très fréquenté situé près de Nederland, Colorado. Traveling west on Rainbow Lakes Road, keep straight past the University of Colorado Mountain Research Station access road and Caribou 4WD turnoff, through the Rainbow Lakes Campground to the small parking area at the road's terminus at the trailhead. Before traveling to … This trail is quite rocky so be mindful if you have bad knees or ankles. Located east of the Rainbow Lakes Campground, this newly constructed trailhead provides access to the Rainbow Lakes and Arapaho Glacier Trails inside the Indian Peaks Wilderness. However, this will add 5 miles round-trip to this hike. Saw a fish jumping in third lake, Nice trail and lakes. Parking at the Gateway Trailhead does not require a fee, as you are parking outside of the recreation area. Ruby Blues set an endurance record. I played hooky from work on a hot Tuesday in July (Denver, CO) to venture with a friend to Rainbow Lakes, Indian Peak Wilderness, in Arapaho Forest about seven miles north of Nederland, Colorado. Fri 8 - 5:30 We decided to do this one after Lake Isabelle’s parking was packed. Very rocky but doable, saw families with all varying ages I was concerned about them tripping. Vehicle access to this trailhead is seasonal. The trail itself is pretty straightforward, follow the signs to Rainbow Lakes. Road to trailhead is rough! For current information on road openings and closures, check the Road Status Table. Hotels near Indian Peaks Wilderness, Rainbow Lakes, Nederland on Tripadvisor: Find 15,544 traveler reviews, 806 candid photos, and prices for 689 hotels near Indian Peaks Wilderness, Rainbow Lakes in Nederland… Hotels near Hessie Trailhead; Hotels near Eldora Mountain Resort; Hotels near Nederland Mining Museum; Hotels near Caribou Ranch Open Space; Hotels near Mud Lake Trail; Hotels near The Carousel of Happiness; Hotels near Indian Peaks Wilderness, Rainbow Lakes; Hotels near … The road in is super rough, very narrow and lots of sharp rocks. Activités de plein air à Nederland Good beginner trail! One of the most eye-popping routes in Boulder County, this 13-mile out-and-back through burly Indian Peaks Wilderness offers a bit of everything Front Range: mountain-rimmed lakes, fields of low bush, aspen groves, coniferous forest, a hidden waterfall, and far-reaching, 360-degree views of Rocky Mountain paradise.. Mud Lake Open Space is a great location during the heat of summer. The earlier you go, the less people of course! Rainbow Lakes Road is located 7.35 miles north of Nederland, CO. 2,003 m blue singletrack trail. Trail Highlights The left fork leads to Rainbow Lakes and is often windblown and icy in patches, but makes a good trip for novices in favorable snow conditions. Reminder to wear your mask when passing on the trail (most people followed this but others did not). It soon enters the Indian Peaks Wilderness. This weekend is gearing up to be cold, rainy and snowy across Central Oregon. Indian Peaks Wilderness, Rainbow Lakes, Nederland: See 5 reviews, articles, and photos of Indian Peaks Wilderness, Rainbow Lakes, ranked No.10 on Tripadvisor among 17 attractions in Nederland. Went on a holiday weekend and there were quite a few groups walking with their dogs and kids. No problem parking 9/15 Tuesday. Vault toilet at trailhead. The first mile and a half rises gently in the forest on the north side of Long Lake. Parking lot was packed but the crowds thinned out a lot on the trail which was good. The trail starts at the Rainbow Lakes Trailhead and immediately enters the Indian Peaks Wilderness as it starts the gentle climb towards Rainbow Lakes. What a day. The trail is an easy, short hike up to the Rainbow Lakes, a series of small … The lakes are beautiful! 28 degrees. (303) 541-2500 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 [FERMÉ], Switerzerland Trail and Sugarloaf Mountain OHV Loop, Achetez Pro pour ceux qui vous sont chers, https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/arp/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5339508. 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! Easy to go a bit off piste in parts. Boulder, CO 80301 It's cooler up in Nederland, the trails are mostly shaded. High clearance vehicles ar… Rainbow Lakes Road is located 7.35 miles north of Nederland, CO. These well-stocked lakes are popular with anglers, and the easy hike in is well-suited for families and backpackers. We will be doing this hike again. Great hike if you're looking for an easy, short hike!! 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