MOUNT PRINCETON HOT SPRINGS RESORT

Rainbow Trail

Length of Hike: 52 miles (Salida Ranger District)

Difficulty Level:  Moderate

Like its namesake, Rainbow Trail arcs through the Sangre de Cristo mountain range providing roughly 100 miles of outdoor fun all the way to the Great Sand Dunes in Alamosa, Colorado. It is used by hikers, horseback riders, and bikers. Several beaver ponds are located along the trail making pools for the occasional moose that are seen in the area. Along the way it alternates climbs and descends through pine and aspen forest, crossing several small creeks and rolling through high alpine meadows with phenomenal views of Mt. Ouray (13,961 ft). This trail was built to enable firefighters to access fires when necessary.

Directions to Rainbow Trail

From Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort, take CR 162 East to Hwy. 285. Hwy 285 South will intersect with Hwy. 50 in Poncha Springs; turn left. Turn right on CR 101 and travel south for 3.5 miles, crossing a cattle guard near the boundary to the National Forest.  The last 1.5 miles to the trailhead are rough and will require a high clearance or 4-wheel drive vehicle. (30-minute drive from Mt. Princeton Hot Springs)