Little Rainbow Trail
Hiking & Hot Springs
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)
10 Hiking Essentials
- Water (1.5 Liters per person per 5-6 hours)
- Snacks (Beef Jerky, nuts, power bar)
- Navigation (map and compass and/or GPS)
- Sunscreen
- Extra clothing (hat, socks, gloves)
- First aid supplies
- Light (headlamp or flashlight)
- Fire starter and matches/lighter
- CD Rom or mirror, whistle, mosquito repellant
- Emergency shelter (Biffy Bag)
LOCAL HIKES.
12 popular trailheads in the Nathrop area with hikes for all abilities and age levels. Surrounding areas have additional options for exploring our beautiful valley.
Surrounding Towns
Buena Vista, Colorado
Buena Vista, Colorado is just 9 miles from Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort. This unique mountain town is located on the Arkansas River. There are many shopping opportunities along with restaurants, a brewery and a distillery. LEARN MORE
Salida, Colorado
Salida, Colorado is 21 miles from the resort. This is Colorado's largest National Historic District. Dine on the banks of the Arkansas River and explore the many art galleries in this historic downtown. This area was named Colorado's first Creative Arts District. LEARN MORE