AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Indian Peaks Wilderness

Rainbow Lakes–Arapaho Glacier Trail, 3 sights

2.5 mi · ▲ 314 ft · 59 min

Rainbow Lakes–Arapaho Glacier Trail, 3 sights is a 2.5-mile out-and-back in Indian Peaks Wilderness near Caribou City, CO. The route passes Rainbow Lakes before reaching Rainbow Lakes at the turnaround, 1.2 miles in. It climbs 314 ft, with sections as steep as 15% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 62/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi9,958 – 10,273 ft · steepest grade: 15%2.7 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Arapaho Glacier Connector Trail 40.00972, -105.56886
Nearest town Caribou City, CO
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Rainbow Lakes–Arapaho Glacier Trail, 3 sights

2.5 mi · ▲ 314 ft · 59 min

Elevation 9,959–10,273 ft

Out & Back · Indian Peaks Wilderness

Trailhead: Arapaho Glacier Connector Trail · 40.00972, -105.56886

Weather Sep 4: Rain, high 71°F / low 51° · precip 17% · wind 4 mph · sunrise 6:34 AM · sunset 7:31 PM

Dogs allowed on leash · Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Arapaho Glacier Connector Trail, heading SE.
  2. 0.3 miBear left onto Arapaho Glacier Trail, heading W.
  3. 50 ftContinue straight onto Rainbow Lakes Trail, heading SW.
  4. 50 ftContinue straight onto Arapaho Glacier Campground Connector Trail, heading W.
  5. 50 ftContinue straight onto Rainbow Lakes Trail, heading SW.
  6. 0.4 miPass Rainbow Lakes.
  7. 0.2 miTurn right, heading W.
  8. 0.4 miReach Rainbow Lakes, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  9. 0.4 miTurn left, heading SE.
  10. 0.6 miContinue straight onto Arapaho Glacier Campground Connector Trail, heading SE.
  11. 50 ftContinue straight onto Rainbow Lakes Trail, heading E.
  12. 50 ftContinue straight onto Arapaho Glacier Trail, heading E.
  13. 50 ftBear right onto Arapaho Glacier Connector Trail, heading NE.
  14. 0.2 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/rainbow-lakes-out-back

Trail surface

100% dirt

Weather

RainTemperature 71°F51°
Precip17%Wind4 mphUV8Humidity50%
Rained 0.1″ 5 days ago
Hourly temperatureRain chance
75°50° 2 PM: 1% rain3 PM: 4% rain4 PM: 17% rain5 PM: 13% rain6 PM: 16% rain7 PM: 6% rain8 PM: 14% rain9 PM: 12% rain10 PM: 7% rain11 PM: 2% rain
Sunrise 6:34 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PMSunset 7:31 PM
Sat 68°50° 19%
Sun 72°53° 56%
Mon 67°48° 45%
Tue 69°45° 33%
Wed 70°47° 38%
Thu 70°47° 42%

Good to know

  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Arapaho Glacier Connector Trail Trailhead

Hikes near Caribou City, Colorado