Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest
Arapaho-Glacier Trail #905

Rainbow Lakes Trailhead to:

• Arapaho Glacier Overlook: 6.0 miles
• Fourth of July Mine: 7.8 miles
• Rainbow Lakes: 1.0 mile (all distances are one way)

Elevations:

• 10,000' at the Rainbow Lakes Trailhead
• 12,700' at the Arapaho Glacier Overlook
• 11,200' at the Fourth of July Mine
• 10,250' at the highest of the Rainbow Lakes

This trail is heavily used June through October (open year round)

Rating: More difficult

USGS Maps: Ward and Monarch Lake quads

The trailhead is about seven miles north of Nederland, on Highway 72, turn west onto Rainbow Lakes Road (County Road 116, or National Forest System Road (NFSR) 298). Look for the University of Colorado Mountain Research Station sign. Drive past the Sourdough Trailhead, and after approximately one mile turn left (south) on NFSR 298, follow the signs for the Rainbow Lakes Campground.

This is a rough, native-surfaced road and it's about five miles from Highway 72 to the trailhead. High clearance vehicles are recommended, although passenger cars and other vehicles, driven slowly, should have no problem negotiating the road. Trailhead parking is at the west end of the Rainbow Lakes Campground.

The trail leads northward from the trailhead, entering the Indian Peaks Wilderness. It climbs through the woods for about two miles, then comes out onto the open tundra with a great view into the City of Boulder Watershed, including Silver Lake, Island Lake, Goose Lake and Triple Lakes. As this is all private property, do not trespass. After more switchbacks, the trail crosses a col to the south side. From here the trail is seldom used and can be obscure in places as it continues along the side of the ridge. At the highest point on the trail (six miles from the trailhead), the hiker is offered a spectacular overlook of the Arapaho Glacier, South Arapaho (13,397') and North Arapaho (13,502') Peaks. Although no official trail exists, it is possible to ascend South and North Arapaho Peaks by following the ridge above the glacier. (The climb to South Arapaho Peak is straightforward rock-hopping. From South to North Arapaho Peak, some scrambling is necessary, and there is a bit of exposure. This does not require technical climbing or equipment, but the narrow ridge is steep and rocky.) Past the glacier overlook, the Arapaho Glacier Trail descends 1,300' down a series of switchbacks to intersect the Arapaho Pass Trail at the Fourth of July Mine. Arapaho Pass is 1.2 miles farther west.