This makes for great views from the road across the valley below.
But this area was large enough for a very large group to gather.The next major landmark along RD 198 is the Cloverdale Mine. You can walk over there as well along a trail it seems, but we didn’t have time to explore that.Take Hwy 69 to Hillside, directly on the south side of town is RD 198. Once in Burstwick head towards Keyingham turn left at mini roundabout into Newbridge Road follow road straight on (single track metalled road) until you see sign for Rainbow Lake turn right and follow gravelled track you will then arrive at the Caravan at the main entrance to the lake. We enjoyed the lake for a few minutes and headed back down the mountain, as we had quite a hike to get back to the cars.
When you have eliminated the JavaScript , whatever remains must be an empty page. This road is rough with some major spots that have large boulders and holes. The primary coordinates for Rainbow Lake places it within the MD 21727 ZIP Code delivery area. Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps. From Colorado Springs: Take highway 24 West. From Denver: Take highway 285 West to highway 24 then turn north to Buena Vista.
There would be campsites at the trailhead, in the trees up to the lake or around the lake. This road is rough with some major spots that have large boulders and holes.
There is a dispersed campsite along the road right next to the lake.
The road winds another 1.8 miles past the Cloverdale mine to the Silver Lake Trailhead. It meets up with an old road for the last part of the climb. The choices are limited only by your time and energy.This short loop has been a popular hiking destination for well over 100 years.The trail down to Rainbow Lake is easy enough for almost any hiker, with a short but more challenging loop around the lake and many options for longer routes. I was able to get my large pickup camper into this location just fine.
Camping at the lake would provide significant exposure to wind and storms.The mine camp is a really interesting place and worth the hike/drive to see it. Rainbow Trail going north towards RD 198.
This requires careful driving and a high clearance 4WD vehicle.We camped at a dispersed campsite .1mi from the Ducket Creek Trailhead on the Rainbow Trail. From the trailhead along Alta Lake Road, walk past the large map of the area and into the forest as you follow the route next to 21 Mile Creek. This was approx.
I recommend you take hiking poles.There is dispersed camping areas scattered along the road – marked by FS posts at several places along the road. From the trailhead, the trail starts through a mixed forest with moderate to severe lodgepole pine beetle kill. Through Fire area Driving – North Lake Creek Road (RD 198). A very large camp area was .75 miles past the intersection where the rainbow trail continues north from Rd 198. Total Mileage: From Ducket Creek Trailhead– 9 miles round-trip to Rainbow Lake, 14.2 miles round-trip to Cloverdale Mine, 17.5 miles round-trip to Silver Lake Driving – North Lake Creek Road (RD 198). The Rainbow Lake Trailhead is on Ohio Avenue on the edge of the golf course near Alexian Village. We followed RD 198 for .5 miles before the Rainbow Trail takes off again to the north. The creek runs from the lake, crosses the trail near tree line and past the trailhead for water. There are fantastic views of the surrounding mountains and back down to the valley way below you.
Directions: Rainbow lake is located 8 miles west of Buena Vista on Highway 306. Kids always seem to love going down to Middle Creek at the suspension bridge.Rainbow Lake was built in 1916 as part of the Signal Mountain Hotel (now Alexian Village) and since that time has remained one of Signal Mountain's most popular outdoor destinations. We stayed on RD 198 and followed it up as it steadily ascended to Rainbow Lake.RD 198 continues through a burn area for over a mile. Upstream is the 1916 dam, the water usually cascading over its top. The hike to Rainbow Lake follows a portion of Rainbow Lake Trail #1130, which runs from the Rainbow Lake trailhead to its terminus with the Wyoming Trail #1101 (Continental Divide Trail).