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Rainbow Trail-Bonanza Loop
For 100 miles from the Continental Divide southwest of Salida to Music Pass, south of Westcliffe, the Rainbow Trail extends along the east side of the Sangre do Cristo Mountains. The trail offers an outstanding trip for riders with a wide variety of terrain and forest settings; it also offers some excellent scenery and viewpoints along with numerous side trails to streams, lakes, and mountain peaks.
The Bonanza Loop is the only opportunity to ride a loop on the Rainbow Trail. Other trail options are limited to point-to-point or out-and-back trips. This is arguably the best section of the trail, particularly from the west side of the Hwy. 285 junction to the trail’s conclusion at the Otto Mears Toll road. Once entering the Toll Road, you’ll find the going easy, but filled with the history of early mining.
Returning over Hayden Pass is challenging on the south side and steep, but smooth on the north side with some awesome views of the Arkansas Valley along the way. This trail and the accompanying mileages are described here from the Rainbow Trail Head accessed at Hayden Creek. This route can also be started at the Hwy. 285 Junction of Rainbow Trail or at Villa Grove, or run in reverse. You may find the reverse route to be easier as the most challenging sections will be downhill. Simply adjust the section mileages as necessary for your route. Bailout and fuel mileages are not included in the route description.
:VIEW PHOTOS
Miles |
Directions |
|---|---|
0.0 |
Head northwest on Rainbow Trail from Hayden Creek |
10.9: |
Bailout at Hunt’s Trail Intersection. You can return to Hwy. 50 at Howard (no fuel). |
22.5 |
CR 108 intersection. Bailout to Salida for fuel. About three miles each way. Note: As you crest Poncha Peak, you have reached the high point of this trail, 10,134’. |
32.3 |
Cross Hwy 285. Best spot for fuel or food. Head north on Hwy. 285 to Poncha Springs (5 miles each way). |
42.9 |
Left onto FR201 |
43.1 |
Left onto Otto Mears Toll Road #869 (also known as Squirrel Creek Rd). |
49.9 |
:Stay Right. Stay on #869 to Bonanza |
50.8 |
Stay Right. |
51.8 |
Exchequer Town site and Cemetery. |
54.2 |
Bonanza. Check out info board in center of town to see mining site tour loops. |
68.2 |
Right on Hwy 285 to Villa Grove. |
68.4 |
Left. on unmarked dirt road leads to Hayden Pass, over Hayden Pass to finish. |
80.1 |
Finish. |
POINTS OF INTEREST: : Bonanza Historic Town, Graveyards at Bonanza and Exchequer, Mining Remnants.
TRAIL DESCRIPTION: Rainbow Trail varies between rocky and semi-technical to smooth and fun singletrack. Otto Mears Toll Road to Villa Grove is smooth Jeep Road, Hayden Pass is extremely rocky and steep on south side. License plate recommended from Bonanza to Villa Grove and also if you need to drop into Salida or Poncha Springs for fuel.
TRAIL CNNECTS TO:: South Rainbow Trail, Road System into Gunnison NF.
HOW TO GET THERE: Hwy. 50 to Coaldale, then CR 6 to Hayden Creek CG.
DIFFICULTY:: Novice+ on single-track, Novice on roads, Intermediate on South Hayden Pass climb.
TOTAL LOOP MILEAGE: 80 mi. without detours into Salida or Poncha Springs. Additional exploring opportunities around Bonanza..
SERVICES: Full Services in Salida, fuel and food in Poncha Springs, Convenience store with no fuel in Villa Grove.
ALTITUDE: 7,500’-10,000’
SEASON: June-October.
MAPS: National Geographic #138* or USFS San Isabel for Rainbow trail, and National Geographic #139* or USFS Rio Grande for Bonanza Area Roads.
*Recommended
CAMPGROUNDS: Hayden Creek, Marshall Pass Rd.
OTHER ACTIVITIES:: Rafting and Fishing on Arkansas River, excellent dining opportunities in Salida, Royal Gorge and Royal Gorge Scenic Railway near Canon City.
CONTACT INFO: : USFS Salida District Office (719) 539-3591 and USFS Saguache District Office (719) 655-2547.
