Rainbow #1336

This trail is most commonly ridden in 2 ways;nn1. as a 11.3 mile singletrack extension of the Monarch Crest Trail after Silver Creek Trail, heading east, to Hwy 285/Mears Junction, before rolling down into Poncha Springs. Although the elevation profile makes this section of the Rainbow trail look relatively mild, tired legs make for a hard ride after Monarch Crest/Silver Creek.nn2. as part of a 20.5 mile loop, the Hwy 285/Mears Junction - County Rd 47YY/Silver Creek Rd - Rainbow Trail loop. Park at the end of this section of the Rainbow trail at Hwy 285/Mears Junction, ride up County Rd 47YY/Silver Creek Rd, which is a fairly easy gradual climb and only gets hard near the end, right before the Rainbow trailhead. Then ride the Rainbow trail back to Hwy 285/Mears Junction with fresher legs; this is a favorite loop for the locals, early in the season, before the Monarch Crest opens up in late June early July.nnLook for the Rainbow Trail sign just off the County Rd 47YY/Toll Road Gulch, on the South side.nnHeading east the trail begins as a mellow ride before it gets to several creek crossings, with increasingly steeper and narrow switchback climbs out of those creek/drainages. As this is an older horse/moto trail some of the uphill grades aren't very mountain bike friendly and these short climbs require good bursts of energy to clean. No shame in walking any of them.nBasically the trail turns into the hill, then climbs back out onto the sides where great views provide a mental break, before slowly dipping down on some fast & beautiful sections of skinny singletrack. Rinse & Repeat.nAfter 7 or so miles the character changes and the trail becomes rougher & rockier, both on the uphills and especially on the extended downhills. If you're tired, this is where you'd crash. Where in the past the trail finished by going almost straight down the last hill to Hwy 285 (with a few awkward switch-backs), the Forest Service has rerouted this last section by adding almost a mile long contour trail, with longer turns and better flow. This new section is narrow and a blast to ride. It continues until the trail dumps you out on Hwy 285 @ Mears Junction.nEither roll down the hill to Poncha Springs or Salida, or open up that cold beer stored in the cooler in your car if you did the loop. Or, cross the road and continue on the Rainbow Trail, if you're crazy enough....

NOTE: Dirt bikes are allowed on the Rainbow Trail, please don't get upset with their presence. This section of the Rainbow trail is adopted by the Central Colorado Mountain Riders and they make it possible for everyone to enjoy this trail. Give dirt bikes space to pass, signal how many are in your group, and enjoy your ride.

Moto perspective: From US285, the trail rounds a hairpin and goes steeply up with a handful of ledgy steps to climb. These steps provide an “entrance exam” to the remainder of the trail. If you can get up them with a slightly aggressive but steady throttle hand, the subsequent chunk should not be a problem. After leaving the old railroad grade, the (updated) trail climbs in a large hairpin through exceptional open landscape. After two miles, the trail enters woods and climbs 400 feet in a section that is not too steep but very chunky. Bedrock masses must be ridden between or over, requiring throttle control and including skid plate sounds. After six miles, the trail becomes more classically Rainbow, contouring along the Silver Creek valley and plunging into side valleys with streams in most. While this section is mostly dirt tread, it is narrow enough with occasional chunk that attention must be maintained. One roller coaster plunge into and out of a valley is close to 30% and requires good throttle control. No significant switchbacks. Rated black for the hazards of a narrow trail and chunky sections, but the skills required are intermediate with no great demands on balance or outlandish throttle finessing.