Located in Summit County at just over 9,000 feet above sea level, Frisco, Colorado is a mountain town that most people drive through on their way to Breckenridge. It only took one visit when we lived in Denver to realize it was our kind of town!
With its proximity to Breck and Copper Mountain along Interstate 70, Frisco offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities year-round.
The next time you’re in Frisco and want a short, easy, family-friendly hike that you can walk to town, take the time to hike to Rainbow Lake via the Peaks Trail.
To really understand how fantastic the Frisco area is, we came from southwest Utah, where we were living at the time, to spend a few days for our anniversary in Frisco. The hike to Rainbow Lake was a great way to spend a morning while our legs were still tired from a longer trip the day before.
Below, we’ll look at some of the highlights of the Rainbow Lake Trail so you can decide if you want to add it to your bucket list.
But first, how to get there…
How to Get to Rainbow Lake Trailhead
If you’re staying in Frisco closer to Main Street, I suggest walking to the Rainbow Lake trailhead off 2nd Avenue. and S. Cabin Green. There is parking, but why take a space or waste gas if you don’t need it.
However, if you’re staying at one of the hotels or vacation rentals near I-70, driving might be a better option.
The Ten Mile Canyon Recreational Trail passes right by the trailhead, so you have plenty of options for accessing many of the Frisco area hiking trails.
Rainbow Lake via Peaks Trail #45
Technically, there is no Rainbow Lake Trail since this trail is part of the Peaks Trail which would take you from Frisco to Breckenridge. But since so many people enjoy hiking to Rainbow Lake, everyone will know what you’re talking about if you ask around town.
As mentioned above, the hike to Rainbow Lake is the perfect trail for kids. It’s only 2 miles round trip, and as mountain hikes go, it’s relatively flat with less than 300 feet of elevation change.
Along the way, you’ll walk along a boardwalk through aspen trees and woodpiles and get beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.
Some sections of the trail will be rocky with roots everywhere, so wear supportive hiking shoes to avoid twisting your ankle.
We extended our hike a little past Rainbow Lake to Miners Creek Rd. If you continue you will enter the steeper sections of Peaks Trail towards Breck.
Now that you know more about this hiking trail in Frisco, Colorado, let’s get to it…
From Rainbow Lake Trailhead
The hike was muddy in sections like this initially due to recent snowmelt. I know it can be tempting to wander there, but I also know you want to practice good trail etiquette, so go out there and get your boots dirty!
Several sections along the Peaks Trail connect to other hikes in the White River National Forest area. Plan ahead if you want to extend your hike to Rainbow Lake.
You may have missed it, but there is/was a sign at the trailhead providing information about these woodpiles. In a nutshell, this is how the United States Forest Service helps reduce wildfires.
Unfortunately, these are beetle-killed trees, so they are best cleared in this part of the White River National Forest. The Forest Service lets them dry for a year, then conducts a controlled burn in winter.
There are views of snow-capped mountains in all directions along the Peaks Trail leading to Rainbow Lake. It’s hard to believe you’re barely a mile from Frisco at this point. But it’s easy to see why this part of Colorado is so special.
On our hike to Rainbow Lake, we decided to pass it a bit and join Miners Creek Road and Miners Creek, where the Peaks Trail extends to Breckenridge.
You can even connect to the 567-mile Colorado Trail that runs from Denver to Durango. Of course, you don’t want to have eyes bigger than your stomach!
From here you can either continue or turn around and return to the trailhead.
Since most of this section is easy and won’t take up much of your day, you might as well bring your lunch, find a dry log to sit on, and soak in the scenery. With the views of the mountains and the sounds of Miners Creek, it’s hard to beat a hike to Rainbow Lake in Frisco, Colorado!