Crosier Mountain Rainbow Trailhead (#981)
- fs.usda.gov
- Estes Park
- Open now · open 24 hours
About
Rainbow is the shorter, steeper, quieter way up Crosier Mountain, a gravel cut on the south side of the road well past Drake. The Forest Service says it's the least used of the three trailheads. Expect to be climbing almost from the start.
The Rainbow trailhead (#981) is 5.5 miles from Drake, at a gravel cut on the south side of the county road, in Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest. The Forest Service says the Rainbow approach is shorter but steeper than the others, running about two miles before it joins the Glen Haven trail. After that it's the same steep half mile to the summit, around 9,250 feet. There are no restrooms or potable water. The Colorado Mountain Club gives the Glen Haven route as about 8 miles round trip with 2,400 feet of gain, so don't assume Rainbow is easy just because it's shorter.
If you want less company, this is your trailhead. I'd still tell someone where you're going, since it's the least used. Colorado Parks and Wildlife issued safety advice after a fatal mountain lion attack on the Crosier Mountain trail in January 2026: stay alert, hike in groups, skip the headphones, and keep dogs leashed. The trail reopened after that, with warning signs posted, but check the Forest Service page for current alerts before you go. Pack water, and pull your car fully off the gravel so you don't block anyone.
