Rainbow Creek Trail
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
Dead standing trees (snags) in the burn zone can topple without warning, especially during wind events — avoid lingering or camping near tall burned trunks.
Creek crossings can run high and fast during snowmelt in June and early July; trekking poles and water shoes earn their weight on this route.
The trail can be faint and overgrown in sections beyond the burn zone — carry a detailed topo map or GPS track, as signage is minimal in the backcountry stretches.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
Start from the Rainbow Creek trailhead off Highway 20 near milepost 159 — parking is a small pullout that fills fast on summer weekends, so arrive before 8 AM or go midweek.
Carry a filter or treatment system — Rainbow Creek is your best water source along the route, but there is no guaranteed flow late in the season when snowmelt tapers off by September.
The burn zone creates wide-open sightlines that are spectacular for photography in the golden hour — the contrast of blackened snags against alpenglow on the surrounding peaks is unlike anything else on the Highway 20 corridor.
Photos
NPS
