Avg Rating:    |
4 trail reviews |
Difficulty:  - Intermediate |
|
| Length: 6 miles | Global Rank: #5177 |
| Tread: Singletrack | Configuration: Out & Back |
| Ridden: 11 | Wishlist: 10 |
| 1 trail check-ins |
Climb // Descend +800 // -200 feet |
Directions
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Description
The Little Rainbow Trail proper is 5 miles of machine cut singletrack that traverses the contours on the lower flank of Methodist Mountain more or less parallel to, but lower than, the Rainbow Trail. Little Rainbow is a good description because it rides a lot like its big borther up the hill. It is possible to take roads up to the trailheads at each end (paved at the west, 4X4 on the East), but you'd be cheating yourself out of a killer singletrack climb and descent if you do. Since the East end is lower, I like to start there. There are two trails that go up from the parking area. The one that is marked right in front of where you should park is the "Lost Trail." This one is much better saved for the downhill on the return as it has portions that are unclimbable. Instead, look for the unmarked and not obvious "Racetrack" trail directly opposite the road from the "Lost Trail." Make the climb up Racetrack. You'll cross a dirt road--pick up the trail on the other side and keep climbing. You'll come to some cool eroded badlands and hook right--just a bit more climbing to reach the Little Rainbow Trail. When you hit a 4X4 road, look right and find the machine cut singletrack. Ignore the narrow "Dead Bird" trail as that will take you right back to your car. Ride the Little Rainbow as it roller coasters the countours of the mountain. After a couple miles, you'll cross a paved road. keep going another few miles--you can stay on Little Rainbow all the way out and back or drop to the right on the "Skull" trail then climb back up it or up CR 110 to the western trailhead and then head back. On the way back, make sure you don't miss the intersection with the "Lost Trail" (not currently marked, but it is a narrow trail intersecting Little Rainbow about a mile before you would run back into "Racetrack." It may be a good idea to lower your seat here as the trail flat out plummets in a couple places. Enjoy a screaming good downhill right back to your car!
dasardinta on August 16, 2012
Vedauwoo (100%)
Son Of Middle Creek (100%)
Lunch Loop / Tabeguache (100%)
Chamisoso Trail (50%)
To view directions to Little Rainbow mountain bike trail, please login. If you don't have an account, sign up for a free account - it only takes a minute.
Description
The Little Rainbow Trail proper is 5 miles of machine cut singletrack that traverses the contours on the lower flank of Methodist Mountain more or less parallel to, but lower than, the Rainbow Trail. Little Rainbow is a good description because it rides a lot like its big borther up the hill. It is possible to take roads up to the trailheads at each end (paved at the west, 4X4 on the East), but you'd be cheating yourself out of a killer singletrack climb and descent if you do. Since the East end is lower, I like to start there. There are two trails that go up from the parking area. The one that is marked right in front of where you should park is the "Lost Trail." This one is much better saved for the downhill on the return as it has portions that are unclimbable. Instead, look for the unmarked and not obvious "Racetrack" trail directly opposite the road from the "Lost Trail." Make the climb up Racetrack. You'll cross a dirt road--pick up the trail on the other side and keep climbing. You'll come to some cool eroded badlands and hook right--just a bit more climbing to reach the Little Rainbow Trail. When you hit a 4X4 road, look right and find the machine cut singletrack. Ignore the narrow "Dead Bird" trail as that will take you right back to your car. Ride the Little Rainbow as it roller coasters the countours of the mountain. After a couple miles, you'll cross a paved road. keep going another few miles--you can stay on Little Rainbow all the way out and back or drop to the right on the "Skull" trail then climb back up it or up CR 110 to the western trailhead and then head back. On the way back, make sure you don't miss the intersection with the "Lost Trail" (not currently marked, but it is a narrow trail intersecting Little Rainbow about a mile before you would run back into "Racetrack." It may be a good idea to lower your seat here as the trail flat out plummets in a couple places. Enjoy a screaming good downhill right back to your car!
added by skibum 
on November 20, 2010
on November 20, 2010Part of the Methodist Mountain trail system.
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dasardinta on August 16, 2012
0 out of 0 readers found this useful
Review: I can not believe that this trail is on Colorado's top 100 trails. The trail is machine cut, but it is repetitive. It goes back and forth over a water drainage route over the mountain terrain. Do not waste your time on this one when visiting Salida. Get on their web site and find better trails. The trail is up and down with no flow and no bank turns so when you go down you have to slow way down to make the turn. If you live in the area maybe an after work ride if it is close, but not worth it. It is connected into the Methodist Mountain Trail System, but I rode a few of those trails and nothing that great.
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Review: I'm a beginner and this is a GREAT trail. If you want a killer one-hour or so workout, take (on your bike) County Road 110 from Highway 50 - it starts as a paved road for about 5 minutes then turns into a wide, dirt road for about the next 15. This is a pretty killer climb for a beginner like myself, but for an experienced rider this would probably be a moderate climb. Little Rainbow trail is on the left, and the only word to describe it is FUN. It's got plenty of downhill slopes, some mild uphill climbs, and some technical, tight turns. Basically, it's awesome. You can continue on at one point when it crosses a paved road (I haven't done that....yet) or you can take that paved road back to town for a killer downhill ride that takes about 5-8 minutes and will take you back to highway 50. I highly recommend this for a beginner rider, or any level, for that matter. It made me fall in love with mountain biking. :)
Review: Great single speed ride from town.
Review: I thought this might be a nice trail--instead, it was GREAT! The climb up racetrack will get your heart rate up, but is completely doable. The Little Rainbow is pure singletrack fun as it countours the mountain with lots of little ups and downs but no extended climbs. Parts of the trail beg to ridden fast, especially on the return (west to east) leg. As noted in the description, if you're looking for a fun downhill, be sure not to miss the Lost Trail--you won't be disappointed. After some yankin' and bankin' on narrow, loose-rock singletrack, the trail will drop sharply--enjoy the plummet! Then the trail rollercoasters through some embedded rocks in the pinion forest, giving a rather Fruita-like experience. Finally, some fast, banked curves will bring you right back to the parking area. If you don't like out-and-backs, you could do like the locals do on the main Rainbow Trail and make it a loop from town, but that requires a good deal of road riding, including Highway 50. If you do, be sure to do it counterclockwise so you can take the singletrack portion fast (always watching, of course, for other trail users). This trail is a great addition to the already superb Salida riding repertoire! Check out SalidaMountainTrails.org for a good map (http://salidamountaintrails.org/little-rainbow-trail.html)
* Review edited 11/20/2010
Similar Trail: Rainbow Trail and, of course, the Monarch Crest.
* Review edited 11/20/2010
Similar Trail: Rainbow Trail and, of course, the Monarch Crest.
Recommendations
Mount Herman Trail (100%)Vedauwoo (100%)
Son Of Middle Creek (100%)
Lunch Loop / Tabeguache (100%)
Chamisoso Trail (50%)
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