Rainbow Lake

Hike Name: Rainbow Lake Location: south ID Length: 3.0 Submitted by: Idaho Bob Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more Idaho trail reviews Idaho national parks Idaho state parks
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Description
The hike to Rainbow Lakes starts at the Upper Trinity Lake CG.

From the CG, you go up about 800 feet to a saddle, and drop down the other side into a basin that holds about 6 lakes: Heart, 3 Rainbow Lakes, Hidden Lk, and a few others. The upper Rainbow Lk is the largest, and the trail goes straight to it, over a few small ridges and bumps. Elevation gain for the hike is maybe 1200 feet, very easy.

The lake is deep and has fish, and is generally tree lined. Camping is good at a large camp site. A good side trip is to Heart Lk., to Hidden Lk, or to the lookout on Trinity Mnt. There is a road to the lookout from the other side. From the upper Rainbow Lk to the lookout is about a 2 hour hike, about an hour for the return trip.

The area is surprisingly pretty and alpine considering its so close to Mountain Home.

There are a few small streams on the way in, and water can be filtered from the Lakes for drinking. We were there in September 2002, and the streams were very low and many were dry.

Directions to Hike
The hike to Rainbow Lakes starts at the Upper Trinity Lake CG. To get there you go through Mountain Home, through Featherville, past Rocky Bar, and on another 15 miles on a good dirt road with a few rocks in it.

Contact Information
Boise National Forest Headquarters
1249 S. Vinnell Way, Suite 200
Boise, ID 83709
(208) 373-4100

http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/boise/offices.html

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