Rainbow Lake: This local little trail is part of the Peaks Trail that goes all the way to Breckenridge if so motivated. Off of Main Street Frisco, turn south onto 2nd Ave. and follow this road to the very end. You will actually cross over the paved rec path to get to the trailhead and parking area. In the parking area you will see a sign with an arrow that says Rainbow Lake. This short hike goes through Aspen trees, over boardwalks and little bridges crossing small mountain streams. From 2nd Ave it is about 1 mile to the lake and has very little elevation gain. This trail does connect on to Miners Creek Road and the Peaks trail if you want a little extra hike.
Lily Pad Lake (from Meadow Creek Trailhead): At exit 203, take the roundabout to the road paralleling the interstate. You will see a sign for Meadow Creek Trailhead. This is a Moderate hike with switchback trails through Aspen tree stands. At .6 miles you will see the trail split to Meadow Creek or to Lily Pad Lake. Take the path to Lily Pad and go another .7 miles to the lake. Elevation starts at 9,157 ft. and ends at 9,917 ft.
North Ten Mile: From I-70 take Exit 201, Frisco Main Street. Turn away from Frisco (west) and park in the area just north of the interstate interchange. Don’t let the initial steep grade discourage you. After the first mile, the trail levels out and stays close to the creek.
At the beginning of the trail you will see Chief Mountain, elevation 11,363 feet, to the right. On the left flank is Wichita Mountain, elevation 10,855 feet. Along this trail there are great opportunities to see beaver ponds along the creek. After 2 miles there will be a portal sign saying you are entering the Eagles Nest Wilderness Area. This is a good spot to turn around if you are looking for a shorter hike. After hiking another 1.4 miles you will come to the intersection of the Gore Range Trail (FDT 60). Turning to the right (north) will eventually take you into the Meadow Creek drainage and turning left (south) will eventually take you up and over Uneva Pass to I-70 and Copper Mtn Resort. Starts at 9,160 feet and ends at 10,826 feet if you go to the end of the trail.
Mount Royal: From I-70, take Exit 201 (Frisco Main Street) and travel east into the town of Frisco. Travel down Main Street to Second Avenue and turn right. Proceed to the end of the road just past the crossing of the paved recpath. Park at this trail head and walk along the rec path West to the Mount Royal interpretive sign and trail head. Start the hike here. Or, you can park at the Kayak parking lot on West Main and walk the rec path to the trail head sign from the other direction. This hike is moderate to difficult and involves loose rock, step style rocks and steep gravelly pitches.
Peaks Trail: Follow Main St to 2nd Avenue. Turn left (south) on to 2nd Avenue and follow this until it ends in the parking lot to the trailhead for the Peaks Trail and Rainbow Lake.
From the trailhead, follow the singletrack as it heads south. The entire Peaks Trail is easy to follow and is well signed. At 0.6 miles, you will see the first “Trail” sign. At 0.9 miles, you will arrive at Rainbow Lake (POI #2). Enjoy the view. Continue following the singletrack past the lake and at 1.1 miles the singletrack dumps you out onto a jeep road junction. This is the junction with Miners Creek Road and the Peaks Trail (POI #3). Cross the road and you will see the sign for the Peaks Trail. Follow this singletrack as it parallels the Miners Creek Road. At 3 miles, you will come to an intersection with the Gold Hill trail on your left. Do not take this. Continue on the Peaks Trail toward Breckenridge/Miners Creek Trail (POI #4). At 3.3 miles you will come to another intersection with the Miners Creek Trail. Follow the sign for the Peaks Trail toward Breckenridge (POI #5). At around 4.2 miles the trail opens up to a meadow (POI #6). Continue following the Peaks Trail. At 7.4 miles you will cross the Cucumber Creek jeep road (unmarked; POI #7). You are near the finish of the trail. Continue on the singletrack and at 8.1 miles the trail dumps you out onto a jeep road and the Peaks Trailhead Parking lot near Breckenridge Ski Resort, near Peak 7 off of Ski Hill Road. This is the end of the trail. Turn around and return the way you came.
Length of trail: 16.2 miles out and back (8.1 miles one way)
Elevation gain: 1690 feet (out and back)
Starting elevation: about 9100 feet
Highest elevation: about 10,200 feet
Miner’s Creek Road: From the Frisco Main Street and Summit Boulevard (HWY 9) traffic light continue for 0.5 miles to the next traffic light at the County Commons entrance (CR 1004). Follow this road for approximately 100 yards and turn right, then an immediate left turn.
Continue on this road for another 0.3 miles to the parking area at the gate. This is the parking for winter access. During the summer, you can continue up the road. Look out for cyclists when crossing the bike path. This road is 2.5 miles one way and ends at Miner’s Creek Trail that connects to the Wheeler Trail.
Trail sheets and maps are available online at the Dillon Ranger District website. Topographical maps are available for purchase at local shops and the Frisco-Copper Information Center at 300 Main Street.
