Rainbow Gulch & Rampart Reservoir

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Colorado Springs, Co

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Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 16.0 miles / 25.8 km
Duration: Half day

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Overview: If you'd like a day at the lake in Central Colorado, this is the place to go. If you like to hike and/or to fish, this is the place to go. Rampart Reservoir rests on a granite plateau at 9000 ft of elevation, about 10 miles northwest of Colorado Springs and 4 miles east of Woodland Park. It is one of the favorite fishing, hiking, biking, and picnicking areas in the region. I like to hike, and I don’t like crowds. So I discovered that reaching the trail around the reservoir from the Rainbow Gulch trailhead is the perfect way to add a beautiful stream-side trek and avoid the parking hassles at the dam end of the reservoir. The trail from the trailhead to the lake, around the lake, and back is approximately 16 miles long. It took be about 6 hours to negotiate the entire route. You will not experience a significant elevation gain at any one point, but because the lake was formed where 12 different streams flowed into West Monument Creek, you will climb at least a dozen different ridges as you work your way around the lake.

Directions: Take Hwy 24 west from Colorado Springs. Turn right at the McDonalds on Baldwin Rd in Woodland Park (This is a stoplight and the road “Y”s off to the right). This becomes Rampart Range Road (FSR 300). Follow the signs to Rampart Reservoir. The trailhead is well marked, approximately 6 miles after you turn off Hwy 24. Rainbow Gulch Trail is #714; Rampart Reservoir Trail is #700.

Tips: 1. Hikers walk counterclockwise around the lake; bikers ride clockwise.
2. Take plenty of water & snacks. There are no vending services at the dam.
3. If you take a dog, be especially aware of bikers; the path is not wide.
4. On the north end of the dam, you will encounter a couple of other trails leading off into the mountains, so be sure you find the trail (#700) that continues on around the lake.

Points of Interest

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Rainbow Trailhead

Plenty of parking here usually, because most people who are going to the Reservoir will park at the boat ramp. From here it’s 1.5 miles to the west end of Rampart Reservoir. The trail is wide and smooth. If you only have time for a short hike, the three miles from here to the lake and back is a delight. The sound of the rushing stream and the joy of the dancing water will captivate you.

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Rainbow Creek

At the end of June, this creek was full and flowing hard. About halfway down the stream, you'll encounter a bridge across. You can either continue on the wide path, or cross the bridge and wander down a single path as it meanders through the willow groves. Both paths reach Rampart Reservoir, where you will encounter the trail that takes you around the lake.

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Flowers

Wild flowers abound along the path. Here a bright orange "paint brush" caught my eye. If you have macro capability on your camera, you can bring home dozens of "up close and personal" memories of your floral encounters along this trail.

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Lakeview & Path

Winding in and out along the shoreline, you’ll experience ever changing views of the lake and the opposing shore. You’re never far from a quiet place to sit by the water and relax or fish (If you're like me "relaxing" and "fishing" are not synonymous terms.). The path is open and clear, while not overly wide. Keep alert for bicycles coming in the opposite direction.

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Dam

Rampart Reservoir was created when a 230 ft high, 3400 ft long dam was constructed across West Monument Creek in 1969. This 500 acre lake stores about 13 billion gallons of Colorado Springs’ drinking water. From its inception the reservoir was intended to be a recreational area for the surrounding region. The lake is stocked with fish (rainbow, lake, cutthroat, & brown trout). Wakeless boating regulations keep down the noise and make the dozens of inlets seem like private lakes. ... Through the gap you can almost see the city.

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Rocks

The granite plateau on which the reservoir rests has been subject to erosion for thousands of years. You’ll be able to observe the results of this chaos in fascinating rock formations all around the lake. The north side of the reservoir abounds with these formations. If you enjoy scrambling around on the rocks, you'll have ample opportunities to release the mountain goat in you.

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Pike's Peak

The north side of the reservoir presents several opportunities for spectacular views of Pike’s Peak. Each time you round a corner another facet of its grandeur opens up before you. Here's a project: Beginning at the dam, take photos of the Peak as you continue on around the lake; every time you encounter a new view, snap a shot. At the end of the day, run these as a separate slide show, during which you will appreciate afresh the nuances of the Peak's beauty.

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Lake Length

From this vantage you can see the dam at the far east end of the lake, 1.5 miles distant. Some other time it would be worth it to return to this spot just before sunrise (you can reach it from the trailhead; just go left at the junction rather than around the lake). Watching the sun rise above the reservoir is well worth the effort it will take to get this point at "O-dark-thirty."

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Flower Field

The west end of the lake is more gently sloped than other avenues of approach. So the erosive forces have deposited enough soil for expansive fields of grass and wild flowers.

Pictures in this guide taken by: dougknighton

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