Hiking

Hiking in Custer County is exceptional. The Rainbow Trail is an easy to moderate trail that runs 90 miles along the Sangre de Cristos. It features panoramic views of the Wet Mountain Valley and is accessible at numerous points along the Mountain Range. Quite a number of trails branch off from the Rainbow Trail that take you to high altitude lakes and mountain peaks. There are many more trails in the Wet Mountains and in the National Forests of Custer County. For more information about hiking trails visit the chamber, All Aboard Westcliffe Interpretive center or the National Forest Service. Remember to be prepared with plenty of water, snacks, three layers of clothing, trail maps and a compass. Please, let someone know when you plan to return and where your hike will take you.

Great Hikes in the Sangres

by Mick Backsen

The Sangre de Cristo mountains are one of the premier areas for hiking, backpacking, and other backcountry activities in Colorado. What follows is an introduction to three hikes (one easy, one moderate, and one challenging) in this scenic range. For more information on these and other hikes in the Sangre de Cristo mountains, consult The Colorado Sangre de Cristo: A complete Trail Guide by Michael O'Hanlon or Hiking Colorado's Sangre de Cristo Wilderness by Jason Moore.

All three of the hikes presented here start at the Comanche/Venable Trailhead, located near Alvarado Campground. From the intersection of Highways 69 and 96 at Antler Motel in Westcliffe (mile 0), head south on Highway 69 to Schoolfield Road (mile 3.3). From this point on, Forest Service signs point the way to the trailhead. Take a right and proceed west on Schoolfield Road. At mile 7.9 you will come to a T intersecton. Go left, and follow the road at it curves to the right and then winds its way up toward Alvarado Campground. Watch for the sign indicating the right turn to Comanche-Venable Trailhead (mile 9.8). The road becomes somewhat rougher after making this turn, but it is still passable in a passenger car for the remaining 4 miles to the trailhead.

Rainbow Trail

The Rainbow Trail is a long trail that traverses almost the entire east side of the range. A short section of the Rainbow south of Alvarado is an easy hike that is a good choice for kids. Find the sign marking the start of Comanche Trail No. 1345 (located to the left of the concrete wall as you face the mountains) and proceed on that trail for approximately 1/4 mile to the 4-way intersection of the Rainbow Trail and Comanche Trail. From there, turn left on the Rainbow. After about a mile on the Rainbow you will cross Hiltman Creek, a great place for a snack and for kids to play in the water. Afer another 1/2 mile you reach another good rest stop, a ridge that provides a scenic view of the valley and of Horn Peak. Return by the same route.

Comanche Lake

The Comanche Trail to Comanche Lake provides one of the the easiest hiking routes to a high mountain lake in the area. At slightly more than 4 miles in length and gaining a total of 2,500 vertical feet, you'll do some climbing, but the trail is well designed and is never too steep. As with the previous hike, follow the sign marking Comanche Trail No. 1345 and proceed approximately 1/4 mile to the 4-way intersection of the Comanche and Rainbow Trails. Continue straight on the Comanche Trail and follow the trail as it steadily climbs to Comanche Lake, located at 11,643 feet above sea level. Take time to eat, drink, and soak up the scenery before returning via the same route.

Venable/Comanche Loop

Strong, experienced hikers can tackle the Venable/Comanche Loop. This 12 mile trek takes you by two high mountain lakes in two different basins and features more than four miles of hiking above treeline, providing spectacular views of the Wet Mountain Valley to the east and the San Luis Valley to the west. This loop can be hiked in either direction; the description here is for hiking up Venable Trail and down Comanche.

At the trailhead, find the sign marking Venable Trail No. 1347 (located to the right of the concrete wall as you face the mountains) and follow that trail for about 1/4 mile to the Rainbow Trail. Go right on the Rainbow Trail for only 50 yards or so, then head left on the Venable Trail. Follow this trail as it works its way up to Venable Lake and continues to the crest of the range. (Be forewarned that the last couple of hundred yards before reaching the crest lead you across the Phantom Terrace, a section of trail that has a steep drop on the left that has turned back some faint-hearted hikers.)

At the crest of the range, begin hiking south above treeline. (Take care not to continue hiking down the other side of the range!) After about a mile of hiking on the crest of the range, the route turns back to the east and drops steeply into the Comanche drainage. Follow the trail down past Comanche Lake and back to the trailhead, completing the loop.

For additional information on recreational activities on national forest or BLM land in Custer County, call the local Westcliffe office of the Forest Service at 783-2079 or the Canon City office at 269-8500.