For more about hiking in Summit County and updated trail conditions:
Dillon Ranger District
White River National Forest | US National Forest Service
680 Blue River Parkway (across from Target)
Silverthorne, CO 80498
970-468-5400
Rainbow Lake
USNFS Difficulty Rating: EASY
Mileage: (From Second Avenue trailhead to Rainbow Lake) approximately .75 miles one-way
Out and back, or take Miners Creek Road back to Town
Approximate elevation start: 9,097 feet | Approximate elevation end: 9,560 feet
No trash receptacles or restrooms at the trailhead
Parking Options for Rainbow Lake:
There are many ways to get to the popular and scenic Rainbow Lake Trail. Below are parking options and recommendations.
- Walk from town! The Rainbow Lake trailhead is just a short walk from Frisco Main Street. You can park on any of the numbered avenues for free with no time limit. We recommend parking on Second Avenue and walking south five blocks, 0.5 mile, to Zach’s Stop.
- Zach’s Stop: Take exit 201 from I-70 to Frisco Main Street and head west. Turn right onto Second Avenue and follow this road about five blocks. Take a right on South Cabin Green. After the stop sign, cross over the paved recreation pathway (use caution and yield to users of the path) to get to the trailhead parking area. Please note that if Zach’s Stop trailhead parking is full then please park at one of the other options listed below. Parking at Zach’s Stop often fills very early and trail head parking is not permitted in the surrounding neighborhoods.
- West Main: Use exit 201 from I-70 to Frisco Main Street. Just past the overpass, there is a parking lot on your right called “The Kayak Lot”. Park here and walk across the bridge from the parking lot to the paved recreation path, turn left onto the path, and walk the path for about 15 minutes, 0.8 mile, until you get to Zach’s stop.
- Masontown/Mt. Royal: Parking is the same as listed for West Main, the Kayak Lot and rec path. Instead of walking all the way to Zach’s Stop, you will turn earlier at the Mount Royal trailhead. About a mile in on the Mount Royal trail take a right on the Masontown trail that connects to Rainbow Lake. This is a longer hike to Rainbow Lake at 2 miles one-way and is rated moderate.
- County Commons/Miner’s Creek Trailhead: From Frisco Main Street, turn right at the traffic light at the intersection of CO-9. In a 0.5 mile turn right onto Peak One Blvd or County Road 1004 from the traffic circle. Follow this road for approximately 150 yards and turn right, then turn immediately left. Continue on this road for another 0.3 miles to the parking area at a gate. This is the parking area for winter recreation access. Walk along Miner’s Creek Road, cross the paved recreation path, continue on Miner’s Creek Road to the Peaks Trail intersection, and take a right to Rainbow Lake. This winter hike will be an easy 1 mile one-way. During the summer, you can continue further up the road in your vehicle to a small parking lot just across the paved recreation path. Hike Miner’s Creek Road until you reach the Peak One trail intersection; take a right on this trail to access Rainbow Lake. This summer hike will be an easy 0.3 mile one-way.
Peaks Trail
USNFS Difficulty Rating: MODERATE to MORE DIFFICULT
Mileage: 7.8 miles one-way
Hike to our neighboring Town of Breckenridge and hop on the Summit Stage, or double back and end in Frisco.
Approximate elevation start: 9,110 feet (Frisco) | Approximate elevation end: 10,075 feet (Breckenridge)
No trash receptacles or restrooms at the trailhead
The Peaks Trail can take you all the way to Breckenridge if you are feeling particularly ambitious. There is not a huge elevation gain; don’t let the big hill at the beginning fool you, and you go through varied terrain from meadows to forests. Be aware that many mountain bikers use this trail. There are two trailheads- one which is an easy walk from Main Street and one near County Commons and the hospital. Whenever possible walk to these trailheads, as they can get busy:
Zach’s Stop– Head west on Main Street Frisco, turn south onto Second Avenue and follow this road about 5 blocks then take a right on South Cabin Green. Cross over the paved recreation pathway after stopping at the stop sign (use caution and yield to users of the path) to get to the trailhead parking area. In the parking area you will see a sign with an arrow that says Rainbow Lake. Venture through a wetland on a boardwalk, through aspen trees and lodgepole pines until you arrive at a beaver pond called Rainbow Lake. This trail also connects to Miners Creek Road, the Peaks trail that heads to Breckenridge and the Masontown/Mount Royal trail.
Once Rainbow Lake is reached, continue following the trail along the right side of the lake and it will connect with a 4×4 road junction. This road is called Miners Creek. Cross the road and you will see the sign to continue onto the Peaks Trail and continue to parallel Miners Creek Road. After 3 miles, you will come to an intersection with the Gold Hill trail on your left. Do not take this turn in order to stay on the Peaks Trail. Continue on the Peaks Trail toward Breckenridge/Miners Creek Trail. At 3.3 miles you will come to another intersection with the Miners Creek Trail. Follow the sign for the Peaks Trail toward Breckenridge. At around 4.2 miles the trail opens up to a meadow, continue following the Peaks Trail. After 7.4 miles you will cross the Cucumber Creek 4×4 road. You are near the finish of the trail! Continue on the Peaks Trailhead Parking lot near the base of Peak 7 of Breckenridge Ski Resort. This is the end of the trail.
County Commons/Miner’s Creek Trailhead- From Main Street Frisco, turn right at the traffic light at the intersection of CO-9 (a.k.a. Summit Boulevard here in Frisco). After heading South on CO-9, at the first traffic light (County Road 1004), turn right. This is the same entrance for the Summit County Commons government complex. Follow this road for approximately 100 yards and turn right, then turn immediately left. Be sure to yield to users of the paved Recreation Pathway. Continue on this road for another 0.3 miles to the parking area at a gate. This is the parking area for winter recreation access, and where to park if you’d like to hike the road. To hike from here, just hike up Miner’s Creek Road (following the paved path at first and crossing the Recreation Path onto the dirt Miner’s Creek Road. Eventually, you will see a left hand turn onto the Peaks Trail. During the summer, you can continue further up the road in your vehicle (it is a rough dirt road) and get very close to the Peaks Trail sign. Parking will be an issue so it is not suggested that you access the Peaks Trail by driving right up to the trailhead sign on Miner’s Creek Road.
Lily Pad Lake (from Meadow Creek Trailhead)
USNFS Difficulty Rating: MODERATE to MORE DIFFICULT
Mileage: From Meadow Creek trailhead to Lily Pad Lake: 1.3 miles one-way
Out and back trail, or hike to Wildernest neighborhood via Lily Pad Lake trail and take Summit Stage bus back!
Approximate elevation start: 9,157 feet | Approximate elevation end: 9,917 feet
No trash receptacles or restrooms at the trailhead
Lily Pad Lake is a great scenic jaunt with a wonderful destination.
At exit 203 (the CO-9 exit for Frisco/Breckenridge off of I-70), take the roundabout around, but do not enter I-70. Take the roundabout only to the dirt road that parallels I-70 Westbound. You will see a sign for the Meadow Creek Trailhead. Parking is available down the dirt road near the trailhead sign. This trail has switchbacks through Aspen tree stands. At .6 miles into the hike, you will see the trail split to Meadow Creek or to Lily Pad Lake. Take the path to Lily Pad Lake and go another .7 miles to the lake. For an easier way to access Lily Pad Lake, check out the Lily Pad Lake Dillon Ranger District trail sheet for Wildernest neighborhood access.
North Ten Mile
USNFS Difficulty Rating: MODERATE to MORE DIFFICULT
Mileage: 2 miles one-way to Wilderness Boundary, 3.4 miles one-way to Gore Trail intersection
Close backcountry access at the end of Frisco’s Main Street, great hike for dogs because of ample water access.
Approximate elevation start: 9,160 feet | Approximate elevation end: 10,826 feet
No trash receptacles or restrooms at the trailhead
North Ten Mile can be an easy out and back or you can use it to go all the way to Copper or even Vail. The trip to Copper and Vail are big hikes so prepare well before you take those on.
At exit 201 (the Frisco Main Street exit off of I-70), there is a National Forest trailhead for North Ten Mile Canyon along with a small public parking area for the trailhead. You could also easily walk to this trailhead down Main Street from Downtown Frisco (towards I-70, away from Lake Dillon Reservoir). This trail is a locals’ favorite because of its accessibility and closeness to Ten Mile Creek. If coming off of I-70 to hike this trail, turn away from the Town of Frisco when you exit, and park just north of the interstate exit. Don’t let the initial steep grade discourage you from continuing on this trail. After the first mile, the trail levels out. 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 multiple opportunities to view beaver ponds along the creek. After 2 miles on the trail, there will be a boundary fence with a sign saying you are entering the Eagles Nest Wilderness Area. Please keep in mind that designated Wilderness Areas of the National Forest require that pets be on leash at all times, and that all recreation in these areas is non-motorized. After hiking an additional 1.4 miles you will come to the intersection of the Gore Range Trail. 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 at exit #195 for CO-91 / Copper Mountain Resort.
Mount Royal & Masontown
USNFS Difficulty Rating: MOST DIFFICULT
Mileage: 1 mile one-way to Masontown, hike 1 additional mile to the top of Mount Royal for a total of 2 miles
Brag about this out-and-back trail after you’ve conquered Frisco’s most recognizable peak from Main Street.
Approximate elevation start: 9,097 feet | Approximate elevation end: 10,347 feet
No trash receptacles or restrooms at the trailhead
Mount Royal & Masontown are classic Frisco hikes and will give you a taste of Frisco’s mining history and a great view down to Frisco and beyond.
You can walk or drive easily from Frisco’s Main Street to the Mount Royal trailhead. Follow directions above to the trailhead for Rainbow Lake in order to park your car in a public parking area. Do not begin hiking towards Rainbow Lake, however, as you need to go in a different direction for the most direct route to the summit of Mount Royal. Walk on the paved Recreation Pathway that you crossed over in order to park your car West towards Copper Mountain/I-70. Walk to the Mount Royal interpretive sign and trail head on the right-hand side of the pathway. Start the hike here. Parking lot too full? Try parking at the Kayak Park parking lot on the South side of West Main Street and walk the same Recreation Pathway back to the Mount Royal trailhead sign from the other direction. This hike is considered a mountain replacement for a “Stair Master” machine, but offers spectacular views of Lake Dillon and the Town of Frisco. This trail has no reliable access to natural water sources, and involves loose rock. Hiking poles would definitely come in handy on this hike. Masontown is an abandoned mining camp. Left in the forest in the early 1900s due to a combination of factors, the remaining structures were wiped out by an avalanche in 1926. There are still remnants of structures, mine shaft tailings and red brick foundations. Please leave historic artifacts for others to enjoy.
Miner’s Creek Road
USNFS Difficulty Rating: MODERATE to MORE DIFFICULT
Mileage: 2.5 miles one-way
This road helps people access to many other trails: Wheeler National Recreation Trail, Peaks and Gold Hill.
Approximate elevation start: 9,132 feet | Approximate elevation end: 9,965 feet
No trash receptacles or restrooms at the trailhead
Miner’s Creek Road can be a moderate out and back or you can use this route to eventually hike up and over the Tenmile Range to meet with the Wheeler National Recreation Trail which can take you all the way to Copper or to the base of Quandary Mountain on the south end of Summit County. Of course, these longer hikes to Copper or Quandary take some serious planning and preparation.
From Main Street Frisco, turn right at the traffic light at the intersection of CO-9 (a.k.a. Summit Boulevard here in Frisco). After heading South on CO-9, at the first traffic light (County Road 1004), turn right. This is the same entrance for the Summit County Commons government complex. Follow this road for approximately 100 yards and turn right, then turn immediately left. Be sure to yield to users of the paved Recreation Pathway. Continue on this road for another 0.3 miles to the parking area at a gate. This is the parking area for winter recreation access, and where to park if you’d like to hike the road. During the summer, you can continue further up the road and get close to Rainbow Lake. At the end of Miners Creek Road, there is a trailhead for Miners Creek Trail. Driving is not permitted on Miners Creek Trail.
