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Custer County Colorado Hiking Trails
Lakes of the Clouds #1351 & #1349
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Pike & San Isabel National Forest, Cimarron & Comanche National Grasslands,
National Forest in Colorado
Available to Hikers & Horseback riders, the 4.2 mile Lakes of the Clouds
Trail may be accessed from Westcliffe Colorado by following Highway 69 north to
CR 170. Travel along the dirt CR 170 for 5 miles and turn left at the Forest
Service sign for Gibson Creek. Take a right at the next sign onto FR 172 and
continue about 3 miles to the end of the road to Gibson Creek parking area. The
access trail to the Rainbow is on the north end of the parking area and travel
west for about 200 yards to Rainbow Trail.
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One mile north along Rainbow Trail is the junction with Lakes of the Clouds
Trail. Lakes of the Clouds trail follows Swift Creek for about 4 miles to the
lowest lake.
Another access (favored by horseback riders) is the Short Creek Trailhead
which is about 1 mile north of Swift Creek as you travel Rainbow Trail. This
trail has a lot less rocks and is a longer but gentler climb than the Swift
Creek Trail.
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