Rainbow Peak Trail

Dogs Off-leash

Features Views

Rainbow Peak is #118 of the 120 Chugach State Park Peaks as listed on Peakbagger.com. This challenging trail climbs steeply into the alpine along Turnagain Arm and provides great views of McHugh Lake and the Cook Inlet.

This trail begins from the Turnagain Arm Trail, roughly 1.25 miles from the Rainbow Trailhead Parking Area, and heads up a steep singletrack through the trees, following the south rib of Rainbow Peak.

Continue up into the tundra and at about 2,700', you'll see a human-worn game trail heading east that traverses the southeast face of the mountain. Eventually, the traverse takes you into a large scree field. Continue traversing until you are below a small saddle in the ridge above you and you should see evidence of a human trail leading up to the ridge.

Once you are on the ridge, head south back toward the shoreline to obtain the summit. There are several routes leading up to the peak, but the method described here is the easiest way up.