Hiking, Running & Mountain Biking
Methodist Mountain
Explore miles of rolling singletrack through piñon forest on Salida's south side, with easy trail connections, mountain views, and access toward the higher Rainbow Trail.
South of Salida
A Huge Trail Network Above Town
Methodist Mountain rises south of Salida and contains one of the largest interconnected trail networks close to town.
The lower mountain has a distinctly high-desert feel, with rolling singletrack winding through piñon and juniper. Climb higher and the landscape gradually changes, with ponderosa pine, aspen, cooler temperatures, and connections to the Rainbow Trail.
Most visitors do not hike or ride to the actual summit of Methodist Mountain. The attraction is the trail system spread across its northern and western slopes.
The network works especially well for building loops. You can take an easy outing on Little Rainbow and the Spartan trails or connect farther uphill for longer and more demanding backcountry routes.
The Basics
Methodist Mountain at a Glance
Best For
Hike, Run & Ride
The network is primarily nonmotorized multi-use singletrack shared by hikers, trail runners, mountain bikers, and other trail users.
Main Trail
Little Rainbow
Little Rainbow is the anchor of the lower Methodist Mountain system and connects many of the surrounding trails.
Terrain
Rolling & Wooded
Expect piñon and juniper on the lower mountain, with taller forest and cooler conditions as you climb toward the Rainbow Trail.
Access
Minutes From Salida
Several trailheads can be reached from the south and west sides of town, and the lower network is also accessible by bike from Salida.
Where to Start
Popular Methodist Mountain Trails
Methodist Mountain is a network rather than a single hike. These trails provide good starting points for exploring different parts of the mountain.
The Anchor Trail
Little Rainbow
Little Rainbow is the backbone of the lower trail system. Its relatively gentle grades and wider, machine-built tread make it one of the most approachable trails on Methodist Mountain.
It also connects easily with Spartan East, Spartan West, Race Track, Double Rainbow, and other nearby routes.
Easygoing Singletrack
Spartan East & West
The two Spartan trails were built with relatively mild grades and flowing turns, providing easier options for hiking, running, and mountain biking.
Spartan East looks back toward Salida and S-Mountain, while Spartan West opens views toward the Sawatch Range.
Longer Traverse
Double Rainbow
Double Rainbow extends west from the Little Rainbow area through rolling foothill terrain.
Use it as an out-and-back or combine it with surrounding trails for a longer loop across the lower mountain.
Classic Connection
Race Track
Race Track provides a useful connection between the lower trail system and the CR 110 side of Methodist Mountain.
It can be combined with Little Rainbow and nearby trails to build a compact loop without heading deep into the higher mountain.
Flow Trail
Solstice
Solstice adds a more bike-oriented option to the lower network, with rolling terrain, banked turns, and features designed to create a smoother, flowing descent.
Hikers and runners may encounter riders moving more quickly here, so stay aware of other users.
Higher Mountain
Rainbow Trail
Climb above the lower Methodist network and the terrain connects with the much longer Rainbow Trail.
The higher elevation brings more ponderosa pine, aspen, cooler temperatures, and a more backcountry feel.
Best Introduction
Start With Little Rainbow
If you have never explored Methodist Mountain, Little Rainbow is the easiest place to understand the trail system.
The trail rolls across the lower slopes rather than climbing directly up the mountain, giving it a friendlier grade than many Colorado foothill trails.
From Little Rainbow, you can add Spartan East or Spartan West for a shorter outing, continue onto Double Rainbow, or use connecting trails to create a much larger loop.
That flexibility makes this part of Methodist Mountain especially useful for groups that want to decide how far to go once they are already on the trail.
Choose Your Outing
How Much Mountain Do You Want?
The stacked network makes it easy to choose between a short foothill outing and a much bigger mountain day.
Keep It Easy
Start around Little Rainbow and the Spartan trails. These lower routes have relatively moderate grades and provide an approachable introduction to the system.
Build a Loop
Combine Little Rainbow, Double Rainbow, Race Track, Lost, Solstice, or neighboring connections to create a longer hike, run, or ride.
Head Higher
Climb toward Gutz, Sun Up, Sol Train, and the Rainbow Trail for steeper terrain, more elevation, and a more remote mountain experience.
Two Different Landscapes
High Desert Below, Mountain Forest Above
One of the interesting things about Methodist Mountain is how quickly the landscape changes as you climb.
The lower trails pass through dry piñon and juniper woodland similar to other foothill areas around Salida. The forest is relatively open, allowing frequent views across the valley.
Higher on the mountain, cooler temperatures and additional moisture support ponderosa pine and aspen. Snow also tends to remain longer here than it does on the lower trail system.
Continue high enough and you reach the Rainbow Trail, where the outing begins to feel much more like a backcountry mountain trip.
On the Trail
Hiking, Running & Mountain Biking
Hiking
Little Rainbow, Double Rainbow, and the Spartan trails are good places to start if you want a moderate foothill hike rather than a steep summit climb.
Use the many intersections to create a loop instead of simply retracing the same trail.
Trail Running
Rolling terrain and long interconnected traverses make Methodist Mountain especially well suited to trail running.
Routes can be extended gradually as you move farther from the trailheads and higher onto the mountain.
Mountain Biking
Methodist Mountain offers everything from relatively approachable machine-built trail to longer climbs, technical connections, and purpose-built flow trails.
Use a current trail map to match your route with your riding ability.
Built for Bikes
Flow Trails on Methodist Mountain
Methodist Mountain contains several trails designed with mountain biking in mind.
Solstice and the Sol Train trails use banked turns, rollers, grade changes, and other shaped features to create a more flowing riding experience than traditional backcountry singletrack.
They are still part of a shared trail system, so riders should control their speed and expect other users where trails are designated multi-use.
Getting There
Methodist Mountain Trailheads
Several access points serve the trail system, so choose your starting point based on the trails you want to explore.
CR 110 Trailhead
The upper County Road 110 trailhead is one of the most useful access points for Little Rainbow, the Spartan trails, Race Track, and the central Methodist Mountain network.
CR 108 Access
County Road 108 provides access to the eastern side of Little Rainbow and routes climbing farther up Methodist Mountain toward the Rainbow Trail.
Burmac Trailhead
The Burmac side provides another entrance to the lower Methodist Mountain system from near US 50.
Go Higher
Connect to the Rainbow Trail
The Rainbow Trail runs for a much greater distance along the eastern side of the Sangre de Cristo Range and crosses the upper slopes of Methodist Mountain.
Around Salida, it forms the upper edge of the local trail network. Routes such as Gutz and Sun Up connect the lower Methodist trails toward the Rainbow.
The difference is noticeable. The terrain becomes more forested, the outing becomes more remote, and seasonal snow tends to linger considerably longer than it does on Little Rainbow below.
When to Go
Methodist Mountain Through the Seasons
Spring
Lower trails can dry well before the upper mountain. Little Rainbow, Race Track, Lost, Solstice, and the Spartan trails are often among the earlier parts of the system to become usable.
Higher routes may remain snowy or muddy well into spring.
Summer
Summer provides access throughout most of the system, including higher connections toward the Rainbow Trail.
Lower trails can become hot in the afternoon, so mornings and evenings are often more comfortable.
Fall
Cooler temperatures make fall excellent for longer outings, and higher sections of the mountain include patches of aspen color.
Early snow can begin affecting the upper trails before the lower system shuts down for the season.
Winter
Some lower trails can remain usable between storms, but much of the upper mountain receives more snow than the Arkansas Hills across town.
Seasonal wildlife closures also affect several upper trails from December through mid-April.
Winter Wildlife
Seasonal Trail Closures
Parts of Methodist Mountain close each winter to protect important wildlife habitat. Respect all gates and closure signs even when the trail itself appears dry.
December 1 – April 15
Gutz, Pot-O-Gold & Rainbow
These trails are included in the annual winter wildlife closure. Do not enter closed sections before the scheduled reopening.
December 1 – April 15
Sun Up
The portion of Sun Up above Powerline Road closes during the winter wildlife protection period.
December 1 – April 15
Sol Train East & West
Sections of both Sol Train trails above Powerline Road are included in the seasonal closure.
Before You Go
Check the Trail Conditions
Conditions can vary dramatically between the lower and upper mountain. A dry trailhead does not necessarily mean every trail in the system is ready for use.
Do Not Ride or Hike Muddy Trails
If your tires or shoes are leaving deep tracks, turn around. Continuing through soft trail surfaces damages the tread and can create long-lasting ruts.
Stay on the Tread
Do not widen trails by traveling around puddles, snow patches, rocks, or muddy sections.
Bring a Map
Methodist Mountain has a large number of intersections and connecting trails. Download a current map before building a longer loop.
Local Trail Stewardship
Built and Maintained Locally
Salida Mountain Trails works with the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, local governments, volunteers, and professional trail builders to maintain and improve the Methodist Mountain system.
Much of today's network was deliberately developed to create interconnected loops instead of a handful of isolated trails.
Trail maintenance, drainage work, reroutes, wildlife closures, signage, and volunteer stewardship all help keep the system open and sustainable.
Visit Salida Mountain Trails →
Explore More
More Trails Around Salida
Stay close to downtown in the Arkansas Hills or head west toward the Continental Divide for higher alpine hiking around Monarch Pass.