Stout Lakes Trail

The Stout Lakes sit above timberline in a narrow steep sided cirque near the top of the Sangre De Cristo range. Below the lakes, the creek follows waterfalls and small, narrow canyons.

The trail is in good shape along the Rainbow Trail and for the first 3.5 miles of Stout Lakes trail. The last 1.5 mile is steep and rocky and not recommended for horses. This trail is difficult, very steep in some areas and is recommended as an over-night trip.

Drive east 16 miles from Salida on U.S. Highway 50 (just 1.5 miles east of the town of Howard or 4 miles west of the Hayden Ck. junction.), to Kerr Gulch road and turn south. The sign for Kerr Gulch is small, so look for a cattle guard with a barbed-wire fence at the highway junction. Follow the road approx. 3.5 miles to a “split”, take the road that continues a bit to the right, (continuing on the main road will take you to Bushnell). The road is rocky, but can be negotiated in a 2-wheel drive vehicle. Approx. ¾ mile in from the road junction is an information kiosk at the top of a rocky meadow; this is a good place to park. After walking up an old road (just behind the kiosk) about ¾ miles to the Rainbow Trail, follow the Rainbow Trail back to the North (turn right) for about ¼ mile to reach the Stout trailhead.