Rainbow Trail

Some hikers have described the entrance to the Rainbow Trail at South Lake Tahoe as "like the entrance to Jurassic Park, only different." A huge sign has been carved out of a long, straight log and laid atop two tall stone pillars to create an entry portal at the asphalt start of the trail. Interpretive signs mounted on the masonry provide information about the geology, flora, and fauna of the area.

The trail itself is less than a mile long, beginning near the Taylor Creek Visitor Center and winding in a loop through meadows and marshes following the stream known as Taylor Creek. Signs are posted along the sides of the trail, describing the many fish that make their home here, including rainbow, brown and Lahontan cutthroat trout. Several of the signs make audio descriptions available at the push of a button, too.

Rainbow Trail is rated as an easy to moderate hike. It is relatively flat and wheelchair accessible. With stops for observing fish and looking for small animals in the underbrush, such as beaver and ground squirrels, the loop takes about an hour to walk. Taylor Creek Visitor Center also has a Stream Profile Chamber, which should not be missed. It has been the primary attraction here since 1968.