Rainbow Lake Trail
Download & Print Map and Notes1 Hr
2.5 km Return
109 m
Moderate track
Covered in snow part of the year
This walk leads through an extreme alpine environment and all walkers must be well prepared. During summer, be prepared for both very hot and cold weather, high winds, rain, snow, extreme UV levels and some sections of snow or ice on the ground. Before starting this walk, check advice with Snowy Region Visitor Information Centre (02) 6450 5600, the weather forecast and the snow conditions then change your plans as needed. These notes, grades and walking times have been written for use in the summer months only. Between May and the end of October, this walk is likely to be covered in snow/ice, visitors should be carrying and be prepared to use snowshoes or cross country skis. When there is a chance of significant snow on the ground, visitors will need particularly strong navigation and snowcraft skills – tracks and signage may not be visible. For most visitors, it is best to consider this walk closed during the colder months.
(0km) Rainbow Lake walk car park → Lower end of Rainbow Lake
1.2 km
26 mins
57m
-47m
Moderate track
From the lower end of the car park on Kosciuszko Rd (about 2.4km east of Guthega Rd), near the ‘Rainbow Lake Walk’ sign[1], this walk follows the track heading into the Snow Gums. The track winds through the gums until joining onto an old management trail. The walk follows the management trail down the hill and across the small creek, then continues under the power lines and starts to climb up through clumps of snow gums and open alpine grassy areas. After a little while, the walk levels out and comes to a great view of Rainbow Lake. From here, the walk heads down the hill, following the clear management trail to the bottom end of the lake. The walk passes a few clearings (nice for picnics) near the lake, then comes to an intersection just before the creek (which drains out of Rainbow Lake).
(1.21km) Lower end of Rainbow Lake → Timber Platform
60 m
1 mins
0m
-5m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk crosses the creek and follows the dam wall. About half way along the dam wall, the walk arrives at an old timber platform heading out into the lake.
Rainbow Lake
Rainbow Lake is a body of water in Kosciuszko National park, providing a lovely focal point for walkers and skiers. Diggers Creek was dammed to create a water supply for the then ‘Hotel Kosciusko’ which burnt down in 1951 (first opened in 1909). The resulting Rainbow Lake left a bit of heritage for people to enjoy. A faint track exists around the perimeter of the lake, providing a variety of views of the lake and access to some of the old fence line from the days when cattle were grazed in the area. The lake is a great place for picnickers, photographers and walkers, a magical spot on sunny days.
Maps for the Rainbow Lake Trail walk
You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.
Perisher Valley | 1:25 000 Map Series | 85252S PERISHER VALLEY | NSW-85252S |
Geehi Dam | 1:25 000 Map Series | 85252N GEEHI DAM | NSW-85252N |
Chimneys Ridge | 1:25 000 Map Series | 85241N CHIMNEYS RIDGE | NSW-85241N |
Kosciuszko | 1:100 000 Map Series | 8525 KOSCIUSZKO | 8525 |
Jacobs River | 1:100 000 Map Series | 8524 JACOBS RIVER | 8524 |
Cross sectional view of the Rainbow Lake Trail bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Rainbow Lake Trail
Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001
Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
Length | 2.5 km | ||
Time | 1 Hr | ||
. | |||
Grade 3/6 Moderate track |
AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Short steep hills (3/6) |
Quality of track | Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6) | ||
Signs | Directional signs along the way (3/6) | ||
Experience Required | No experience required (1/6) | ||
Weather | Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6) | ||
Infrastructure | Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6) |
Some more details of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk
Gradient
Around 1.2km of this walk has short steep hills, whilst the remaining 60m is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
This whole walk, 1.3km follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
This whole walk, 1.3km has directional signs at most intersection.
Experience Required
This whole walk, 1.3km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
weather
This whole walk, 1.3km is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
This whole walk, 1.3km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
Similar walks
Other Nearby walks
Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Rainbow Lake Trail walk starts and ends at the Rainbow Lake walk car park (gps: -36.369776, 148.47452)Your main transport option to Rainbow Lake walk car park is by;
Car. A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.
(get details)
Fire Danger
Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.Weather Forest
This walk starts in the Snowy Mountains weather district always check the formal BOM forecast or pdf before starting your walk.Forecast snapshot
Park Information & Alerts
Short URL = http://wild.tl/rlw
Gallery images
There are other downloads I am still working on.
You will probably need to login to access these — still all free.
* KML (google earth file)
* GPX (GPS file)
Special Maps/ brochures
* A3 topo maps
* PDF with Lands Topo map base
* PDF with arial image (and map overlay)
I wanted to get the main site live first, this extra stuff will come in time.
Happy walking
Matt 🙂
Comments