Overview
Marble Mountain is one of the few Sangre 13ers that is fairly easy to reach even in winter. From the South Colony Lakes road you follow the Rainbow Trail to a ridge, take a climbers' trail up through the forest, and follow the northeast ridge above treeline to the summit.
It is Class 2. The trail ends near treeline; just stay on the ridge.
The round trip is about 7 miles with 3,500 feet of gain from the Rainbow Trail junction on the South Colony road.
Plan of the day
By 6:30 a.m.
Be at the flat area near 12,200 feet by 10:30 a.m.
Nothing hard; fallen trees low on the ridge.
Easy. On the Rainbow Trail, watch for the Marble trail going right where you reach the ridge crest.
Very little. Bring what you need.
Getting to the trailhead
South Colony Road (Rainbow Trail)
Head south out of Westcliffe on Colorado 69 and take Colfax Lane right after 4.5 miles. Where it ends, 5.5 miles along, go right a mile to a junction, where the road usually closes in winter. Keep straight on road 120 a short way to the 2WD parking.
In summer, good-clearance 4WD vehicles can drive about 2.5 miles farther to the signed Rainbow Trail junction.
Base towns and camping for this climb
Coming from out of state? See Lodging & Camping for how free camping works, what is closed this year and where to stay.
Before you go
Check these the week of your climb.
Official forecast
The National Weather Service forecast for the summit area, hour by hour. Look for thunderstorm chances and wind above treeline.
NWS point forecast →Directions to the trailhead
South Colony Road (Rainbow Trail). Road conditions near the trailhead change after storms. Check your clearance and have a backup plan for a lower lot.
Get directions →Roads and highways
Closures, construction and winter conditions on the highways that get you there.
COtrip road conditions →Closures and fire rules
Trail closures, fire bans and other alerts from the Forest Service in Colorado. For the latest on your trailhead, call the local ranger district.
Forest Service alerts →Snow on the route?
From fall through early summer, any snow slope can slide. Check the avalanche forecast before you go.
Avalanche forecast →Cell signal
Most trailheads and many summits have little or no signal. Check coverage near the trailhead and carry a satellite messenger or beacon if you can.
FCC coverage map →