You Are Here - Colorado River Trailhead - Rocky Mountains National Park, CO
N 40° 24.111 W 105° 50.927
13T E 427974 N 4472705
The Colorado River Trail is nearly a water level trail, only 350' of elevation gain. The southern end of the trail is at a parking area off US Hwy 34. Beginning elevation is about 9000'.
Waymark Code: WMM6BW
Location: Colorado, United States
Date Posted: 07/29/2014
Views: 2
Following the route of an old wagon road to the Shipler Mine and Lulu City, this hiking trail follows the Colorado River up the Kawuneeche Valley through Lodgepole Pine and Spruce forests on this family friendly hike to Lulu City.
For the first mile or so, the trail parallels US Hwy 34, winding though Lodgepole pine and Spruce forests. At about 0.6 miles, the trail crosses a large meadow, where it intersects with the Red Mountain Trail. You'll want to continue going straight (north); the Red Mountain Trail turns to the left (west). This meadow is the location of the Phantom Valley Ranch, a resort that operated until the 1960s, when the National Park Service purchased it, and tore it down to let the area revert to its original state.
At about 1.8 miles, look for the tailings of the Shipler Mine, and about 4/10 of a mile further (2.2 miles from the trailhead) for the remains of the Shipler cabins.
At 3.5 miles, the trail intersects with the La Poudre Pass Trail. take the trail to the left, and head down the hill to Lulu City, about 2/10 of a mile further in a large meadow area. So this is a 7.4 mile round trip.
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