Colorado River Trail to Lulu City

The route follows the old Grand Lake–Lulu City wagon road. After roughly a tenth of a mile, a short, stiff rise eases. At the Red Mountain Trail junction near the half-mile mark, continue straight for Lulu City. The path is broad through spruce and lodgepole pine at first, then reaches the Colorado River around mile one. Beyond the river it gets rougher as it climbs up-valley, with aspen groves and meadows opening toward the Never Summer Mountains.

Around mile 1.8, look below the path for a rusting mining car and tailings. Near mile 2.2, the route crosses Crater Creek by footbridge; Shipler Cabin remains are roughly 100 yards beyond and about 20 yards off the trail, so they are easy to pass. At the signed Lulu City turn, the path drops toward a flowered clearing. Very little of the town is obvious now. Stay on the established trail instead of following faint paths around the site. For a photo, include the open meadow and Lulu Mountain; the cabin remnants are subtle.

Lulu City began in 1879 after prospector Joe Shipler found silver. As many as 500 prospectors came through, but the mines produced low-grade gold, silver and lead, and the nearest smelters were more than 100 wagon miles away. The town faded within about four years. It was named for Lulu, the daughter of founder Benjamin Franklin Burnett; it once had a hotel, post office and justice of the peace. The wagon-road alignment became the town's main street, and the tailings and cabin traces are the clearest reminders along the walk.

If the townsite is too long a commitment, a simple walk of about half a mile reaches the Colorado River from the trailhead. The starting picnic area has six tables, four fire grates and a vault/composting toilet. No food or potable water is listed at the trailhead or along the route, so carry what you need. Elk, moose, coyotes and foxes use the valley, but sightings are never guaranteed; give wildlife room. Pets are prohibited on park trails.