Lulu City Out-and-Back

The historic town of Lulu City lies just under four miles north of the Colorado River Trailhead. This route parallels the river, passing old mining remnants along the way and offers trail users a glimpse into the past. This is a great route for families given its rich historical significance and manageable duration.

Immediately after starting on this trail, climb up and over a short but steep hill. Continue along the trail as it meanders along the eastern bank of the Colorado River, just below Shipler Mountain Enjoy the sweeping views of the Colorado River valley and keep an eye out for some of the plentiful wildlife present in the park. As you continue northward, signs of the historic mining industry will become evident.

Looks for many trails branching off uphill and leading to old mine shafts. If you decide to divert up to one of the mine shafts, use extreme caution as old mines can be very unstable and prone to caving events.

Eventually, you'll arrive at Shipler Park and the ruins of Joe Shipler's Cabin. Continue north on the trail until you reach a junction with the Lulu City Trail Spur and the Little Yellowstone Trail. Stay left and follow the spur for a quarter mile to the remnants of the old mining town of Lulu City. This is a good turn-around point. If more miles are desired, consider Continuing north on the Lulu City Trail Spur until it terminates ath the Little Yellowstone Trail. Turn right onto West Fork - Little Yellowstone and follow that back to the south.

RMNP is a massive park that is mostly characterized by a montane ecosystem. Here are some of the flora and fauna that you may encounter along this trail:

Flora: Ponderosa pine, douglas fir, wildflowers, shrubs
Fauna: Elk, mule deer, moose, bighorn sheep, coyotes, black bears, cougars, butterflies.

For more detailed information regarding the park's diverse ecosystems, click HERE.

Lulu City, a town of 500 at its peak, only lasted from 1879 to 1883. Of the many shops and cabins that settlers built in Lulu City, including a grocery, butcher shop, post office, and a saloon, the only visible structural remains are those of a log cabin. Researchers found
several building platform outlines as well as some scattered artifacts.