How to reach Rocky Mountain National Park

Cub Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Sitting in Colorado’s famous Front Range about 90 minutes north of Denver, Rocky Mountain National Park is easy to reach.

From the south and east, Interstates 76, 70 and 25 converge upon Denver. From there, take I-25 north then exit onto U.S. Hwy. 36, which heads through Boulder on its way to Estes Park. You then can choose to enter the park via U.S. Hwys. 34 or 36 or Colorado Hwy. 7. A great hike to take near these entrances is the Alberta Falls Trail, which heads to a popular waterfall amid the mountain scenery.

If coming into Colorado on I-25 from Wyoming to the north, exit onto Hwy 34 and head east through Loveland into Estes Park. The Lawn Lake Trail, which offers an opportunity to see a lot of park wildlife, is easy to reach from this approach.

Those arriving from the west via I-70 can exit on U.S. Hwy 40 and head north through the mountains to Grandby. From there, take Hwy. 34 north to Grand Lake and into the park. The Colorado River Trail marks a good option for exploring this side of the park.

Anyone visiting who doesn't live at a high altitude should take a day to acclimate upon arriving in the park. There really is less oxygen that high up, and altitude sickness can be a problem if you jump right into hiking the sights.

Learn more about national park day hiking trails in my Best Sights to See at America’s National Parks series.

See old mining town’s ruins on RMNP trail

Modern Lulu City in Rocky Mountain National Park, courtesy of Flickr.

Colorado River Trail map, courtesy Rocky Mountain NPS.

Hike leaves from
park's famous
Trail Ridge Road

The best way to see the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park is a drive along the famous Trail Ridge Road, a 48-mile section of U.S. Hwy 34 running from Estes Park to Grand Lake. Designed in the 1930s to sweep across the landscape to give grand views of the mountains, drivers gain elevation on it via long continuous curves. Plenty of turnouts to enjoy fantastic vistas – as well as many trailheads to explore those sights up close – can be found along the highway.

Among the best of the latter is the Colorado River trailhead, which is open year-round on a highway that often closes mid-October through May thanks to the heavy snowfall. To reach it, from Trail Ridge Road turn west into the marked parking lot for the trailhead, which is closer to Grand Lake than Estes Park.

From there, take the Colorado River Trail to the ruins of an 19th century mining town, Lulu City, in a 6.2-miles round trip with 320-foot elevation gain. The trail leaves from the lot's north side at 9040 feet above sea level.

Elk and grouse
Crossing a thick rolling woodland, the trail offers nice views of Colorado River, arguably the Southwest’s most important waterway. The trail runs in the same direction as the river but never comes within more than 100 feet of it. If the river looks a bit small, that’s because you’re very close to its source, which is La Poudre Pass Lake just 6.5 miles from the trailhead.

Grassy meadows can be found along the way. It’s the perfect environment for elk to graze and then hide in the woods, and you’ll likely see some of the large hoofed mammals here. Be sure to remain clear of them, especially if they pull their ears back or make any threatening gestures, which is a sign that a calf is nearby.

In addition to the river and elk, lining the horizon to the west is the Never Summer Mountains range. Though a small range, it’s quite tall with ten peaks rising above 12,000 feet. Having formed a mere 24-29 million years ago, they’re also much younger than the surrounding Rockies, which rose 55-88 million years ago.

Closer to the trail, dusky grouse often can be seen feeding on seeds and raspberries in the brush, especially near conifers. The bird has the interesting habit of moving to higher elevations during winter where it feeds on evergreen needles.

Mining ruins
The first man-made site along the way is the ruins of the Shipler mine on a talus slop just above the trail. A few yards later is the Shipler cabin, a set of stacked logs in a small clearing.

About three miles from the trailhead, the route turns sharply right and begins to climb steeply. Watch closely for the narrow stem trail that runs to Lulu City, and take it left. The path drops about 100 feet in elevation before arriving at the ruins.

From 1879-84, Lulu City was a gold, silver and lead mining town with a population of about 200. At that time, 40 cabins, several sawmills, a hotel, a justice of the peace, and a stagecoach service (with rides to and from Fort Collins three times a week) filled this area. As the silver turned out to be low grade, the cost of transporting it simply wasn’t worth it, and the site soon was abandoned. All that remains of Lulu City today are a few log cabin planks and a modern albeit rustic sign marking the location.

Upon taking in the ruins, retrace your steps back to the parking lot.

Note: Some maps refer to this as La Poudre Pass Trail. If continuing the hike behind the turnoff to Lulu City, the trail heads to that pass and the Colorado River’s source.

Learn more about the park's day hiking trails in my Best Sights to See at Rocky Mountain National Park guidebook.

Waterfall, moose await on west RMNP trail

Adams Falls, Rocky Mountain National Park, courtesy of Flikr.

Topo map for Adams Falls.

Adams Falls
tumbles 55'
over cascades

Day hikers can enjoy a 55-foot waterfall in Rocky Mountain National Park on the Adams Falls Trail.

The 0.9-miles round trip is an easy walk on the park’s west side. Autumn marks a great time to hike the trail as aspen leaves have turned a brilliant yellow, though the waterflow at the falls will be low compared to May when at its peak.

To reach the trailhead, from Grand Lake, Colo., take West Portal Road east/south to the East Inlet parking lot. This is the national park’s West Portal. Because the trail starts outside of the park’s boundaries, there are no entrance fees.

The East Inlet Trailhead begins at the lot’s southeast corner. The National Park Service and the Civilian Conservation Corps constructed the trail using rock, wood and dirt from the local area. There is a neat wood fence at the trailhead and impressive masonry near the falls.

The elevation is 8390 feet above sea level, so though the trail is easy, take your time. There really is less oxygen this high up, and altitude sickness can set in for those not acclimated.

Fortunately, the trail instantly relaxes you as it heads uphill through fragrant pines mixed with aspen. After entering the park, about a third of a mile from the trailhead, you’ll reach a side trail that goes to the waterfalls. Turn right/south onto the new trail.

In short order, you’ll come to an overlook of the picturesque falls, which drops 55 feet over several steps on East Inlet Creek. The falls is named for Jay Adams, one of the first white settlers of the Grand Lake area in the 1800s; it previously was called Ousel Falls.

From the overlook, the trail runs to the top of the falls. This vista not only gives another great view of the falls but the waterbody Grand Lake to the northwest.

The trail next goes north and rejoins the East Inlet Trail. From there, turn left/west, heading back to the parking lot.

If you have some extra energy, though, instead go right/east. In a half-mile, you’ll reach the point where East Inlet and Echo creeks merge. A large meadow with wildflowers – and sometimes even moose – can be found there. The hike from the parking lot Adams Falls to the creeks’ confluence runs 1.9-miles round trip.

Learn more about the park's day hiking trails in my Best Sights to See at Rocky Mountain National Park guidebook.