The Spirit of the Rockies
www.thespiritoftherockies.net
Hike Profiles for Rocky Mountain National Park and Surrounding Areas
Shipler Park
Shipler Park is the first of

several destinations on the

Colorado River Trail. This

open area lies along the

Colorado River, and is

accessible via a fairly level trail.
Distance: 2.3 miles one-way

Park elevation: 9,140 feet

Trailhead elevation: 9,000 feet

Net elevation gain: 140 feet

Colorado River Trailhead

Rocky Mountain National Park
Colorado River through Shipler Park
Major Trail Landmarks
Junction of Colorado Rover and Red Mountain Trails (0.6 miles one-way from trailhead)
Principal Destinations Near Shipler Park
Lulu City site (3.7 miles one-way from trailhead) - via Colorado River Trail
Thunder Pass (6.9 miles one-way from trailhead) - via Colorado River Trail to Thunder Pass Trail
Backcountry Campsites Near Shipler Park
There are no designated campsites near Shipler Park
The Colorado River Trailhead is on the west side of the Continental Divide between Grand Lake and Milner
Pass. Follow Highway 34 (Trail Ridge Road) either 10 miles north of the Kawuneeche Visitor Center
or 7 miles south of Milner Pass. The large trailhead parking area is on the west side of the highway.

The Colorado River Trail leads north on a mostly level grade to the large meadow at Shipler Park. At the
north end of the meadow, about 2.5 miles from the trailhead, are a few remains of two late 1800's mining
cabins.The Colorado River can be accessed by small, unmarked paths in the park.
Sample photographs of the hike to Shipler Park
Looking west from Shipler Park
Colorado River Trail
Shipler Park topographic map
Principal summer trail marked by solid red line; unmaintained trail or route marked by dashed red line.
Map is oriented with north to the top of the map
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All photographs are property of Mike Amfahr and are protected by copyright laws.
Topographic map is property of and copyrighted by Maps a la carte, Inc., and is used on this site with permission.