Click on photo to continue up the trail.
Our Journey to Thunder Pass and Beyond begins at the Colorado River
trailhead, deep in the Kawuneeche Valley, at the last turnoff from Trail
Ridge Road (Hwy. 34) before it begins its long climb to the tundra.
This is about 2 miles north of the popular Timber Creek campground
in Rocky Mountain National Park. If you go the entire distance and
back in one day, you'll need an early morning start as shown above.
If you leave the day after a hard rain, you'll be more likely to have
clear and crisp skies. Thunder Pass is 7 miles ahead. Beyond are the
picture-perfect Michigan Lakes in a designated Colorado State Forest.
The first 4 miles are almost level and take you to Lulu City, the site
of an 1880's mining settlement.