Rocky Mountain National Park (Lulu City)

I asked the ranger at the visitor center what hike would she recommend for Fall foliage.  She hiked to Lulu City a few days ago and she thought it was pretty good.  After looking at the map, I noticed it followed along the Colorado River.  That sounded good to me.

While walking along the river (here it's barely a creek), I watched in amazement as that water will end up in the Gulf of California.  Of course, the water has a lot of obstacles to go through before reaching Mexico.  It can end up in somebody's drinking water in Colorado, Nevada, Utah, Arizona or California.  It may be irrigated for agriculture.  It also may end up in the numerous fountains in Las Vegas.

About all the fall foliage on this hike

The mighty Colorado

Also one of the few spots where fall is noticeable

There were quite a few people out on this day.  Admission to the park was free.  Still, I was surprised to see so many.  Only about 10% of the people who enter our National Parks leave the road.  Today it seemed like more than that.  I would change my mind when I saw the traffic jam leaving the park later on.

Unfortunately, this did not make for much of a foliage hike.  I think being from the east coast, I have greater expectations of what autumn is supposed to bring.  Still, I enjoyed the walk.  There was not much in elevation and there were some nice views along the way.

I made it to Lulu City in a little over an hour.  Lulu City at one time had 200 residents.  The climate did not cooperate much, so the settlers got out.  Although beautiful, the area they picked looked very remote along with the harsh environment.

Colorado River and site of Lulu City

More foliage

On the way back I came upon an elk.  At first I wasn't sure what it was.  "Maybe it's a mule deer."  But a couple hikers who had stopped watching another elk in the woods told me they were definitely elk.  I could here the elk's bugling calls.  We proceeded up the trail to see a bull walking in front of a group of hikers.

This bull is apparently a stud because he has a herd of cows he plans to mate with.  They expend quite a bit of energy keeping them in line.  There are many bulls who roam solo.  Not this one.