Hanging Lake (Glenwood Canyon)

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If for some reason I could only do one hike the whole summer (God forbid), this would probably be the hike I would choose. The Hanging Lake trail is one of the most beautiful and unique hikes in all of Colorado. Lush, almost-tropical looking waterfalls and foliage contrast remarkably with jagged, reddish-brown canyon walls lining the trail. At the top is the crystal blue lake itself, being fed by powerful cascading falls. A short trek up reveals the source of these falls: another set of falls shooting out of the side of a cliff face (the aptly named Spouting Rock). The hike itself is only about two and a half miles round trip, but don't let that short distance fool you. This is a very steep trail with rocks that have been worn smooth by many feet. The trail is extremely popular in the summer and--depending on what time of the day you show up--there may be virtual traffic jams caused by people stopping to catch their breath. Needless to say, many of the people who attempt this trail are not prepared for how tough it is. Give yourself a fair amount of time, take a lot of water, and resist the urge to wade in the lake (it is home to a very delicate ecosystem). There is also another trail that branches off from the main path about a quarter of the way up. This is called the Dead Horse trail, but I don't know too much about it as I've never hiked it. Directions: From Glenwood Springs, follow I-70 east into Glenwood Canyon. Watch for the well-marked Hanging Lake exit. The parking lot is about a quarter of a mile from the actual trailhead (follow the concrete bike path). Note: if you are heading back to Denver after the hike, you will first have to backtrack along I-70 towards Glenwood Springs. The next exit will allow you to turn around and head east.

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Comments

[Jamie]

Beautiful Hiking
Wow, those pictures are great! I love the Pacific Northwest (where I live) but I don't think anything can beat the Rockies. Those waterfalls are paradise!