Hanging Lake is a lake in the U.S. State of Colorado. It is located in Glenwood Canyon, about east of Glenwood Springs, Colorado and is a popular tourist destination. When open, the lake is reached via a trailhead located along the Glenwood Canyon Bike and Pedestrian Path that runs along the north side of I-70 in the bottom of the canyon. The trail follows Dead Horse Creek, a tributary of the Colorado River and ascends some in elevation for from the trailhead to the lake.
History
Early tales of the discovery of the lake tell of a man searching for gold in the canyon. The man found a dead horse at the opening of a gulch. When he followed the gulch up through the steep hillside through the canyon he came around the back side of the lake. This is how he first saw the small bowl-like basin hanging onto the cliffs below. In the years following, the area served as a homestead and a private family retreat until it was purchased by Glenwood Springs after the Taylor Bill was passed by Congress in 1910. Following the purchase it began its long history as a public tourist stop, and later during the 1940s hosted a resort and cafe until the construction of Interstate-70 began in 1968. In 1972, the trail and the lake were returned to the protection of the Forest Service as part of the White River National Forest, and has been an increasingly popular tourist destination since. In 2011, the lake was named a National Natural Landmark by Secretary of the InteriorKen Salazar.
The fragile shoreline of Hanging Lake is composed of travertine, created when dissolved limestone from the Mississippian PeriodLeadville Formation is deposited on rocks and logs, creating travertine layers. Hanging Lake is located on a fault line and was formed when roughly an acre and a half of the valley floor sheared off from the fault and dropped to what is now the shallow bed of the lake. The turquoise colors of the lake are produced by carbonate minerals that have dissolved in the water.
Recreation
Hanging Lake is one of the most popular hiking destinations in Colorado. Beginning May 1, 2019, a paid permit is required to access the trailhead to Hanging Lake. Access fees vary by season. On February 22, 2019, The Forest Service and the City of Glenwood Springs announced that H2O Ventures was awarded the contract for the Hanging Lake Shuttle service, set to launch on May 1, 2019. The Hanging Lake parking area in Glenwood Canyon will be closed to personal vehicles during the peak season, May 1 to October 31, when the shuttle service is in operation. Those wishing to bike to the trailhead and hike to Hanging Lake still need to secure a reservation in advance. The entire hike is approximately 3.2 miles round trip, and 2 hours of hiking time. Behind the lake, hikers will discover Spouting Rock, a much larger waterfall that flows from a set of holes in the limestone cliffs of Dead Horse Canyon. Hanging Lake receives over 131,000 visitors per year.
Winter Access
During the winter, the Hanging Lake Trail is icy, snow-packed, and slippery. The use of winter traction devices is required as well as hiking poles. Cold temperatures also necessitate appropriate clothing, food, water, equipment, and winter survival gear. Hiking the trail may take longer due to winter conditions.
Restricted Activities
The travertine lake is extremely sensitive, therefore dogs, drones, fishing, and swimming are strictly prohibited. Do not harass, feed, or disturb wild animals, particularly during winter when they are conserving energy to stay alive. During winter, visitors are strongly warned to stay off the frozen lake because it is extremely dangerous to walk on the ice. Even during winter, walking off-trail is not permitted. Parking at Hanging Lake parking area is only allowed Nov. 1 - April 30 with a reservation. Parking is not allowed along entrance or exit ramps of I-70 at any time.
Fragile ecosystem
Because of the high amount of traffic, Hanging Lake faces the threats of ecological disruption. Litter from visitors, and the effects of wading and swimming by humans and dogs, are having a significant impact on the peculiar ecosystem of the lake.
