The Hanging Lake Trail, one of Colorado’s most iconic hiking routes, was devastated in 2020 thanks to the Grizzly Creek Fire and severe flooding that followed shortly after. But now, several years later, that trail is looking like it’s ready to reopen.
The Hanging Lake Trail takes hikers on a 1.2 mile hike through Glenwood Canyon in the White River National Forest, drawing visitors from around the world with promises of turquoise waters, canyon walls, and stunning waterfalls. In 2020, the Grizzly Creek Fire devastated the region. Less then a year later, heavy flooding washed out large sections of the trail and left all seven bridges damaged.
Restoring the route quickly became a top priority for both local communities and public lands managers. It’s been a major driver for the regional outdoor economy and marks on of the most visited trails in the state. So the National Forest Foundation led a coalition of partners looking to develop a long-term reconstruction plan while continuing to keep the trail accessible.
Funding for the plan came from the Colorado Lottery, Get Outdoors Colorado, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the City of Glenwood Springs, the U.S. Forest Service, and other local contributors. An initial temporary trail was finished in 2022, allowing the public to access the area while the team worked on a permanent solution built to handle the heavy use and worsening enironmental conditions.
The construction on that permanent trail began in April of 2024, and it’s now expected to wrap up this summer. It will feature more than 1,000 hand-placed stone steps, seven replaced bridges designed to withstand future flooding events, and a new boardwalk at Spouting Rock. It also includes protections for streamside habitat and cultural resources.
Those looking to hike the trail are required to grab a timed-entry permit all-year-round. Permits are available hourly, with times changing depending on the season. Every reservation offers a 3-hour window. The Hanging Lake Trial does feature 1,200 feet of elevation gain over just 1.2 miles, so don’t plan on it being an easy hike. On average it takes about two hours to reach the top and one hour to return to the bottom.