All you need to know about The Brilliant Hanging Lake in Colorado Rockies

Trail Overview, Trail Tips, Hike Essentials, the Permit & Shuttle System, Campgrounds, it’s Geology.

Humans have altered most of the natural habitats on our planet. Only a few of them have managed to remain unscathed. Primarily because they are too hard to reach. The Hanging Lake in Glenwood Canyon Colorado Rockies is one such blessed place. Perched at an elevation of over 7000 ft in Southern Rocky Mountains, this tranquil lake is a National Natural Landmark.

The Hanging Lake Trail is one of Colorado’s most visited and beautiful short hikes. It is located in the White River National Forest near Glenwood Springs, Colorado; at just 3 hours of driving distance from the Denver airport. the trail takes you along Dead Horse Creek and through the rocky Glenwood Canyon.

We visited the Hanging Lake on my husband’s birthday 🎂. For us, all the important dates are marked by either a visit to National Park or doing an adventure activity. (We went Skydiving on my birthday 😎).

Honestly, the beauty of Hanging Lake exceeded my expectations. The view at the top is simply indescribable. The trail itself is perfect with the creek, trees, rock formations, and little bridges to cross along the way.

The brilliantly turquoise Hanging Lake is as transparent as air. You can see trouts, tree logs, living roots, lake bed and all the microscopic life that contribute to the magical colour of the lake distinctly.

Table of Contents

1. Hanging Lake — A Geological Wonder
2. Trail Overview
3. Trail Tips
4. Hike Essentials
5. The Permit & the Shuttle System
6. Campgrounds
7. Good to Know Facts

1. Hanging Lake — A Geological Wonder

The fragile shoreline of the Hanging Lake is a result of millions of years of deposits of dissolved limestone over rocks and logs. Technically, these deposits are known as travertine.

The source of limestone is the Glenwood Canyon walls; Melting of ice from the top of the canyon bed into the canyon walls caused the dissolution of limestone. As a result, the travertine system formed here.

The lake itself was formed by a geologic fault; which caused the lake bed to drop away from the gently sloping valley above it. Water flows into the lake by Bridal Veil Falls. Over time, the flowing water has deposited carbonates on the rocks and logs including travertine. The mix of minerals, carbonates and travertine give the lake it’s ethereal depth and colour.

2. Trail Overview

The Journey

• It’s a short but strenuous hike 🏃‍♀. Gains approx 1200 feet of altitude in little over a mile.
• There are plenty of benches along the way. You can take as many breaks as you feel like.
• The trail winds through the Glenwood Canyon. That means you will be climbing alongside tall rocky walls.
• Because of the canyon walls and trees, almost the entire hike is shaded 😃 which kind of compensates for its continuous heart-pumping ascent.
• The Dead Horse Creek crosses the trail multiple times. There are wooden bridges (guess there are 7 of those) to cross the creek. No doubt, this trail is very well maintained.
• The hanging gardens 🌿, trees 🌲, chirping birds 🦅, a creek, mini waterfalls 💦, wooden bridges; All contribute to the picturesque scenery. We must have stopped at least 10 times on the trail to click pictures 😀.
• The whole trail is visually enchanting making the hike a very enjoyable one. No surprise, it’s a very popular one.

• Just before reaching the Hanging Lake, there a short section of a really steep climb. To make the climb easier, a staircase is carved in the rocks and handrailing is provided for support.
• If you can, take a minute to breathe in the expansive view of the canyon from this handrailing section.
• You will soon reach a fork, on your right 👉 is the hanging lake and straight ahead would the sprouting rock.

The Destination

• You will be amazed by the colours and character of the Hanging Lake. This Lake does have a personality 😃.
• There is a boardwalk on the periphery of the lake which helps to observe and appreciate the lake from three sides. But the boardwalk diminishes the feeling of a lake hanging in the mountains.
• The Bridal Veil falls pour water into the lake. These falls are fed by the water coming from the spouting rock above it.
• Finally, the last stop of the trail — Spouting Rock. It is just 10 mins walk from the lake.
• Spouting Rock has 3 falls, 2 of which appear to be coming straight out of the rock wall 😯. You can walk behind them. Kids love it.

3. Trail Tips

• The Hanging Lake is one of the most popular if not the most popular hike in Colorado Rockies, so avoid holiday weekends.
• Unless you are a pro hiker, it’s best not to hike in winters, early Spring and late Fall. The rocky section can become icy and very slippery.
• Take your time and don’t pass folks on the handrail section.
• It’s best to hold the hands of kids in the handrail section.
• The cardinal rule for hiking in the wilderness is — Leave No Trace. Pack out your plastic water bottles and other trash.
• Please don’t feed the wildlife (I know you will be tempted to) 🐿. As it makes them dependent upon an unnatural food source (especially fingers).
• From the shuttle stop 🚐 it is about a ten-minute walk on the paved Glenwood Canyon Bike trail to the Hanging Lake trailhead, where permits are checked before one is allowed to get on the trail.
• At the trailhead, there are clean restrooms, a water fountain and trash cans. There are no facilities elsewhere on the trail. Use them when you can 🙂.
• The shuttle system functions the same as the trains in Switzerland. They leave right on time ⏰and do not wait for anyone. Show up a little early and be ready to go.
• On average, it takes between 2–4 hours to complete this 2.4-mile trail. Plan accordingly 📝.

4. Hike Essentials

• Carry more water 💧 than you think you would need; especially during the summer months. Unless you are Bear Grylls.
• Always carry some snacks 🍫 along when you go for a hike. They help to keep your energy levels up.
• As this hike entails solid knee workout; Carrying a trekking pole would be wise. It helps decrease the impact on your knees and spreading it across your arms. Or you can be resourceful (like me) and find a sturdy wooden stick that serves the purpose 😃.
• At some places, the creek flows over the trail, more like little streams. Thus, it will be wise to carry a change of socks. Frankly, wearing waterproof hiking boots may be overkill 🤔.
• Lastly, the usual suspects — Sunscreen, Hat 👒 and a great camera 📸 with ample battery and memory.

5. The Permit & The Shuttle System

The brilliant blue-green colours of the lake are akin to an exotic beach. Only if there was some open space to lounge around it. Hanging Lake is one of the biggest, unchanged travertine systems in the Colorado Rockies. Another magnificent example of the travertine systems is the Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park 👌. They are very different in comparison to the travertine systems here. Mammoth Hot Springs is amazingly beautiful. To know more, read my article on Must-See Places in Yellowstone NP.

Unquestionably, the lake has become ultra-popular in the last few years 💁‍♀. Increase in footfall has caused a threat to the fragile ecosystem of the Hanging Lake 😞. Therefore the authorities decided to regulate the number of people visiting. Also, the trailhead is located right off the I 70 adjacent to the Colorado River; Making it impossible to expand the parking lot.

The Pre Permit Era

In the pre-permit era (before Feb 2019), finding parking at the Hanging Lake trailhead was a big deal. For instance, we had to wait for 4 hours to find a spot in a not so busy season 😔. To give you a perspective of how things worked when the permit system was not in place, I’ll share my story, briefly.

We visited at the tail end of the busy season and that’s why I did not think that parking would be a problem for us. So we reached the Hanging Lake Parking lot by 12 in the noon. But to my surprise, the parking lot was full, so the ranger asked us to check in sometime 😧. We went to the nearest Rest Area (about 15 mins drive) and kept checking for parking after every 45 mins 🤦‍♀. Finally, we got the parking on our 4th round, around 4 PM? We wasted 4 hours of our precious vacation time for a parking spot; Can you believe it?

I would rather spend the money 💰on a ticket then wait for 4 hours (with no guarantee) for parking.

The Post Permit Era

In the post permit era, you will have to shell out $12 per person. It includes a permit to hike and a shuttle ride till the trailhead. You can make a reservation online or purchase the permit at the window. When booking online 📱, you will be asked to choose a date and a time slot.

If for some reason you miss the allotted time slot, talk the staff at the trailhead. They may let you go depending on the trail capacity at that time.

If you wish to bike till the Hanging Lake 🚲, you will have to take a bike permit. Both the permit costs the same. You can also pedal on the Glenwood Canyon Recreation Trail. Keep in mind ☝ that bikes are not allowed on the shuttle or the trail.

Get your reservations done sooner than later as only 615 permits are issued for one day. This system certainly ensures that only a limited number of people are at the lake at a given time.

While the shuttle services are available only during the peak season, that is, May 1 — Oct 31; the permits to visit the Hanging Lake are required year-round. Honestly, I do feel that the permit fee could be a little less.

The shuttle starts from the Hanging Lake Welcome Center. The welcome centre is right next to the Glenwood Springs Rec Center.

6. Campgrounds close to the Hanging Lake

Though camping is not allowed on the Hanging Lake trail, there are many campgrounds in the vicinity. Here are some worthy options:

The Avalanche Creek Site Campground 🏕

It is an hour drive from the Hanging Lake trailhead. It’s close to Maroon Bells trailhead also. No reservations are required. Click here for more details.

Redstone Campground 🏕

Only 37 miles from the hanging lake. Reservations are required. Click here to know more.

Bogen Flats Campground along the Crystal River 🏕

45 miles from the hanging lake. Reservations are required. Click here for details.

7. Good To Know Facts

Frozen Bridal Veil Falls.

1. There are no pets allowed on this trail. You can check for pet boarding options.
2. There is no cell service available on the Hanging Lake trail.
3. Fishing is not allowed in the Hanging Lake. You can fish in the Colorado River at the trailhead if you want to.
4. Touching or drinking Hanging Lake’s water is strictly prohibited as well as standing under, behind or on top of the waterfalls and walking on the fallen tree logs within the lake.
5. This is a no drone area.
6. It’s best to go in the morning, as you will have very little company 😄.

If you plan to go hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park, you can refer the Guide to the Most Rewarding Hike in Colorado Rockies. For those of you who love hiking in National Parks, read about some of the stunning hikes in Zion NP and Bryce NP. For night sky gazers, know about my superb experience in Natural Bridges National Monument.

Happy Hiking and Happy Travels. Ciao!