Hanging Lake

The name itself is intriguing… what exactly is a “hanging lake”? The story began before the 1900′s when a man in search of gold discovered a gulch with a dead horse in it. Presumably, that’s why he named it “Dead Horse Gulch”. He followed the gulch into a steep hillside canyon and found a small basin of a lake that was hanging onto the cliffs below. Being an astute observer he named it “Hanging Lake”. The name may tell you something, but the beauty of this gift of nature has to be seen in person. It started off as a homestead for a single family and remained so until 1910, when the land was purchased by the town of Glenwood Springs. It was then that everyone else had a chance to see this wonder.

In 1968, the construction of Interstate 70 began, making the area much more accessible. The lake and the surrounding area became the responsibility of the Forest Service in 1972 and the increasing popularity of the area began to grow even more. Hikers enjoy the trail beginning at the Hanging Lake Rest Stop in Glenwood Canyon (exit 125 on Eastbound I-70) where the bike trail is about 1/2 mile in length, then there is a 1.2 mile climb on a more difficult trail. That part of the trail can get steep and challenging, being rocky and not at all level in most spots. It’s a good idea to be prepared when you arrive with proper clothing and enough water and supplies for the day.

It’s important to realize that the shoreline of Hanging Lake is a fragile environment. It is made up of a travertine rock which over the years forms from dissolved limestone. You can see amazing examples of this mineral in the Yellowstone National Park area of Wyoming. Sedimentary layers of travertine can be damaged from human contact, and specifically from the oils in our skin, so the Forest Service requests that hikers not wade in the water in an effort to preserve the beauty of this natural wonder.