Glenwood Canyon
160 miles from Denver and east of the town of Glenwood Springs is beautiful Glenwood Canyon. It takes the I-70 path alongside the Colorado River through canyon walls which rise an average of 1000 feet. It was only recently that the long construction project to expand the Interstate while retaining the beauty and environmental aspects of the Canyon was completed. From early on, the historic town of Glenwood Springs brought visitors and enthusiasts of the mineral water baths. The famous Glenwood Hot Springs Pool was opened in 1888, and at that time the newly built train tracks ran alongside the Colorado River to bring guests to Glenwood.
In 1903, a dirt roadway was being carved to reach the Glenwood area, and hardy, adventurous people could jump into their roadster and make their way into the Rocky Mountains. Over the years, the drive has changed. In 1930, a 2-lane paved highway (U.S. 6) was constructed, which twisted and turned alongside the river – and then became a primary link between Denver and the western part of the United States for the next 60 years. As traffic and accidents in the narrow, dangerous areas of the canyon increased, the need for a faster, more spacious and safer highway became evident, so plans for the new Glenwood Canyon Interstate were considered. It was a huge challenge to engineer a modern four-lane freeway into a narrow gorge which barely accommodated the current 2-lane road. In the 1960′s and 1970′s, the increase in traffic was partly to blame for this highway becoming one of the most dangerous in Colorado. The environmental and wildlife impact was being carefully considered and safety was a priority. The residents of the area were included in the planning and development stages, due to their concerns.
The answer came in the form of creating two separate highways, one of which would be elevated over the other. This would involve 40 bridges and viaducts, 15 miles of retaining walls and a 4,000 ft. long tunnel for traffic to flow both directions. All of this was designed so that the environmental impact would be as low as possible, and that resulted in such a beautiful and scenic drive without the usual Interstate “look”. When the construction impacted plants and removed vegetation, a massive program involving the seeding and replanting of more than 150,000 native plants helped bring the canyon back to its original condition after construction. Wildlife was protected so animals wouldn’t intersect the highway while making their way to the river. When the new highway was opened to traffic on October 14, 1992, the Glenwood Canyon project “marked a milestone in the Nation’s transportation history…it symbolized the completion of the original U.S. interstate highway system.” This highly acclaimed project was so stunning in its design and plan, and implementation that it received over 30 awards including the 1993 Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers. CDOT (Colorado Department of Transportation) and Centric Constructors were responsible for a monumental success.
Now, 12 years after the opening of the new Interstate, people are still enjoying the beauty and recreational opportunities the Canyon affords. With a paved pedestrian and bike path that extends 16 miles, the Glenwood Canyon Recreational Trail takes you alongside the Colorado River at the base of Glenwood Canyon. All the equipment you would need to take a wonderful family bike adventure can be rented nearby at Canyon Bikes, making the day complete. A shuttle service is available for people who want to ride the entire trail starting from the Dotsero trailhead, making the trip even easier with a downhill grade. There are four individual rest areas designed with restrooms, parking and picnic facilities along the route, and the most spectacular hiking areas including Hanging Lake Trail. A visit to Hanging Lake will be a highlight of your adventure through the Glenwood Canyon and is an unforgettable experience.
River rafters enjoy special facilities for launching boats, rafts and kayaks, so they can spend the day running the sections of rapids on the Colorado River. Anglers appreciate the ample space and access to the river to enjoy a day of trout fishing. “Fishing also has improved since the days of the two-lane highway, according to Drew Reid, a longtime local fishing guide with Roaring Fork Anglers of Glenwood Springs. Though the overall fish population appears to have stayed about the same, rock embankments constructed along these narrower sections have provided new and enhanced trout habitat.” Many local residents and frequent visitors say the canyon is actually safer, cleaner, and more accessible than it was before the highway was upgraded to an interstate.
Enjoy this scenic drive with your family and see what the Glenwood Canyon has to offer!
Glenwood Canyon Photo Gallery
Where is Glenwood Springs Canyon?
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