Hanging Lake

Hanging Lake is a lake in the U.S. State of Colorado. It is located in Glenwood Canyon, about 7 miles (11 km) 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 1,000 feet (300 m) in elevation for 1.6 miles (2.6 km) from the trailhead to the lake.[2]

Hanging Lake
View of the Glenwood Canyon from the Hanging Lake trail
Hanging Lake Winter 2019
For the lake on the Washington State, United States and British Columbia, Canada border, see Hanging Lake (Washington - British Columbia).
Hanging Lake
LocationGlenwood Canyon, Colorado
Coordinates39.60165°N 107.191997°W / 39.60165; -107.191997
Basin countriesUnited States
Surface elevation7,323 ft (2,232 m)[1]
DesignatedJune 2011

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 (the possible origin of the name of Dead Horse 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.[3]

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 Interior Ken Salazar.[4]

Geology and travertine

The fragile shoreline of Hanging Lake is composed of travertine, created when dissolved limestone from the Mississippian Period Leadville Formation (through which Dead Horse Creek flows) is deposited on rocks and logs, creating travertine layers.[5]

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.[6]

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.[7]

On February 22, 2019, The Forest Service and the City of Glenwood Springs announced that H2O Ventures (Glenwood Springs, Colorado) was awarded the contract for the Hanging Lake Shuttle service, set to launch on May 1, 2019.[8]

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.[9]

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.[10]

Hanging Lake receives over 131,000 visitors per year.[11]

Winter Access

During the winter, the Hanging Lake Trail is icy, snow-packed, and slippery. The use of winter traction devices is required (e.g. ice cleats, micro-spikes, mini crampons) 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.[12]

Restricted Activities

The travertine lake is extremely sensitive, therefore dogs, drones, fishing, and swimming (or bodily contact with water at Hanging Lake) 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 (whether partially or fully frozen) 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.[13]

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 (dogs and swimming are both prohibited), are having a significant impact on the peculiar ecosystem of the lake.[14]

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See also

References
  1. Hanging Lake Trail #1850
  2. "Hanging Lake, Colorado". Mountain Zone. Retrieved 2013-07-23.
  3. Gardner, John (28 August 2006). "Hanging Lake a fragile paradise". Aspen Times. Archived from the original on 18 September 2008. Retrieved 12 August 2008.
  4. "America's Great Outdoors: Secretary Salazar Designates Six New National Natural Landmarks" (Press release). United States Department of the Interior. 15 June 2011.
  5. "Hanging Lake". Colorado Outing. Archived from the original on 2012-07-23.
  6. "History and Geology of Colorado's Hanging Lake". dayhikesneardenver.com. Dayhikes Near Denver. Retrieved 2014-12-20.
  7. "Hanging Lake Trail #1850". United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
  8. Neidert, Marlene (2019-02-22). "Forest Service & Glenwood Springs declare Hanging Lake prices, operator". Visit Glenwood Springs. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
  9. Neidert, Marlene (2019-02-22). "Forest Service & Glenwood Springs declare Hanging Lake prices, operator". Visit Glenwood Springs. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
  10. "Hanging Lake Colorado Trail Profile". Retrieved 2014-12-20.
  11. Essex, Randy. "Agencies seek to thin crowds at Hanging Lake". postindependent.com. Retrieved 2014-12-20.
  12. "Visiting Hanging Lake in the Winter Months". United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  13. "Hanging Lake Trail #1850". United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
  14. Frankenberg, Angelyn. "Hanging Lake crowds threaten fragile ecosystem". postindependent.com. Retrieved 2014-12-20.
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