Access to Colorado's iconic Hanging Lake limited during reconstruction in 2024

Beginning in May, access will be limited to Hanging Lake and other Glenwood Canyon trails while trail reconstruction work, bridge replacements, and other improvements are completed, the National Forest Service announced Friday.

The work will repair damage from catastrophic debris flows in 2021 and make the trails better able to handle future high water and debris.

"Trail improvements and ecological restoration will begin May 1 in order to make the 1.2-mile Hanging Lake Trail more sustainable, safe and resilient," the NFS said. "Highlights of the project include replacing the trail’s seven bridges to better accommodate high water and constructing a boardwalk at Spouting Rock to reduce erosion and other impacts."

During the construction the Hanging Lake Trail will be closed Monday-Friday as well as some weekends once bridge replacement begin later in the summer.

Construction is expected to continue throughout the summer and into the fall, the NFS said with reservations still available weekly from www.visitglenwood.com. Available hiking dates and times are released every Tuesday beginning at 8 a.m., April 30.

“This work would not be possible without the significant support of our partners,” acting White River National Forest Supervisor Heather Noel said. “We appreciate the public’s patience as we complete these improvements that will ensure world-class visitor experiences on our Glenwood Canyon trails for decades to come.”

The Hanging Lake reconstruction project is being funded through Great Outdoors Colorado, Colorado Parks and Wildlife State Trails Program, the National Forest Foundation, City of Glenwood Springs, H2O Ventures, and the USDA Forest Service.

Other needs happening in Glenwood Canyon

Reconstruction work on Grizzly Creek and Jessie Weaver (No Name) trails in Glenwood Canyon is expected to begin in May as well.

Once construction begins, the existing trail closure two miles up the Grizzly Creek trail will be extended down to the picnic tables, or about 0.3 miles from the trailhead.

"The existing closure of the Jessie Weaver Trail will be slightly extended to the first bridge, about three miles from its trailhead. Construction updates for these trails will be posted at www.fs.usda.gov/whiteriver," the NFS said.

Bridge replacements on both Grizzly Creek and Jessie Weaver along with trail reconstruction will allow hikers to hike from one trailhead to the other, even during high water.

“This work will restore a trail connection that has been extremely popular with local hikers,” Noel said.

The Grizzly Creek and Jessie Weaver Trail Reconstruction Project is being funded by City of Glenwood Springs, National Forest Foundation, and the USDA Forest Service, including Great American Outdoors Act funding.