Hike Up a Canyon Gut Trail to Hanging Lake

Glenwood Springs, Colorado

Save

View all 3 photos

All 3 photos

Save Review Directions Add Photo

Details

Distance

2.5 miles

Elevation Gain

1065 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Alaina Donovan

Described as geological wonder, Hanging Lake lives up to the name by having the most intensely colored water and being home to a rare, fragile ecosystem. A quick, steep 1 mile with a rewarding, jaw-dropping view. Definitely Instagram worthy.

The trail head is directly off an I-70 (exit 125, eastbound only) rest area. A steep 2.5 mile roundtrip hike on a rocky path. Hanging Lake receives over 131,000 visitors per year and is one of the most visited places in Colorado. It is up the gut of the canyon and is quite a marvel. The lake is hanging on the edge of a cliff face creating a waterfall. You could spend hours gazing into the clear, colored waters. I would recommend hiking it early in the morning and in the summer so there isn't too may people or snow on the ground

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Chillin

Photography

Backpacking

Hiking

Bathrooms

Easy Parking

Family Friendly

Food Nearby

Forest

Lake

Picnic Area

River

Romantic

Scenic

Waterfall

Wildflowers

Wildlife

Hike Up a Canyon Gut Trail to Hanging Lake Reviews

Have you done this adventure? Be the first to leave a review!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Spouting Rock via Hanging Lakes Trail

To get to Spouting Rock you need to take the same trailhead as Hanging Lake. I made the hike in the offseason when there was still ice on the trail and using crampons were imperative. The hike to Hanging Lake is rather steep and while it's only about 1.2 miles long it takes about an hour. Once you reach the lake there is a cut off for Spouting Rock. I've seen several friends that have made the ...

Hanging Lake

Hanging Lake is a beautifully unique natural wonder. Surrounded by dramatic, pine tree lined cliffs, a unique community of hanging plants thrive beside waterfalls cascading in to this glimmering turquoise pool of water. If this isn’t enough to entice you- the trail leading up to the lake is rather delightful. Note: This hike requires permits. Visit the Glenwood Springs website for more informa...

Hike the Grizzly Creek Trail

Take exit 121 off Interstate 70 (a rest stop exit), and follow signs to a secondary parking lot near Grizzly Creek. This is a great addition to the nearby Hanging Lake & Spouting Rock hikes just 4 miles East on I-70. Because these two are so popular, Grizzly Creek is a great, not very well known alternative, if you can't make it on the other hikes! Being an out-and-back route, choose the le...

Relax at Glenwood Hot Springs

Glenwood is best known for its large hot springs pool, kept between 90 and 93 degrees, while the minerals in the water are meant to provide a natural therapy to the body. There is also a smaller therapy pool, at 104 degrees, and a spa, as well. You'll find all the amenities you need here, and within reach of lots of outdoors attractions and activities.

Camp at Deep Creek Campground

I was driving from Denver to Telluride and wanted a camping spot along the way so I decided to make a random turn off of 70 and sure enough found some beautiful BLM land to camp on. The Deep Creek Campground is along a dirt road about 2 miles off of a paved road. There are 6 camping sites along the road that follows the creek. If you're thinking of staying here long term there are time limits: ...

Camp at Dotsero Crater

COLORADO'S YOUNGEST VOLCANO The Dotsero crater is Colorado's youngest volcano, erupting a mere 4,200 years ago. While the crater may not be as dramatic as Mt. St Helens, Mt. Baker, or other volcanos in the U.S., it's quite an unusual terrain feature to come across in Colorado, and offers some great opportunities for camping, hiking, OHV use, and sightseeing. The crater sits within the Gypsum Hi...