Glenwood Cavers and Hanging Lake

At sunrise I drove eastward on I-70 through the gorgeous Glenwood Canyon taking exit 125 to the parking area of Hanging Lake. The ride through Glenwood Canyon is considered by many to be the most beautiful part of the whole Interstate network.



Hanging Lake is a lake high up in the mountain and you have to take a 1.2 mile hike in somewhat difficult terrain to reach it. The vertical rise is quite significant and having good shoes and plenty of water is highly recommended. The views at the end are totally worth it.

Exit 125 just before I-25 hits the Hanging Lake tunnel. You can only get to the parking lot from the eastbound lanes so if you're traveling west you have to take the next exit and then turn back.

The "amphitheatre" of Glenwood Canyon with I-70 in the distance

That was probably the longest kilometre I've ever walked and that's just barely half way there!

The last steep push with steps carved into the rock

The lake is pretty gorgeous with crystal clear water and blue, green and aquamarine hues

You can also take a small extra hike to see the Spouting Rock waterfall. It's literally a tiny crack in the rock from which the water gushes out

The Bed Head bird

The view back down the canyon is nothing to sneeze at either

Getting back down from the lake is easier than going up but still no joke since you have to be very careful where you step. Spraining an ankle up here wouldn't be much fun. After reaching the parking lot, I drove back to Glenwood Springs and took a ride up to the Glenwood Caverns where I went on a guided tour of the Fairy Caves.

Tree roots

Mmmmm... bacon

Glenwood Springs

I had originally planned on visiting the caves before going to the Hanging Lake but starting off well before the caverns were even opened provided a good excuse to ride through the Glenwood Canyon multiple times.

Yes Name?

The westbound lanes are elevated high up to minimize the footprint done to the canyon. The Amtrak's Zephyr railroad track is on the other side of the Colorado River right of the picture