GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. — One of Colorado’s most iconic spots is getting a facelift.
The trail leading up to Hanging Lake near Glenwood Springs is about to undergo a $4.5 million reconstruction project after it was damaged in the 2020 Grizzly Creek Fire. Crews are working to repair and upgrade the trail to make it more sustainable and resilient.
Hiking up to Hanging Lake is not an easy task.
“It’s a mile straight up,” said Roger Poirier with White River National Forest. “It makes an impact. It makes an impact on your lungs. It makes an impact on your legs. But it makes an impact on your soul and your heart.”
The canyon has gone through a lot these past few years. First the wildfire, then flooding, followed by mudslides.
“It’s a pretty narrow canyon at times,” Poirier said. “It also presents challenges of how we want to rebuild that trial.”
Getting back in shape requires work of a different kind.
“We’re building a really complex trail through a burned landscape and we’re trying to make it last for 100 years,” said Marcus Selig, Chief Conservation Officer with the National Forest Foundation. “That is not an easy task.”
Selig helped kick off the $4.5 million trail reconstruction project on Thursday.
“Access to Hanging Lake is going to be a little different this summer,” Selig said.
The trail is currently open to those who have permits and will remain open through most of the reconstruction process. But Selig said portions of the project will require them to shut down the trail for short periods of time.
He’s urging people to check for updates before heading there to hike.
“We want everybody to be able to connect with nature and see that lake,” Poirier said. “What I love about this trail is that it’s not easy, and it makes the reward of seeing that lake that much greater because you’ve earned that view.”
SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Latest from 9NEWS