Hanging Lake (7,290′), Glenwood Canyon
Hanging Lake, in Glenwood Canyon, is a beautiful travertine lake formed high up in Deadhorse Canyon. The lake was formed when an acre and a half of the valley floor sheared off from a fault and dropped to what is now the shallow bed of the lake. This travertine lake is extremely sensitive, so please respect the special regulations to preserve the lake.
The beautiful turquoise colors of the lake are produced by carbonate minerals that have dissolved in the water. The fragile shoreline of the lake is composed of travertine, created when dissolved limestone is deposited on rocks, logs, and shoreline. Hanging Lake was designated a National Natural Landmark in 2011.
Trail Stats
- Trailhead: Hanging Lake
- Round trip: 2.2 miles / 3.5 km
- Elevation: 6,120′ – 7,290′ / 1,865 m – 2,222 m
- County: Garfield
- Agency: U.S. Forest Service
- Nat’l Forest: White River
- Designated: National Natural Landmark
Trail Pictures
View of train tracks along the Colorado River
View of train tracks along the Colorado River
Waterfalls along the trail
Waterfalls along the trail
One of the 7 bridges crossing Dead Horse Creek
One of the 7 bridges crossing Dead Horse Creek
Hanging Lake trail
Hanging Lake trail
Sprouting Rock, the source of the water in Hanging Lake
Sprouting Rock, the source of the water in Hanging Lake
Rock sheared off from a fault to what is now the bed of the lake
Rock sheared off from a fault to what is now the bed of the lake
Bridal Falls flowing into Hanging Lake
Bridal Falls flowing into Hanging Lake
Small trout were swimming near shore
Small trout were swimming near shore
Glenwood Canyon
Glenwood Canyon
Trail near Hanging Lake
Trail near Hanging Lake
Waterfalls draining into Dead Horse Creek
Waterfalls draining into Dead Horse Creek
Immense waterfalls in the dense forests below Hanging Lake
Immense waterfalls in the dense forests below Hanging Lake
Dead Horse Creek
Dead Horse Creek
Lush ferns growing in the shade
Lush ferns growing in the shade
Dead Horse creek overflowing onto the trail
Dead Horse creek overflowing onto the trail
The trail turned into a mini waterfall
The trail turned into a mini waterfall
A wet trail through dense forest
A wet trail through dense forest
The trail follows Dead Horse Creek
The trail follows Dead Horse Creek
The rock in the center looks like an elephant
The rock in the center looks like an elephant
The trail is steep as it climbs up the canyon
The trail is steep as it climbs up the canyon
Hanging Lake trailhead
Hanging Lake trailhead
Hanging Lake trailhead to the left
Hanging Lake trailhead to the left
The hike starts by following the Glenwood Canyon Recreation Path for a couple hundred yards along the Colorado River
The hike starts by following the Glenwood Canyon Recreation Path for a couple hundred yards along the Colorado River
A 20 minute shuttle ride to Hanging Lake from the Rec. Center
A 20 minute shuttle ride to Hanging Lake from the Rec. Center
Hanging Lake
Hanging Lake
GPS Route with Elevation
Video Tour
Trail Directions
The trail is a steep and rocky scenic trail that climbs from the bottom of Glenwood Canyon, up through Deadhorse Creek Canyon, to the Lake.
The Spouting Rock trail at Hanging Lake will take you to a towering limestone wall and the source of Hanging Lake.
Trailhead Directions