GARFIELD COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — Work to create a primitive trail to one of Colorado’s most coveted hiking gems is underway, but the question many Coloradans have is when they will get a chance to see the emerald waters of Hanging Lake again.
Officials with Glenwood Springs and the U.S. Forest Service announced hiking along the newly-constructed primitive trail will begin on June 25. Hikers will need to make reservations through Glenwood Springs.
FOX31 got a sneak peek at the trail Wednesday. When you first step onto the Hanging Lake trail, there are few signs that so much damage was done here.
The damage was done by fast-moving mud and debris slides after heavy rainfall. The problem was exacerbated by a wildfire that burned trees and brush, which usually slows water down.
One bridge was wiped out.
“The bridge that was here was 300 yards down the river. It was twisted,” Summit to Sea Trails crew member Tom Coger said.
Now, major work is being done to clear out debris and repair trails and bridges. When the trail opens in June, hikers will still be able to see some of the damage.
“They’ll see some of the debris flow [along with] big piles of dirt and rock that have moved from all the rain we had after the Grizzly Creek Fire,” said Leanne Veldhuis, district ranger with Eagle Holy Cross White River National Forest.
Until now, you had to trudge across the river to get to the other side.
“One of the biggest challenges was getting the lumber up. Each of these boards weighs up to 120 pounds,” Summit to Sea Crew Member Forrest Gale added. “So, it takes two people to get it up and you have to do it in stages. It’s great to get this back open to the public.”
Five major areas were buried by rubble and are still being cleared. Just enough work is being done to open the trail sooner than expected.
“It was so important to us to restore public access to Hanging Lake as soon as possible, not only because this is a place that connects people to our public lands, it’s also an important economic generator for Glenwood Springs,” said the National Forest Foundation Stewardship Coordinator.
The cost for repair work is costing about $150,000, and Great Outdoors Colorado is contributing $2.28 million to make improvements and permanent repairs to the trail over the next three years.
Reservations will open up on May 23 at 10 a.m. and the total time people will be allowed at the park will be roughly three- to three-and-half hours. Roughly 615 people will be allowed to visit the park daily, which is a decrease from the past when as many as 1,800 would visit the park at peak times.
Tickets will cost $12 per person.