Hanging Lake

Colorado Travelog #36
Glenwood Springs, CO - Friday, 8 Jul 2022, 10:30am

After ascending 1,000' in the space of just over a mile (see previous blog) we made it to Hanging Lake.



The lake gets its name because it is "hanging" high up in a narrow canyon created by a fault between two parts of the mountain. The lake is kind of in a pocket near the top the canyon, hemmed in by fallen rock and travertine deposits.



Hanging Lake is a rare kind of place and one that is increasingly protected. Since we last visited 4 years ago they've instituted trail quotas and a reservation system. There are boardwalks around the lake (which were there 4 years ago, too) and swimming in the pools is prohibited. I'm totally fine with "look but don't touch" so we can preserve this delicate beauty for future generations' enjoyment.

Keep reading: It's only a short bit further uphill to Spouting Rock, and so worth it.

Spouting Rock

Colorado Travelog #37
Glenwood Springs, CO - Friday, 8 Jul 2022, 11am

When you visit magnificent Hanging Lake (previous blog) in the White Mountains above Glenwood Canyon it's only a short, if steep, additional trek to Spouting Rock. Judging by the number of people at the lake vs. up at these falls, fewer than half think to complete the trail up the mountain before turning around to head back down.

Watch on YouTube

There are a few neat things about the waterfalls at Spouting Rock. One, you can walk behind the falls. The limestone cliff face is hollowed out, and there's plenty of room to pass behind the falls without even getting wet.



Two, at least right now, there are two waterfalls here. The taller falls pours over a rock lip from a stream that drains the high plateau above Glenwood Canyon. The higher falls does not always flow. During our previous visit, 4 years ago, it was dry. Three, the lower falls pours from a chute in the rock. It comes from an unknown underground source.

Update: the adventure concludes with Hiking Back from Hanging Lake.