Construction closures likely on famed trail this summer
Work to repair and improve the iconic Hanging Lake Trail in Glenwood Canyon will impact opportunities for hikers to enjoy it this summer, officials of the White River National Forest say.
When forest officials reopened the trail in 2022 following severe damage from mudslides the previous summer, they announced plans to make permanent long- term improvements intended to modernize the trail and make it less susceptible to future damage from flash f lood events. Construction is expected to happen this spring and continue through the summer.
Trail closures are expected, but officials say it’s too soon to offer specifics.
“We will know more soon, as we work through it with the contractor,” said David Boyd, public affairs officer for the White River National Forest. “Construction will occur throughout the summer, and there will be closures. We want to provide public access to the trail when it is safe to do so, and we are looking at the possibilities now.”
Work will include reengineering bridges to better accommodate high water and debris flows, building a boardwalk at Spouting Rock, improving the trailhead, rock work and rehabilitation.
Reservations are required for hiking the trail and are managed through Visit Glenwood. Reservation information for this summer will be posted there when it becomes available.
“This is going to be an interesting spring and summer for us,” said Lisa Langer, director of tourism for Visit Glenwood. “They are going to try to work around contractor work. It will probably be a month- to- month kind of thing.”