Hanging Lake Colorado

My son and I took on the trail up to Hanging Lake in mid-August. The path starts in Glenwood Canyon and immediately gets down to business, pushing uphill over stone steps carved straight into the rock wall. Carrying a heavy camera pack made every foot of the climb noticeable, making a strong case for keeping your kit as light as possible.

Getting to the park entrance early paid off. We had a 7:00 AM slot, but the ranger opened the gates well before that, putting us first in line and onto the trail in the cool morning air. We pushed a steady pace, using the wooden bridges along the creek as natural distance markers. The final push brings you to the steep handrail section along the cliff, where built-in overlook platforms give you a chance to pause and catch your breath while looking back down the canyon.

Reaching the boardwalk at the top wipes away the effort instantly. The view opens up to sheer rock walls, cascading waterfalls, and crystal-clear turquoise water framed by vibrant green moss and late-summer wildflowers from recent rains. As morning light started filtering over the canyon rim, the whole scene came alive, turning a grueling hike into pure creative momentum.