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Showing posts with label glenwood springs hiking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label glenwood springs hiking. Show all posts

Sunday, January 4, 2015

The Journey of 7 bridges... Hiking Hanging Lake in the Winter


This is where my wife and I were married and we revisit it every year. I've done two other posts on this exact hike so if there is something here missing you might find it in this post or perhaps this one. It's a moderate to difficult hike in the winter time but it's definitely worth it. You'll definitely need some yak tracks and hiking poles but the poles are optional. We saw some wearing snow shoes but it didn't look necessary and appeared to be way too much work. Of course bring a drink and a snack for when you get to the top. There are seven bridges that you must cross before you get to the final stretch which is also the most difficult part of the hike. If you're overweight or scared of heights then this might be too much for you. This part can be treacherous. Make sure to hold on to the railing and have proper footing (see photos below). Once you get to the top you can walk around the lake and under the falls and depending on the temperature you'll see if the water is actually flowing or frozen. After you have explored the lake, you can hike up a little further and see spouting rock. Like I said, if it's been a cold winter you might not see any water flowing and it'll be frozen shut. Nonetheless you should see breathtaking icicles and you should get more than one good photo. Here are each of the seven bridges and what you can expect of them around the winter time. It took us about 2 hours and 20 minutes for the trailhead then up to the top and down with ample time to explore and mess around. In that time we went 3.7 miles. If you're planning on being up there awhile bundle up. With that said, practically anyone can do this hike with a little inspiration. Good luck! Be safe & enjoy the photos! 


 

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Hanging Lake, Glenwood Springs, CO- (12-31-2012)


Location:Hanging Lake, Glenwood Springs, CO

Date: 12/31/12

How far we went: 1 mile up + 1 mile down = 2 total

How long it took us: About 3 hours

Elevation reached: 7,040 ft
Weather: VERY COLD (Never was about 6 degrees F)

I'm making this post after my other Hanging Lake post, but we actually did this one a year before and I'm just now getting around to posting it. This was a very cold trip but it's totally worth it. Take in the pictures and enjoy. 2 miles if you go from bottom to top, and then back down. I wouldn't make this a first-time winter hike. It's not too challenging but the last scramble to the top is too much to handle for some, especially with all the ice and snow. Make sure you have appropriate footwear such as yaktrax.


I posted this already but I will do so again.... There is a large parking lot with ample spaces but you should make a note that YOU CANNOT ACCESS HANGING LAKE FROM I-70 EASTBOUND. YOU MUST TURN AROUND AT EXIT 121. Don't get pissed off and confused, turning around adds 5-10 minutes in the trip, maybe more in awful weather but I promise it is well worth the wait.  


Also, here is a video of Hanging Lake. Only this is from a year later, not on the day these pictures were taken. 

Quick stop at Vail Pass