GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. – One of Colorado’s most-visited natural landmarks will be closed for the weekend.
Hanging Lake near Glenwood Springs will close this Saturday so volunteers can improve the 1.2 miles of trail leading to the turquoise lake situated off Interstate 70 in Glenwood Canyon.
Volunteers from various non-profits will restore heavily impacted areas and structures, including constructing rock steps, repairing bridges and benches, removal of graffiti and installing a barrier chain at the historic shelter.
The trail shuts down annually after the peak season for maintenance and improvements. However, with the elevated level of use the area has seen in recent years -- including an increase in vandalism and trash-- the project has become increasingly critical to the overall management of Hanging Lake.
To deal with the influx of visitors, the Forest Service has called for a fee-based reservation system that would limit the number of daily users to 615 year-round. The plan is still being discussed.
The trail will reopen to visitors Monday morning.