Hanging Lake Trail will remain closed through the winter with improvements started in summer 2024 slated to wrap up in time for a summer 2025 reopening, a U.S. Forest Service news release states. Officials anticipate work to resume in the spring as weather permits.

Crews began rebuilding the 1.2-mile trail in May to make it more sustainable and better equipped to handle high water. This season, significant progress was made, including extensive stonework and the installation of replacements for the trail’s seven bridges. Plans for 2025 include finishing the bridges, completing trail work, constructing a boardwalk at Spouting Rock, and rebuilding the trailhead area.

Crews completed extensive rock work this season, including installing stone steps and retaining walls. Once finished, the trail is expected to provide a safer and more resilient experience for visitors.

“The trail looks amazing with significant stonework completed, including rock steps and retaining walls,” Eagle-Holy Cross District Ranger Leanne Veldhuis said in the release. “With the new bridges still needing to be stabilized and the final climb to the lake still under construction, we will keep the trail closed through the winter for public safety.”

In early November, materials for the bridges were flown by helicopter to each site. Each bridge required two flights, with a single load weighing up to 2 tons. Work on the bridges began in October, prompting the trail’s closure after being open intermittently during summer construction.

The trail suffered heavy damage in July 2021 when debris flows hit Glenwood Canyon. A temporary primitive trail was completed in June 2022 while plans for the full reconstruction were developed.

Funding for the project comes from several sources, including Great Outdoors Colorado, Colorado Parks and Wildlife State Trails Program, the National Forest Foundation, the City of Glenwood Springs, and the Forest Service.

“This important work to repair and improve this iconic trail would not be possible without the significant support of our partners,” Veldhuis said. “We appreciate the public’s patience as we work to construct a trail to last for decades.”