Due to high runoff levels in the Colorado River at Shoshone, the Glenwood Canyon bike path has been temporarily closed through that stretch for safety reasons, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.

The U.S. Forest Service also said Wednesday that people have been attempting to remove the barricades closing the Hanging Lake trailhead parking lot this week. The Hanging Lake trail remains closed through Friday for maintenance.

“The Forest Service received reports from the Colorado State Patrol that members of the public were moving the barricades at the top of the off ramp, driving into the parking area and trying to access the trail,” CDOT said in its release.

“The Forest Service is posting a representative at the bottom of the trailhead and all members of the public who try and access the trail during the temporary closure will be turned away.”

In addition, it is illegal to park along Interstate 70, and doing so may be subject to a fine, according to the release.

CDOT crews will continue to monitor the bike path daily and determine when it is safe to reopen.

Cyclists and pedestrians can still access the path from Glenwood Springs to Shoshone and on the other end of Glenwood Canyon from the Siloam Springs trailhead to the Hanging Lake rest area. Other sections of the path could be closed if water levels warrant, CDOT officials said.

Motorists should be aware that the eastbound exit and westbound return to I-70 from Hanging Lake remain closed through Friday while trail maintenance work is completed. The area will reopen on June 10.

“The Forest Service is asking people to please respect this temporary closure, please do not move the barrels or try to access the trail during this timeframe as it is a safety issue,” according to the release.

For information about other hiking options in the area in the meantime, visit visitglenwood.com/things-to-do/trail-guide, or call the Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger district, 970-827-5715, or the White River National Forest Supervisor’s Office, 970-945-2521.

To check the status of the Glenwood Canyon bike path, visit cotrip.org and click on the Statewide Alert tab on the right hand side of the home page. Updates are also available via Twitter @coloradodot.