Hanging Lake

Hanging Lake is a moderate out-and-back hike in Colorado's White River National Forest, within the Eagle Ranger District. The trail is about 2.1 miles long, with a one-way elevation gain of 1,062 feet, taking you from a low point of about 6,112 feet to a high of about 7,177 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trailhead is named Hanging Lake Trailhead. The most comfortable stretch for a visit runs from late spring through early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Shoshone, which sits about 1,200 feet lower, show May highs around 71°F and September highs near 79°F, with July peaking around 89°F. That station's figures are only a guide, since temperatures on the trail run cooler. The trail is open from about May 21 to November 22. Bikes and horses are not allowed, and the surface is natural. The Glenwood Canyon Trail starts about 0.4 miles away, and the Defiance hike is about 0.9 miles off. Climbers can find The Airy Block and Roadside Fin about 1.6 miles away.