travels with grandsons, glenwood

8/9/2019 Travels With Grandsons, Glenwood

1/17

Travels with Grandsons

Glenwood Springs & Hanging Lake

Paul Richardson 2010


2/17

In the summer of 2007 we took my grandsons, Blake and Logan on a short

vacation that included visits to Rocky Mountain National Park (including Grand

Lake), Glenwood Springs with its famous hot springs pools and the not as famous

but very popular trail out of Glenwood Canyon (Colorado River) up to the hanging

lake. The waterfalls at hanging lake are pictured on the cover. We also visitedArches National Park in Utah near Moab. It was 104 degrees the day we were

there.

This chapter covers the Glenwood Springs area part of the trip. Before tackling the

hanging lake trail we spent much of the first day at the hot springs pool complex in

downtown Glenwood Springs. It is over two city blocks long and billed as the

largest outdoor mineral hot springs pool anywhere. Not having been everywhere I

cant verify that but it is plenty big to be sure. The big pool is bathtub

temperature and the therapy pool is about 105 degrees. The big pool has a diving

board area at the deep end, lap lanes next to the diving area and then a huge play

area. Beyond the diving area are two flume rides which the kids loved.

From the Preserve America website.

The resort facilities built in the 1880s became internationally renowned. The

elegant 1893 Hotel Colorado, a copy of the Medici Palace in Italy, even served as

the Western White House for President Theodore Roosevelt and his cabinet in

1905.

Glenwood Springs was one of the first hydroelectrically lighted cities in the world

(1886), having electricity even before New York City. Railroad service [and its

status as a major stop for the California Zephyr passenger service contributed to its

early growth.]

Some colorful Western characters have lived in Glenwood Springs, including

Doc Holliday, famous for the shootout at the O.K. Corral. Bank robber Kid

Curry, a member of Butch Cassidys Hole-in-the-Wall gang, is also buried in

town.


3/17

Grandma, Logan and Blake with pool in background.


4/17

Blake (blond) & Logan (brown), enjoying the play area of the pool.


5/17

Starting the walk up to the top of the big flume.

Ready to go again.


6/17

Smaller flume


7/17

Logan trying out the spring board


8/17

Walking from the parking lot to the Hanging Lake trail, Glenwood Canyon.


9/17

The trail is steep and follows a fast flowing stream.


10/17

Nearing the top of the trail.


11/17


12/17

First view of the lake caused when a slab of rock slid down the face of the canyon

causing a step in the side of the cliff. The bottom of the lake is travertine giving it

the green color.


13/17


14/17

The mist behind the falls is a great cooler after the hot hike up the hill.


15/17


16/17

Nice view of the cascades on the way back down the trail


17/17

Glenwood Springs and Glenwood Canyon are great areas to visit. The pool is

great no matter your age. The trail is steep but relatively short at a little over a

mile each way. The trail has been closed this year because the forest service is

upgrading it. I recommend a visit. Early in the summer is best because the water

flow from the snow melt is stronger.

Enjoy.

travels with grandsons, glenwood

Documents