Last week, JVA joined project partners, community members, and public agency representatives in Glenwood Springs to celebrate the reopening of one of Colorado’s most iconic natural landmarks: Hanging Lake Trail. The ribbon cutting marked a major milestone in the nearly $5 million Hanging Lake Trail Reconstruction Project, a collaborative restoration effort following the severe damage caused by the Grizzly Creek Fire and subsequent debris flows.
Located in Glenwood Canyon, Hanging Lake has long been treasured for its rare beauty, turquoise water, and unique geologic setting. After the 2020 Grizzly Creek Fire, debris flows damaged major sections of the trail, destroyed bridges, and altered the Deadhorse Creek drainage, making reconstruction essential before the trail could safely welcome visitors again.
JVA provided civil and structural engineering design services as part of the project team led by DHM Design. Our work supported the development of a more resilient trail system while preserving the remarkable visitor experience that makes Hanging Lake such a beloved destination. The final design included realigned trail segments, replacement of six timber pedestrian bridges, improved stream crossings, a new boardwalk near Spouting Rock, and trailhead enhancements.
Because of the sensitive canyon environment and limited site access, the design required careful consideration of constructability, durability, and visual compatibility with the surrounding landscape. Materials had to be transported into the canyon by hand, so the bridge designs incorporated field-assembled timber components and locally sourced stacked-stone abutments that blend naturally with the trail corridor.
The reconstruction effort brought together the U.S. Forest Service, the National Forest Foundation, the City of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Great Outdoors Colorado, and many additional partners. Funding came from multiple sources, including Forest Service appropriations, a Colorado Parks and Wildlife grant, and more than 6,000 visitors who donated canceled reservation fees to support the restoration.
JVA is proud to have contributed trail and bridge engineering expertise to a project that will help protect the Hanging Lake Trail from future flood and debris flow events while allowing visitors to continue experiencing one of Colorado’s most treasured natural landmarks for generations to come.
The Hanging Lake Trail officially reopens to the public on Thursday, June 25, 2026.