DESCRIPTION

Hanging Lake is one of Colorado’s most visited and fragile destinations, where steep canyon terrain, sensitive hydrology, and heavy recreation use converge. In 2020, the Grizzly Creek Fire burned more than 32,000 acres above Glenwood Canyon, leaving soils unstable and prone to erosion. Intense summer storms in July 2021 then triggered debris flows in the burn scar, sending mud, boulders, and woody debris through the Deadhorse Creek drainage, destroying bridges and burying large portions of the Hanging Lake Trail. This session shares how the White River National Forest, National Forest Foundation, and design team responded by rethinking the trail for long-term resilience rather than simple repair. The project includes trail realignments, replacement of seven bridges, creek restoration, and visitor management strategies, all within a constrained and dynamic landscape. Presenters will focus on how design decisions addressed ongoing flood and rockfall risks, balanced access with protection of a nationally significant resource, and support long-term stewardship. With reopening summer of 2026, this session offers practical lessons for managing high-use recreation sites in an era of increasing environmental disturbance.

ADDITIONAL INFO:

EXPERIENCE LEVEL:

Entry Level/Early Career, Intermediate, or Expert