Bridal Veil Falls and Spouting Rock

Hanging Lake Park / Glenwood Springs, Colorado, USA

About Bridal Veil Falls and Spouting Rock

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Few waterfalls could take your breath away, but the Bridal Veil Falls at Hanging Lake pretty much did just that – both literally and figuratively.

This waterfall was actually modestly-sized (possibly 40ft tall) as it was wider than it was tall when we saw it in mid-April 2017.

Hanging_Lake_207_04182017 - Bridal Veil Falls and Hanging Lake
Bridal Veil Falls and Hanging Lake

However, as you can see from the picture you see above that size wasn’t the only thing this waterfall had going for it.

Indeed, that photo only hinted at the breathtaking scene with its colorful yet clear lake fronting a wide travertine waterfall.

The landscape was also flanked by tall cliffs with more cascades further downstream as well as a great view of the canyon carved out by Dead Horse Creek.

It was the kind of scene that reminded Julie and I of places like the Plitvice Lakes in Croatia, or Jiuzhaigou in China, or even the Havasu Falls.

Hanging_Lake_292_04182017 - Spouting Rock
Spouting Rock

In all of those examples, the clear water amongst travertine dams and waterfalls created a feast for the eyes and made us not want to leave.

As if that wasn’t enough, there was a very impressive waterfall further upstream called Spouting Rock, where quite literally, the falls gushed out of a cliff in dramatic fashion.

That secondary waterfall even let us go behind it, while it also featured a pool of its own with an idyllic setting.

Heck, that even compelled our daughter to pick out a little nook in a rock and treat it like her couch looking out towards the pool.

Hanging_Lake_306_04182017 - Tahia found this little nook in the rock fronting Spouting Rock, which she claimed as her own little 'couch' so-to-speak
Tahia found this little nook in the rock fronting Spouting Rock, which she claimed as her own little ‘couch’ so-to-speak

The high scenic rating we’re giving this combination of Bridal Veil Falls and Spouting Rock was reflective of the consensus amongst Julie, Tahia, and I that it was the waterfalling highlight of our Spring Break Desert Southwest trip.

About the Hike to Hanging Lake, Bridal Veil Falls, and Spouting Rock

In addition to taking our collective breaths away in terms of sheer beauty, it also did so physically.

That was because as the name of the place suggested, the lake was “hanging”.

So that meant, we had to go on a hike that was relentlessly climbing to even get up to the famed Hanging Lake.

Hanging_Lake_173_04182017 - The hike up to Hanging Lake and Bridal Veil Falls involved a steep and relentless climb up the canyon carved out by Dead Horse Creek
The hike up to Hanging Lake and Bridal Veil Falls involved a steep and relentless climb up the canyon carved out by Dead Horse Creek

Since the lake itself was said to be at an elevation of over 7,000ft, it also meant that the air was thin and our lungs were beating harder in an effort to get as much oxygen as possible in the thin Rocky Mountain air.

Even though the hike had a modest round-trip distance of 4 miles to take in both Spouting Rock and Bridal Veil Falls, it still took us as a family about 3.5 hours away from the car to complete and ejoy the entire excursion.

By the way, it was about 3.2 miles round trip just to get up to Hanging Lake and Bridal Veil Falls alone.

Therefore, given the demands of the Hanging Lake Trail, I’d say that in order to have a good time with the Bridal Veil Falls and Spouting Rock, an early start would do you some good.

Hanging_Lake_162_04182017 - Looking up at other hikers making the climb up to the Bridal Veil Falls and Hanging Lake
Looking up at other hikers making the climb up to the Bridal Veil Falls and Hanging Lake

It would help out both in terms of finding parking as well as ensuring that there’d be more available shade to take rest breaks along the way.

It would also tax your body less as a good chunk of the trail was exposed to sun.

Hanging Lake Trail Description – from the trailhead to Dead Horse Creek

The hike began from the Hanging Lake Rest Area, which was an exit right off the I-70 (see directions below).

From the parking lot and restroom area next to a man-made lake on the Colorado River, a paved and flat trail followed along its north shore for about a half-mile.

Hanging_Lake_009_04182017 - The restroom facility towered over by beautiful cliffs at the Hanging Lake Rest Area and Trailhead
The restroom facility towered over by beautiful cliffs at the Hanging Lake Rest Area and Trailhead

This part of the trail was already scenic in that the lake was flanked by tall cliffs and the lake created opportunities for those reflection shots.

Another thing we noticed about this part of the hike was that most of this section of the park was devoid of the I-70 highway noise (at least until we got closer to the half-mile point).

It was a testament to the community activism that was involved to force the development of the interstate to preserve the character of Hanging Lake Park even if it meant higher development costs.

That said, environmental costs are typically externalized so perhaps the “increased” cost was more indicative of the true cost of having the highway in the first place.

Hanging_Lake_019_04182017 - Hiking along the tame walkway following the northern shore of the man-made lake on the Colorado River for the first half-mile en route to Hanging Lake
Hiking along the tame walkway following the northern shore of the man-made lake on the Colorado River for the first half-mile en route to Hanging Lake

Once we were at the half-mile point, there was a bridge over Dead Horse Creek, a small cascade on the creek itself, as well as a smaller restroom facility.

On the near side of the bridge, the Hanging Lake Trail began to climb in earnest as it left the concrete path and became more of a conventional dirt and rock trail.

It climbed almost immediately past a large scree and boulder field and ultimately followed along Dead Horse Creek.

The trail was quite obvious and easy to follow as this very popular trail had gotten a lot of use over the years.

Hanging_Lake_035_04182017 - Looking back over the man-made lake on the Colorado River nearby the trail junction at the bridge over Dead Horse Creek
Looking back over the man-made lake on the Colorado River nearby the trail junction at the bridge over Dead Horse Creek

On the far side of the bridge, the concrete path continued along the north shore of the man-made lake towards the highway noise from the I-70.

Naturally, we proceeded to climb up the Hanging Lake Trail, and it didn’t take long before we understood why the park signage rated this trail as “strenuous.”

Hanging Lake Trail Description – hiking up along Dead Horse Creek to Bridal Veil Falls

The Hanging Lake Trail ascended up several inclines and zig-zagged switchbacks, which caused us to take frequent water breaks.

The entire time, the ascending trail was flanked by vertical cliffs while also ascending alongside minor cascades on Dead Horse Creek.

Hanging_Lake_070_04182017 - Tahia and Julie ascending a bit of a scree and boulder field at the start of the Hanging Lake Trail alongside Dead Horse Creek
Tahia and Julie ascending a bit of a scree and boulder field at the start of the Hanging Lake Trail alongside Dead Horse Creek

So the scenic distractions somewhat helped to take our minds momentarily off the physical exertion.

In addition, we noticed that bridges were sequentially numbered, and we saw quarter-mile posts acting as “milestones” (or progress indicators) to further distract us from the physical challenge.

Nevertheless, the relentless climb meant that we made very slow progress.

Heck, we wound up climbing so high that we even got to spots where snow was still covering parts of the trail!

Hanging_Lake_094_04182017 - Julie and Tahia hiking past an intermediate waterfall on Dead Horse Creek along the Hanging Lake Trail as it continued its relentless ascent
Julie and Tahia hiking past an intermediate waterfall on Dead Horse Creek along the Hanging Lake Trail as it continued its relentless ascent

Eventually after what seemed like forever, the trail made a turn away from the canyon carved out by the West Fork Dead Horse Creek.

Then, it started hugging the tall cliffs segregating the West Fork and East Fork of Dead Horse Creek.

This cliff-hugging section was narrow but contained railings to help assure and protect us from the dropoffs.

It also involved a steep and pretty dramatic climb up steep rock steps.

Hanging_Lake_177_04182017 - Julie and Tahia ascending some pretty steep steps with handrails on the final climb up to Hanging Lake
Julie and Tahia ascending some pretty steep steps with handrails on the final climb up to Hanging Lake

The higher we went, the more dramatic the views became when we looked back down the main canyon.

Eventually, after cresting this dramatic ascent, we encountered a trail junction where the trail on the left continued to ascend towards Spouting Rock while there was a boardwalk on the right leading to Hanging Lake and the Bridal Veil Falls.

Naturally, we did the latter first, and after all the work it took to get up here, we were quite relieved to finally see Bridal Veil Falls and Hanging Lake.

Indeed, it was well worth it!

Hanging_Lake_234_04182017 - Context of Bridal Veil Falls and Hanging Lake
Context of Bridal Veil Falls and Hanging Lake

At the Hanging Lake, in addition to the scenery, we also noticed fish in the lake.

There were benches alongside most of the boardwalk for sitting and viewing, and there was also a viewing platform right in the middle of the semi-circular boardwalk.

Despite how much work it took to get up here, this area was still very busy.

We never recalled a moment where there was no one here though admittedly, we showed up right at midday and easily spent an hour here.

Hanging Lake Trail Description – continuing to Spouting Rock

Hanging_Lake_269_04182017 - Julie approaching the Spouting Rock Waterfall
Julie approaching the Spouting Rock Waterfall

Back at the trail junction, we then continued upwards to the Spouting Rock.

As we did this, the trail continued its ascent (albeit less steep), and followed the base of more tall cliffs before heading right to the dramatic spring.

The trail allowed us to go right behind the Spouting Rock Waterfall.

Moreover, like Hanging Lake, this spot was also very popular so it would be difficult to take people-free photos.

Hanging_Lake_278_04182017 - Looking out from behind the Spouting Rock Waterfall
Looking out from behind the Spouting Rock Waterfall

Spouting Rock also featured a plunge pool of its own though it was shallower and featured less travertine than Bridal Veil Falls and Hanging Lake.

That said, we thought the waterfall here was pretty impressive as I’m guessing it had a height of around 60ft.

When we had our fill of this both waterfalls, we then descended back down the way we came.

Since the trail was mostly downhill, it only took us 70 minutes to return to the parking lot (as opposed to over 2 hours that it took us to get up to Hanging Lake).

Authorities

Bridal Veil Falls and Spouting Rock reside in the White River National Forest near the town of Glenwood Springs in Garfield County, Colorado. It is administered by the USDA Forest Service. For information or inquiries about the area as well as current conditions and permits, visit the USDA Forest Service website or Glenwood Springs website.

Maps and Routing Content are for annual subscribers. See Membership Options.
Content is for subscribers. See Membership Options.
Tagged with: glenwood springs, glenwood canyon, hanging lake, garfield county, colorado, waterfalls, colorful lake



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Johnny Cheng is the founder of the World of Waterfalls and author of the award-winning A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls. Over the last 2 decades, he has visited thousands of waterfalls in over 40 countries around the world and nearly 40 states in the USA.
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