Hanging Lake Hike (CO) with Kids?
 

Hi there!

My family of four is going to be in Colorado in May and my hubbie and I would absolutely love to do the Hanging Lake hike, near Glenwood Springs in Colorado. We will have our two young boys with us, ages 5 and 7. Both are energetic and fit, and love hiking, but we just don't know whether this is an appropriate hike with kids? We've read some "hiking" sites and some people suggest that it's a challenging hike, while others seem to suggest that it's easy to moderate. Any opinions, or hearing from anyone that may have done the hike with their kids, would be great. Plus, how long did it take?

Thanks so much!
Jenn

We've done the hike several times when my kids were young. The youngest was two so that was a combination of a little hiking and then a shoulder ride, so at 5 and 7 your kids should be fine. I can't remember how long it took, but although it is only a mile it is steep so it will probably take a little longer than the usual mile. I don't like heights so the only part that bothers me is toward the top where there is a hand rail on a cliff edge, but I doubt it will impact your family. Just keep your kids close. Parking is the biggest issue, especially on a weekend. Enjoy - it is a great hike!

A bigger issue may be May. We often refer to May as mud season because it is the transition from winter to summer. Depending on the snow fall in that area the previous winter you could encounter a lot of run off and therefore, mud and sloppy, slick area. And it is steep.

I think it will be fine if they love hiking. It is an intense one-mile climb, but so beautiful. Just make sure to time it so that you still have plenty of daylight coming down. I would allow two to three hours for the round trip. You are going to want some free time at the top. Once up there, you can climb a little further to another waterfall feature.

Fantastic! You've really answered my questions and I so appreciate it. We're going to give it a try! I promise to report back with a trip report : )

Its a good idea of hiking with kids. Hope they also enjoy the trip. After all, you got a chance to spend some time with kids. Good luck for this trip!

We hiked it when our youngest was probably 8 or 9. I don't remember any problems EXCEPT if memory serves there is an odd staircase near the top that was strangely difficult. Don't remember why I remember that, and it does sound counter-intuitive. Maybe someone else can chime in on that.

Oh, and the payoff is well worth the work!

I always LOVE seeing kids on the hiking trail! My husband and I did this trail a few years ago, and we are very fit hikers. It is steep and there lots of rocky steps that are a little more challenging for those of us with shorter legs. :) This site has a good view looking down at the "odd staircase" that Bitter mentions above. I would say as long as you are very close to the kids, they should be okay.

http://www.rockymountainhikingtrails...nging-lake.htm

Make sure once you get to the lake you follow the trail all the way around to the side of the falls.

Thanks to all of you for your encouragement! It just looks so beautiful - I can't wait to give it a try. We did a very steep hike (with handrails) last year in Lake Placid with the kids and so I'm curious as to how this compares. They did great on that one (although I'm sure it gave me some grey hairs trying to hang on to them!). I'll be sure to let you all know : )