Driving Buddy/Sister: Natalie

WIldlife: Deer, Beavers, Fish, Birds, and Marmots

Ice Caves: 1/2 Mile Round Trip

Hanging Lake: 2.4 Miles Round Trip

We started our day at the crack of dawn.  Lunches packed, coffee made- we were ready. to. go.  We decided to leave early to get to Hanging Lake before the crowd.  There are a limited amount of parking spots and because of its remote location, that is the only way to access the trailhead.

We only got as far as the entrance to the long winding canyon when we saw a sign “hanging lake parking lot full”.  “Eh maybe they just put that up to deter everyone.  Let’s head there anyways”  We were wrong-so very wrong.  There were cars circling the parking lot like vultures waiting for spots to open up.  The poor park rangers had the unpleasant job of rerouting incoming cars and delivering the bad news- they weren’t letting anyone in for a while.  Aaaaalright.. change of plans.. no biggie.

Aspen it is!  Aspen was about another hour from Hanging Lake.  It was our second stop in the original plan.  Who really follows their original plan anyways?  Onward.  I had been through Aspen briefly headed to another hike about ten miles out of town.  This time we went straight for downtown.  We realized Food & Wine Magazine had their Food & Wine Classic this weekend.  If only we had known sooner!  We went
into some artisan shops, walked around the outside of the festival, and into some galleries.  Although its fancier reputation holds true, you can totally find some awesome places to explore.  The town itself is beautiful and the hiking in this area is unbeatable.

After town we road up towards Independence Pass (stopping before the top) to check out The Grottos (aka the Ice Caves).  The Grottos are a really short hike (maybe a 1/4 mile) to the rocks.  The hike reminded me of being in New England.  Mossy rocks, woods, a river nearby.  From the trailhead you go straight across a bridge crossing the Roaring Fork river (true to its name) then follow the trail to the left at the fork in the path (it’s clearly labeled).  What’s not clear is the signage once you arrive at the ice caves.  The caves aren’t labeled, so you have no idea where to start.

The Grottos were formed when the Roaring Fork River expanded due to melting glaciers.  The icy water spilled over carrying everything with it to form the icy caverns.

Now, at the “entrance” to the caves, we stood puzzled.  Looking over the crack in the rock, seeing just a small river.  “Erm.. is that it?”  There were no further instructions.. and all that was there was a dog tied to a tree and some backpacks..

I assumed those people were dead and started renaming their dog for my own.

After a few walks around the crevasse I peered over to a rock wedged 127 Hours style into the base.  That must be something.. I started climbing down and before I knew it two heads popped around the corner.  We were on the right track.  After an awkward skirt around a rock to let them pass I was at the bottom waiting for Natalie.  Skipping from rock to rock we made it up and over until we hit ice.  Then it got a little less graceful.. resembling baby giraffes learning how to walk we slowly made our way over the ice and rocks to a large flow of ice I assumed was a frozen waterfall.  The cave opens up into a large room.  Water reflects off the walls and the ceiling.  A pool of water stretches across the cave and around the bend into a small opening and disappears.  From years of erosion, the cave walls were ground smooth and ice created wavy cut outs. We jumped from rock to ice to rock exploring.  Running our hands along the smooth walls, trying to climb them and failing.  We had the whole place to ourselves.  It was a very calming, quiet atmosphere.

Buuut, that couldn’t last forever.  A few hikers popped their heads above us through the cracks yelling for directions down.  We knew we wouldn’t have this sanctuary to ourselves for much longer.  One last look and we turned to crawl our way back out.

Once we were back on the surface it was like the caves were never there.  A quick walk back to the car and we were back on the road, headed back through Aspen and towards Hanging Lake.

We’re hoping the parking situation had calmed down since the morning.  Now, around 4pm the parking lot was still full, but people were leaving.  Whoohoo!  A few circles around and we snagged a spot.

The layout- a small loop for parking, bathrooms at the front and a paved path to the right that runs along the river.  This path leads to the Hanging Lake Trailhead.  Even at the bottom this place is beautiful.  Surrounded by the canyon, the river cuts straight through and is raging this time of year.

Finally at the base of the trailhead we started our ascent.  The trail itself is only 1.2 miles one way, but it is all uphill.  It’s actually not that bad.  It follows a river that runs down the canyon and empties into the larger river at the base.  Although it opens up a few times, you’re mainly hiking in the shade of the woods.  These two factors offer some welcomed natural air conditioning.  If you take your time and some breaks, I’m positive anyone can make it up there.

Nat and I set out- step step step pause, step step step pause.  Most of these pauses were not to rest, but to let people get by on their way down.  This trail was SO busy.  I don’t blame them.. we were there too.. it’s worth it.

After passing a couple of waterfalls, hopping across stones, and a final ascent up very steep rock steps, we made it.

Right at the entrance the trail splits.  To get to the bottom of Hanging Lake -go right.  There’s a wooden path that leads around the small lake that includes some seating.

Hanging Lake is an amazing oasis in the middle of nowhere.  The lake is so crystal clear blue due to travertine deposits that it almost glows.  It’s a relatively small lake, more pond-like if you ask me.  There are a few waterfalls seeping off the mossy tops.  You can walk two thirds around the base to peak behind them.  There is the iconic log splitting the lake in half.  Fish can been seen pretty clearly at the bottom.  It is just SO beautiful.  It has to be fake.

We walked to the opposite side of the lake, where the shore almost touches the falls and worked our way back, pausing at some benches to rest, and to enjoy the atmosphere.  The only noises you could hear were people chattering, birds chirping, and the occasional bug buzzing by.

Just then, a butterfly flew by, fluttering around us, then landing on Natalie’s finger. SERIOUSLY!  What, did the National Parks Service hire Disney to run this place?  Then, if that wasn’t enough, it fluttered lightly onto me.  Obviously photos were taken.  The woman next to us couldn’t believe what she was seeing (I mean I struggle with how awesome we are too).  Then, like it was no big deal, it just flew away to go blow someone else’s mind.  We should’ve just quit hiking then and there -but- we were in the middle of nowhere and had to at least get back to the car..

After this run of the mill experience, we packed up and headed upstream.  There is a larger waterfall that feeds Hanging Lake directly above it.  You can walk through the cavern behind it and out to the other side.  This waterfall was a lot taller than the mossy ones below.  Walking behind it you could really feel its power.  We spent some time here exploring the cavern, taking pictures and enjoying the area.

At this point we had had a full day.  Making our way back down, we chatted about it.  Each place we went was so different.  Finally getting to the car, we tossed everything in the trunk and were on our way.  I wish everyday could be like this.