Glenwood Canyon

I-70, about 1½ hours east of Grand Junction

They say that the Colorado section of Interstate 70 west of Denver was the most expensive part, in cost per mile, of the US’ entire Interstate system. Driving through Glenwood Canyon, a 12-mile stretch that follows the Colorado River from Dotsero to Glenwood Springs, it’s easy to believe. That road is not only an engineering marvel but a work of art.

Some parts of the canyon are too narrow to put four lanes of Interstate freeway in it. So there are tunnels, there are decks that go out over the river, and even spots where the westbound lanes are over the eastbound lanes!

The Colorado River has cut a 2,000-foot-deep gorge right through the heart of the Rockies here through 300+ million year old limestone that was once at the bottom of the ocean (limestone is rock that was, once upon a time, the bodies and shells of sea creatures).

Colorado River through Glenwood Canyon, looking west

Above is the view looking west from the Hanging Lake trailhead. The Union Pacific mainline tracks are hidden behind the bushes on the left; I-70 is hidden on the right. Paid subscribers received a full-size copy of this photo, suitable for printing and framing, about three weeks ago.

Colorado River and Glenwood Canyon, looking east from Hanging Lake trailhead

This is the view east (upriver) at the same spot. An I-70 highway bridge can be seen in the distance; at the right end it plunges into a tunnel that goes under the ridge on the photo’s right while the railroad tracks go around it along the river shore.

Glenwood Canyon as seen from near the Hanging Lake trailhead

Same ridge, seen from a little bit downriver. Railroad tracks are easy to see here; the I-70 is going through a long tunnel under that pointy ridge.

Glenwood Canyon from the Grizzly Creek rest area, looking upriver (east)

The Grizzly Creek rest area is worth stopping at for a picnic. It’s an easy off-and-on of I-70 no matter which direction you’re going. Here are the on- and off-ramps at the east end of the Grizzly Creek rest area. Railroad tracks across the river. Note the limestone cliffs.

Grizzly Creek. There is a hiking trail up here accessible from the rest area.

The Forest Service has a hiking trail that goes 3½ miles up Grizzly Creek, which at this writing is closed for reconstruction. Apparently there was a fire up there a few years ago, after I took this shot; it probably doesn’t look like this any more.

You can easily spend a half day or more in Glenwood Canyon. Indeed, you’ll find yourself wanting to drive back and forth through it several times, just to take it all in. Picnicking, hiking, wading in the river - what isn’t there to like? There is even a paved bicycle trail that goes up there from the town of Glenwood!