The Forest Service says that the new fee-based reservation system and shuttle service at Hanging Lake will not be implemented this year as originally planned.
Instead, the new reservation system and shuttle plans won't take effect until spring of 2019. So if you were planning on visiting Hanging Lake, good news: you won't need to get a permit after all. The U.S. Forest Service originally intended for the management plan to be implemented this summer, but announced on Monday, May 7, that it was still a work-in-progress, according to The Denver Channel. "We've come a long way in getting this management plan finalized," said Aaron Mayville, District Ranger. "Great progress has been made, but there is still work to be done before we can fully implement the plan and the shuttle system on time in 2019."
The plan includes having a capacity of 615 visitors per day, all year-round; a fee-based reservation system; and a shuttle system, which will be used to help manage the number of guests during the peak season (May 1 to October 1).
If you're thinking about heading to Hanging Lake in the next week or so, please be aware that the parking lot will be closed on May 16 for maintenance. Then, from September 17-22, Hanging Lake itself will be closed for dam and trail work.
You can read the full management plan for Hanging Lake here.
What do you think? Do you believe the new permit and shuttle plans will be effective in preserving Hanging Lake's integrity? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below, and let's get the conversation started.