Glenwood Canyon is a naturally occuring canyou, which has been carved out over the millenia, by the Grand, or Colorado River. For many years of the 19th Century the Colorado River was known locally as the Grand River. The city of Grand Junction, in western Colorado, received its name from the junction of the Grand, or Colorado River, with one if its tributaries, the Gunnison River.

Glenwood Canyon has been a transportation corridor for many centuries, first used by Native Americans, followed by European explorers and settlers. One of the first transcontinental highways, Route 6, traversed the canyou. When the Interstate Highway System was designed, Glenwood Canyon was selected as the route west for I-70. I-70 through Glenwood Canyon was one of the last sections of the original interstate system built; requiring much blasting, tunneling, and bridge building. The canyou of the Colorado River extends west of Glenwood Springs, however is not as narrow, or deep, in nature.

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1. We are heading east from Glenwood Springs, on I-70. To the right of the car, up the road in our lane, can be seen a tunnel, for the railroad. The Denver, & Rio Grande Western built its railroad through Glenwood Canyon prior to 1880. To the left , just beyound the edge of this frame, are the famous Glenwood Springs, Hot Springs Caves. People have visited these caves for several hundred years. Doc Holliday, the gunslinger, retired as Sheriff of Glenwood Springs, and is now burried within city limits. Doc chose Glenwood Springs due to his medical condition(Tuberculosis, I believe).

2. Wide spot in the canyou, known as 'No Name.' There is a rest area at No Name, where you can connect wth the biking trail that runs the length of the canyou. Beware of safety on the bike trail, as it is heavily used, and in many spots, has no guard rail.

3. View within Glenwood Canyon. Note the highway structures, up ahead, on the left side of the picture. In many spots the I-70 is built on bridges and viaducts.

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4 & 5. Views heading eastbound along I-70. These pictures were taken in early afternoon, on October 11, 2003.

6. View of I-70 eastbound, approaching the Hanging Lake Tunnels. The highway crosses the canyon up ahead. The other stucture heads to the Hanging Lake Rest Area. In addition to Hanging Lake, and No Name, there is another rest area between them, named Powerhouse, or Power Station. From Hanging Lake, it is only possible to re-enter I-70 going Westbound.

 

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Updated 11/12/2003

(c) Copyright, J. Carl Shaw, 2003. All rights Reserved. Photos and Text may be sued at mo charge, by giving credit to the photrgrapher/author.