Glenwood Springs Live Cam

With a turbulent river bordered on both sides by steep canyon walls, Glenwood Canyon has presented a transportation challenge from ancient times to modern days. The Ute Indians, the first inhabitants of the Roaring Fork Valley, avoided the canyon altogether, preferring the “Ute Trail” over the Flat Tops instead. A bit out-of-the-way, it proved a safer alternative than clinging to the crumbly rock ledges flanking the river.

The first successful attempt to bore through Glenwood Canyon came in 1891, when the Rio Grande Railroad was completed. Rail travel made it possible for Glenwood Springs to open for business. The railroad brought commerce and tourism to town. Freight remained the dominant purpose of the railroading industry in Glenwood Canyon until the 1950s. In 1949, the Denver & Rio Grande Western, Western Pacific and Burlington railroads coordinated efforts and offered travelers the Zephyr.

The sleek, silver-colored passenger train was the epitome of rail luxury. The Zephyr was most famous for its glass-roofed Vista-Domes, allowing passengers a unique view of magnificent scenery. The Zephyr was retired in 1980. Car travel through Glenwood Canyon began in 1902 on a dirt and gravel road called Taylor Road. Though improvements were made over the years, the canyon highway remained narrow and unpredictable until the late 30s when it was widened to two lanes.

In the 50s it received further improvements as part of an effort to create an interstate highway system linking the east and west coasts of the United States. Thirty years passed before the completion of the interstate system, which stretched across Colorado in an east-west direction with Glenwood Canyon as the final link. The final chapter in Glenwood Canyon transportation history came with the completion of I-70 through the Canyon in 1993. At a cost of nearly 500 million dollars and twelve years of labor, Glenwood Canyon is the “Crowning Jewel in the Interstate System.” It is heralded as an environmentally conscious design which honors the landscape it traverses.

Cast Away: Fishing In Glenwood Springs

You don’t have to be marooned on an island to find solitude and scenery, just head to the river. Spend some time wading or floating the rivers in and around Glenwood Springs and you’ll find quiet, serenity, and with a bit of skill, you’ll hook a fish or two. Avid anglers already know that many of Colorado’s premier fishing holes are located in and around Glenwood Springs. The Colorado Division of Wildlife designates the Frying Pan and portions of the Roaring Fork River as “Gold Medal Waters.” By definition, these waterways have a high quality aquatic habitat, a high percentage of trout measuring 14-inches or longer, and the potential for trophy trout fishing and angling success.

In addition to these nationally acclaimed rivers, the Eagle River, east of Glenwood Springs, is gaining in popularity among anglers. This river, once affected by mining operations in the area, is making a comeback, according to Roaring Fork Outfitters Manager, Jesse York. “It’s not a river you hear much about, but nature has been taking her course over the years, normalizing pH levels and restoring the vitality of the river,” says York. And while chances of snagging the “big one” have increased, don’t plan on bagging more. In fact, the Division of Wildlife (DOW) has changed the bag limit on all Western Slope streams from eight trout to two. The reason is whirling disease, a condition that has plagued Colorado hatcheries. The DOW can’t stock diseased fish in healthy streams, thus dropping the number of stocked fish from two million to a mere 300,000 annually.

Though the bag limit has decreased the number of fish that go into angler’s frying pans, for many anglers the joy of the sport is in the fishing itself. Because of the “Gold Medal” designation of many of the streams and rivers in and around Glenwood, a catch and release policy is in effect. Such a program helps retain the integrity of the fish population and ensures healthy waterways for years to come. York also predicts another great season of fishing which will peak from late June through September, due to the late snow season.

Glenwood Springs Parks

VELTUS PARK: Located off Midland Avenue. Take the 7th Street Bridge and turn left on Midland. Then take the next immediate left into the park. Amenities include basketball, tennis and volleyball courts, sheltered picnic tables, river access and playground. Veltus Park is also the site of the original jail.

TWO RIVERS PARK: Glenwood’s biggest park is located at Two Rivers Park Road and Hwy. 6. A paved trail makes this the ideal spot to learn to ride a bike or get the hang of those in-line skates. There is also a playground, sheltered picnic area, river access, half- dome stage and baseball field.

SAYRE “STRAWBERRY” PARK: Located along Grand Avenue at Hyland Park Drive. Site of the annual Strawberry Days festival, this park offers visitors a baseball field, basketball and tennis courts, volleyball sand court, gazebo, playground and picnic areas.

A.E. AXTELL PARK: This shady park is located behind the Chamber Resort Association on 11th and Grand. Playground and picnic tables make it family friendly.

CENTENNIAL PARK: Located in downtown Glenwood at 9th and Grand. This is the site of the Doc Holliday’s Festival. Benches and a table with a chess/checkerboard invite visitors to sit awhile.

O’LEARY PARK: Located southwest of Glenwood Springs High School off Roaring Fork Drive. The park is accessible only by walking or biking on the segment of river trail which parallels the river. It offers resting and picnic areas in a naturally landscaped setting.