Hiking to Hanging Lake in late October with hopes the Fall colors had endured, the morning would not disappoint me. The lake was its magnificent self but when I reached Spouting Rock, I had a pleasant surprise.

Spouting Rock is the underappreciated neighbor of Hanging Lake. Were it tucked in a separate canyon, it would be a destination worth visiting on its own merits. As it is, it remains a side trip for those with enough curiosity to make the short scramble up through the trees once they have reached Hanging Lake. It was extra special this morning.