The road is steep, narrow and twisty with only a few guardrails but is completely safe. 16 miles east of Aspen is the historic ghost town of Independence. State transportation crews are shooting to open Independence Pass by Friday evening, an official said Wednesday. Independence Pass is taken all the way to US 24. Located 21 miles southwest of Leadville and 36 miles east of Aspen, this historic village sits at the base of Colorado’s highest peak, Mt. $25,000,000. Independence Pass, originally known as Hunter Pass, is a high mountain pass in central Colorado, United States. West to east, Aspen to Twin Lakes is significantly more difficult than east to west. Read more. The pass is a popular historic and scenic route between … I hope to travel it again someday. Short hike leads to the "Grotto", a cavern like stream bed. Alternate route to Aspen via I-70. (From Buena Vista, travel north on Highway 24 for 22 miles and turn west at the main sign for Highway 82 and Twin Lakes.) Our Aspen High Country bike tour features 14,000 foot peaks, massive wildflower fields, White River National Forest, fine dining & much more. Drivers must follow the speed limit and proceed with caution. Independence Pass is a high mountain pass in central Colorado, midway between Aspen and Twin Lakes and bordering both Lake and Pitkin Counties. We stopped at a 1800's mining "ghost town" along the pass. The scenic drive along CO 82 from Twin Lakes to Aspen via Independence Pass is well worth the time. Independence Pass has got to be one of the best climbs in Colorado. Dispersed car camping can be found along many of the dirt roads near Mt Elbert, close to the lake. The ride from Twin Lakes to the summit is 35-miles round-trip with a 3,100-foot elevation gain. *Visit other Aspen area hiking trails here. The pass, which connects Aspen and Twin Lakes via State Highway 82, is normally scheduled to open the Thursday before Memorial Day weekend, … Sort by: Newest. Probably one of the most beautiful places to enjoy the fall colors is via Highway 82 from Twin Lakes to Independence Pass. The first 13 miles of the ride climb gently through a gorgeous valley marked by meadows and high forests. Seasons . The area offers world-renown ski resorts, the beautiful mountain passes of Independence, McClure, Vail, Loveland, and crystal clear mountain rivers. Keep going past Aspen, to Twin Lakes and US 24, and your in for a ride. There are restrooms and a sign at the top. From Glenwood Springs (on Interstate 70) to Aspen, is a 4 lane highway that won't scare anyone. Featuring many stops along the way to enjoy scenic views, it twists around stunning groves of aspen trees and hugs the Roaring Fork River. It winds through the San Isabel National Forest on the east and White River National Forest on the west side of the Divide. At 12,095ft at the summit, Independence Pass is the highest paved pass in the state. Snowshoers and hikers can also enjoy the same access to the road. Uncover Colorado - Vacations, Travel & Tourism | Sitemap | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer, Camping near Aspen, Snowmass Village and Basalt, around Pitkin County, Plan Your Drive | Seasonal Mountain Passes Closures in Colorado. The Pass travels through 32 miles of mountainous terrain. To reach, take CO 82 west from Twin Lakes or east out of Aspen. Runoff on the west side of the pass drains to the Roaring Fork River, while the east side empties into the North Fork of Lake Creek. ALL | Independence Pass on Colorado Highway 82 is open for the season. A few miles west of the pass… You go past Mt Elbert (tallest peak in Co.), and spend awhile above the Alpine Line. Independence Pass, part of Colorado State Highway 82, passes over the Continental Divide between Leadville and Aspen, Colorado. The decision to close the Pass on the Aspen and Twin Lakes sides was made about 7:45 a.m. Monday. Go slow, as every instinct will tell you, and you'll be … Independence Pass - Aspen CO Real Estate. - 86.9 mi, +7915 ft. Bike ride in Aspen, CO ASPEN, Colo. — Colorado transportation officials will close Highway 82 over Independence Pass for the winter on Friday.The road is typically … In 1927 it rebuilt the old stage road over Independence Pass to Twin Lakes and designated it part of Highway 82, closing it in winters to avoid the maintenance costs. Independence Pass is part of the great Top of the Rockies Byway. It is a 19 mile paved road from Aspen to the top of the pass. Do not rely on your GPS for directions if the pass is closed. Here, you are presented with two routes to get to Aspen: via I-70 to Glenwood Springs then Highway 82 to Aspen; or south to Leadville, Twin Lakes and Highway 82 over Independence Pass into Aspen. The mountain views alone are breathtaking in Twin Lakes, but then with the added feature of shimmering yellow aspen leaves make it The midway point between Aspen and Twin Lakes, Colorado, Independence Pass is on the border between Pitkin and Lake Counties and is the dividing point between watersheds that drain into the Pacific Ocean vs. those that drain into the Atlantic Ocean. The pass is midway between Aspen and Twin Lakes, on … Visit cotrip.org for up-to-date road closure information. Free camping can be found along Lincoln Creek Road. Depending on snow accumulation, the Colorado Department of Transportation closes the highway at the Winter Gate, 5 miles east of Aspen. Review of Independence Pass. One of the best places to stretch your feet is around the ghost town of Independence on the Aspen side. It’s the earliest closing since at least 2011, which was the … Before developing the route west of Aspen, the state turned its attention the other way. The road is open to traffic and is extremely narrow in some sections. Homes for You Price (High to Low) Price (Low to High) Newest Bedrooms Bathrooms Square Feet Lot Size. At 12,095 feet, this pass is the highest in Colorado. Fee-based camping on the Aspen side of Independence Pass is available at Difficult Campground, Weller Campground, Lincoln Gulch and Lost Man Campground. Highway 82, connecting Aspen with Twin Lakes and Leadville, is one of the highest and most scenic paved roads in the country. The semi ghost town town of Twin Lakes is a nice place to walk around. It’s the 4th highest paved road in the state and it travels through spectacular scenery. House for sale. From Aspen to the peak of the pass is about 20 miles, but riders can turn around at any point and return to town. This seasonal road usually closes in October, depending on snowfall and doesn’t reopen again until late spring. The crags at Independence Pass are arrayed along CO-82 west of Aspen en route to the Pass itself at 12,000 feet. Aspen, CO 81611, Local Phone: 970.925.1940Toll-Free Phone: 877.702.7736Email: [email protected], Independence Ghost Town - 360 Virtual Tour, North Star Nature Preserve - 360 Virtual Tour, Independence Pass is closed for the winter season. Independence Pass crosses the Continental Divide at 12,095 feet above sea level and connects Aspen and Twin Lakes. Elbert, and beside the beautiful Twin Lakes. Today you can view the remains of miner's cabins, the Farewell Stamp Mill, Stables, and the General Store. The lowest area is the Difficult Cliff while the highest area is Instant Karma Cliff, located near the summit of the divide. Independence Pass refers to the 32 mile stretch of Highway 82 that connects Aspen, CO, to Twin Lakes, CO. Independence Pass, Twin Lakes: See 142 reviews, articles, and 60 photos of Independence Pass, ranked No.1 on Tripadvisor among 5 attractions in Twin Lakes. The road climbs to the continental divide at the top of the Pass (12,095 ft.). Due to harsh weather conditions that can make the road unsafe for drivers, Colorado Department of Transportation closes Independence Pass for the winter, often in late October, and reopens around Memorial Day. Living in Buena Vista, on the east side of Independence Pass, I can tell you of the stories I have heard of novices attempting to reach Aspen from Twin Lakes via Independence Pass, only to get stuck in the snow way up in the high country and incurring massive towing and rescue bills to get them out. You are at 12,095ft, so the weather can be unpredictable. There are also shorter hikes at the lakes and at the base of Mt Elbert. You are … Twin Lakes Flights; Twin Lakes Restaurants; Twin Lakes Attractions; Twin Lakes Travel Forum; Twin Lakes Photos; Twin Lakes Map; Twin Lakes Guide; All Twin Lakes Hotels; Twin Lakes Hotel Deals; By Hotel Type. Highway 82 is closed at the Winter Gate, 5 miles east of Aspen, around the beginning of November each year. Independence Pass is a scenic way to travel between two mountain towns with beautiful views and a little piece of history. Once a thriving mining town with over 40 businesses and an estimated population of 1,500. pic.twitter.com/aJxP7SnAcN — Lake County OEM (@LakeCountyOEM) November 12, 2020 Situated along the “Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway,” Twin Lakes is the eastern gateway to Independence Pass, one of the highest paved passes in the state. Cross Country skiers will enjoy the groomed trail for both classic and skate skiing jaunts. Starts at Limelight Hotel and enter CO 82 at the end of Aspen. Most of it followed the original route; however in some places it … Not a lot of traffic, or guardrails, on winding high altitude road. It is 17 miles from the top of Independence Pass down to Twin Lakes. It winds its way up and over the Continental Divide at Independence Pass, 12,045 feet above sea level. The midway point between Aspen and Twin Lakes, Colorado, Independence Pass is on the border between Pitkin and Lake Counties and is the dividing point between watersheds that drain into the Pacific Ocean vs. those that drain into the Atlantic Ocean. Twin Lakes Motels; Twin Lakes Campgrounds; Romantic Hotels Twin Lakes; Near Landmarks. On the Lake County side, CDOT will block the road at the winter closure gate west of Twin Lakes. Approximately 65 vehicles were lined up at the Pitkin County gate on Monday, June 1, when Colorado Department of Transportation crews opened the gates on the seasonally closed highway. It is at elevation 12,095 ft (3,687 m) on the Continental Divide in the Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains. From Aspen, it’s a 4,200 foot, 19 mile climb to the summit followed by a 3,000 foot, 20 mile descent to Twin Lakes. Snowmobilers are also able to utilize the road, providing access to ski mountaineering adventures further from the parking lot. 590 N. Mill Street At 12,095 feet, Independence Pass is the fourth highest paved road in the state. 12 results. 352 E Reds Rd, Aspen, CO 81611. Aspen Chamber Resort Association Road biking on Independence; Pass/Highway 82 is a popular route in the summer. We left Aspen heading to Twin Lakes. Independence Pass Road is typically closed to vehicular traffic between November 1 and the start of … “We’re going to give them the whole day (Friday) to get it done,” Trulove said. Independence Pass Rock Climbing offers short approaches and a large variety of climbs, both trad/mixed and sports climbing is available. There’s also point of interests along the Roaring River, like the “Grottos” – cavern like creek bed. Independence Pass between Aspen and Twin Lakes is now open for the season. The road — which normally opens the Thursday before Memorial Day — should be open by 5:30 p.m. Friday, said Tracy Trulove, Colorado Department of Transportation spokeswoman. Aspen, CO – Mountain Pass Independence Pass (12,095 ft), originally called Hunter Pass, is a mountain pass along the Continental Divide accessed by Highway 82 that connects Aspen to Twin Lakes. There is ample parking and a scenic overlook where you can take in the 360-degree views. At 7 p.m. Friday, Independence Pass on Colorado Highway 82 will close for the season. It provides a more direct … Independence Pass was full of beautiful views. Primitive campsite overlooking Twin Lakes. Cliff jumping in the Roaring Fork near Aspen. 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