- 86.9 mi, +7915 ft. Bike ride in Aspen, CO The scenic drive along CO 82 from Twin Lakes to Aspen via Independence Pass is well worth the time. The first 13 miles of the ride climb gently through a gorgeous valley marked by meadows and high forests. Independence Pass is a high mountain pass in central Colorado, midway between Aspen and Twin Lakes and bordering both Lake and Pitkin Counties. Independence Pass is taken all the way to US 24. Free camping can be found along Lincoln Creek Road. $25,000,000. Independence Pass has got to be one of the best climbs in Colorado. Road biking on Independence; Pass/Highway 82 is a popular route in the summer. 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. 352 E Reds Rd, Aspen, CO 81611. The road is open to traffic and is extremely narrow in some sections. Independence Pass between Aspen and Twin Lakes is now open for the season. West to east, Aspen to Twin Lakes is significantly more difficult than east to west. 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. Dispersed car camping can be found along many of the dirt roads near Mt Elbert, close to the lake. 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. Snowmobilers are also able to utilize the road, providing access to ski mountaineering adventures further from the parking lot. Seasons . At 12,095ft at the summit, Independence Pass is the highest paved pass in the state. Twin Lakes Motels; Twin Lakes Campgrounds; Romantic Hotels Twin Lakes; Near Landmarks. Keep going past Aspen, to Twin Lakes and US 24, and your in for a ride. The crags at Independence Pass are arrayed along CO-82 west of Aspen en route to the Pass itself at 12,000 feet. At 7 p.m. Friday, Independence Pass on Colorado Highway 82 will close for the season. (From Buena Vista, travel north on Highway 24 for 22 miles and turn west at the main sign for Highway 82 and Twin Lakes.) *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, … Today you can view the remains of miner's cabins, the Farewell Stamp Mill, Stables, and the General Store. Featuring many stops along the way to enjoy scenic views, it twists around stunning groves of aspen trees and hugs the Roaring Fork River. ASPEN, Colo. — Colorado transportation officials will close Highway 82 over Independence Pass for the winter on Friday.The road is typically … House for sale. There are restrooms and a sign at the top. 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. 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. 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. It is at elevation 12,095 ft (3,687 m) on the Continental Divide in the Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains. 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. Visit cotrip.org for up-to-date information. The mountain views alone are breathtaking in Twin Lakes, but then with the added feature of shimmering yellow aspen leaves make it Independence Pass was full of beautiful views. Independence Pass, originally known as Hunter Pass, is a high mountain pass in central Colorado, United States. Cliff jumping in the Roaring Fork near Aspen. I hope to travel it again someday. One of the best places to stretch your feet is around the ghost town of Independence on the Aspen side. A few miles west of the pass… Read more. Hwy 82 over Independence Pass is slated for seasonal closure starting this Fri, Nov 13, at 7:00pm. It is 17 miles from the top of Independence Pass down to Twin Lakes. Be alert to all car traffic, which is especially heavy on summer weekends. It winds its way up and over the Continental Divide at Independence Pass, 12,045 feet above sea level. 16 miles east of Aspen is the historic ghost town of Independence. 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