We stopped at a 1800's mining "ghost town" along the pass. Maybe next time! We had a late start on the pass (spent the morning at Turquoise Lake near Leadville), so didn't continue all the way to Aspen. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Australia. Are the prices for this place or activity, Hwy 82, 20 miles E of Aspen, Aspen, CO 81611, Amazing views! We left Aspen heading to Twin Lakes. Use these water sources to capture reflections of the surrounding peaks or the alpenglow of the clouds during sunset. A tent city sprang up that summer, and by 1880 there were 300 people living in the camp. The views from some of these switchbacks are amazing, especially if the light is good to us and makes the distant peaks shine with a warm glow. These tours are available on Wednesday and Saturdays only! Is this a must-do if you are traveling with a, Is this a place or activity you would suggest for, Is this a romantic place or activity that you would suggest for, Are the prices for this place or activity, I was thankful the Pass was still open late September, 2019. We pass by frozen crystal blue waterfalls and wind miles of narrow trails to the snow covered ghost town of Independence Pass. more, Top Selling Tours & Activities in and around Twin Lakes, Scenic Drives, Points of Interest & Landmarks, Lookouts, Continue your visit to www.tripadvisor.co.uk. No guardrails in some spots. Gorgeous!! Leave your neutral density filter on, as we can make our way upstream to find some dramatic waterfalls. Let someone else drive so you can take in all the amazing views. We got lucky with beautiful weather in mid-October and made the drive up Independence Pass. The drive is worth the views. The drive from Aspen to Leadville was amazing. The summertime is no slouch either, with wildflowers holding their own in the harsh tundra environment. The road is fine, but nowhere near in as good shape as Cottonwood Pass (that runs west out of Buena Vista). Unlike years past when snow was swirling or the Pass is shut-down, the conditions were warm and sunny with a lot of vehicles traveling both, Top-notch scenery with many photo ops. Book your tickets online for Independence Pass, Aspen: See 1,677 reviews, articles, and 896 photos of Independence Pass, ranked No.5 on Tripadvisor among 75 attractions in Aspen. On one trip through here, there was a photo shoot with models occurring. Copyright Big Sun Photography llc., All Right Reserved, Arches and Canyonlands – Photography Workshop, NEW 4×4 DESTINATIONS In the San Juan Mountains, Improve Your Photography with Better Composition. Careful, as the road gets very narrow at times. Certain points of the drive does get little winding with a very narrow paths but definitely worth it if open. Great views of the valley and golden aspens in the fall. This stunning drive leads over the Continental Divide from Leadville to the “back door” of Aspen. The drive over Independence Pass is an absolute must during the summer/fall months! Making our way from Leadville we will have a chance to capture the blue waters of Twin Lakes which can sometimes offer great mountain reflections (when the water is still). This drive. Independence Pass is OPEN for the 2020 summer season. with very steep drop offs. Drivers must follow the speed limit and proceed with caution. There is one place near the top where the road is barely wide enough to accommodate two cars passing each other, wi, The drive alone is worth the trip! All this and we have not even started up the pass yet. Located just below the Continental Divide, the ghost town is a “don’t-miss stop” on Independence Pass along the Top of the Rockies’ Scenic Byway. The summit of the Continental Divide is 12,095 feet above sea level, and Independence Pass is a 32-mile drive that takes anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour and a half. The top is over 12k feet, so bring a jacket! Stop where and if you can to view sites. Also in the area are some amazing cascades which bounce their way down the rocky shores of a fast flowing creek. We went all the way into aspen which was too fancy for our taste but still a. We will be able to pull over and photograph Lake Creek as it winds like a sidewalk crack through the canyon floor below. Enjoy the scenery. The drive is a little nerve racking at times. Some of these old farm establishments can offer great “rural living” photography like barns, fences and tractors. At the top of Independence Pass we will find numerous pools of water, little alpine tundra ponds which remain throughout the year. At the top of Independence Pass we will find numerous pools of water, little alpine tundra ponds which remain throughout the year. Great views and scenery. There are places along the way where you can pull off the road to take in the beauty and take photos. Gorgeous!! Beautiful drive! Points of Interest & Landmarks in Twin Lakes, Self-Guided Tours & Rentals in Twin Lakes. The photographic opportunities along the drive are as inspiring as the 12,095 foot summit. The drive from Vail to Aspen via the Independence Pass is simply something everyone should try! We also enjoyed a cold beer in Apsen and milled around the town. After you are full of scenic eye candy, we stop at the Lost Man Cabin for a hot lunch of our famous grass-fed, ranch-raised beef burgers, grilled right on site. Bring a jacket, it’s quite a bit colder at the top. Either direction, East to West, or West to East is a heart throbbing, worthwhile experience that offers stunning views and a visit to the Continental Divide at the apex of the drive! My last trip was many years ago. The road from Twin Lakes has many areas with no guard rails combined. This is a MUST excursion! Located in: Denver Colorado Phone : +1-303-880-0048 Send an Email. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Very difficult road to navigate. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the date(s) you selected. Please choose a different date. If you come here for fall experience, definitely worth the drive through & stop at the Continental Divide point. Timed for nightfall according to season, experience a creepier Aspen as you slip through shadowed streets and into the dark haunts of the past. During the winter this pass can be an amazing world of perfect white mountains. Twin Lakes were beautiful and the town of Leadville looked interesting and we. Site History: Legend has it that prospectors discovered the Independence Gold Lode on July 4, 1879. The road is fine, but nowhere near in as good shape as Cottonwood Pass (that runs west out of Buena Vista). There are paved paths at the top to walk out for great panaramic views. Without question, the can't-miss drive to Aspen from the front range travels over Independence Pass (via Highway 82, which is open during the non-winter months). Get spooky in Aspen with this ghost tour! Once we hit the switchbacks we will start gaining elevation very quickly. I get a little anxious when there is no guard rail but I was able to focus on the mountains while my husband drove. But the beautiful views would still be there with our without guardrails! In addition to being a scenic byway, Independence Pass, just east of Aspen, is a favorite recreation location during the summer months. Use these water sources to capture reflections of the surrounding peaks or the alpenglow of the clouds during sunset. As we continue to rise in elevation and break free from the forest trees, we will pass through meadows and farmland. I wouldn’t be caught dead here with snowy roads though road is curvy and straight up the mountain. wished we had more time...famous last words. Independence Pass was full of beautiful views. The road is steep, narrow and twisty with only a few guardrails but is completely safe. Either direction, East to West, or West to East is a heart throbbing, worthwhile experience that offers stunning views and a visit to the Continental Divide at the apex of the drive! Featuring many stops along the way to enjoy scenic views, it twists around stunning groves of aspen trees and hugs the Roaring Fork River. I'm glad we chose this route over the faster 70 West alternative. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Do not expect to walk the trails at the top, We got lucky with beautiful weather in mid-October and made the drive up Independence Pass. is considered one of the wonders of the world by many!! Independence Pass, part of Colorado State Highway 82, passes over the Continental Divide between Leadville and Aspen, Colorado. Independence Pass The drive over Independence Pass is an absolute must during the summer/fall months! The road from Twin Lakes has many areas with no guard rails combined with very steep drop offs. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. When you book with an account, you will be able to track your payment status, track the confirmation and you can also rate the tour after you finished the tour. During the winter this pass can be an amazing world of perfect white mountains. No matter what time of year, the views are amazing and you will find plenty to point your camera at. I hope to travel it again someday. Breathtaking views all the way up to the top and the photo ops are endless. more, French Alpine Bistro - Creperie du Village. Experience a thrill as you hear about the gruesome history that created these ghosts, and glance around, wondering where the wraiths will emerge from.