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Independence Pass

Photo: Nan Palmero / CC BY 2.0

Mountains

Independence Pass

Aspen, CO · Aspen / Roaring Fork

About

Independence Pass carries Colorado 82 over the Continental Divide at 12,095 feet, between Aspen and Twin Lakes. CDOT usually opens it the Thursday before Memorial Day and closes it on or near November 7. No vehicle over 35 feet, trailer included, may use the pass at any time. At the top, a paved trail leads to a viewing platform with Mount Elbert and La Plata Peak in view. About 16 miles from Aspen, Independence Ghost Town still has miners' cabins and the Farewell Stamp Mill from the Roaring Fork Valley's first mining site, where silver turned up on July 4, 1879.

Highlights

Continental Divide at 12,095 feetPaved trail to a viewing platformSeasonal: open late May to early NovemberNo vehicles over 35 feetIndependence Ghost Town and stamp mill

Getting there

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