Located on the Twin Lakes side of Independence Pass, Colorado,
the Twin Peaks Campground is a great base camp for climbing Mount Elbert or La Plata Peak
. The campground is equipped with drinking water, pit toilets, and trash collection, and all sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Is Independence Pass paved?
Part of State Highway 82, it is the highest paved state highway over the Continental Divide in Colorado. Though
it is a paved road
, it can be narrow and winding and therefore difficult to traverse in poor weather. It also has steep dropoffs in places along the route.
Can you drive Independence Pass at night?
Independence Pass is one of the few places in the United States where
it’s possible to drive at night
to a place that’s pitch dark with clear, dry, high altitude air. Standing on top of it is a like being in a brilliant dream of twinkling stars and night sky.
How long does it take to get over Independence Pass?
The summit at the Continental Divide is 12,095 feet above sea level. It is about 32 miles long and takes anywhere from
45 minutes to an hour-and-a-half
with stops along the way to enjoy the scenic views.
Is the drive from Vail to Aspen scary?
The drive was definitely not as scary as some made it out to be
. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Take your time driving through this amazing road; if you get motion sickness or are afraid of heights I would recommend an alternative road.
What is the highest pass in Colorado?
Mount Evans Scenic Byway
– 14,130 ft (Asphalt) Clear Creek Co. The Mount Evans Scenic Byway is the highest paved road in Colorado, the United States, and the entire of North America. It stretches for 28 miles and reaches a dizzying height of 14,130 ft.
Is Driving Independence Pass scary?
Driving on Independence Pass
may be scary for some inexperienced and timid drivers
. There are steep inclines, steep drop-offs, tight winding roads, including tight switchbacks and narrow stretches that can fit only one car at a time.
Is Independence Pass in Colorado still open?
Each year, this two-lane, 12,095-foot pass
closes for the winter
for the safety of the travelling public and CDOT maintenance crews. It typically closes on or near Nov. 7 and almost always re-opens on the Thursday before Memorial Day each May.
Why is Berthoud Pass closed?
Berthoud Pass closed for approximately 2-3 hours for
avalanche snow removal
. The alternate route for motorists is Highway 9 to I-70 or US 40. Please be reminded to drive for the weather conditions and that the highway may be icy in spots.
What is the highest point you can drive to?
Here are four of the highest points you can reach by vehicle:
Mount Evans, Colo.: 14,130 feet
(the highest paved road in North America). Pikes Peak, Colo.: 14,115 feet. Mauna Kea, Hawaii: 13,796 feet.
Is Independence Pass the highest pass in Colorado?
Independence is the highest paved mountain pass in Colorado
, though there are several higher unpaved passes (such as Mosquito and Cottonwood), while three paved roads climb further (Pikes Peak Highway, Mount Evans Byway, Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park), but these are not passes.
Is Independence Pass a dirt road?
It is traversed by State Highway 82 and crosses the Sawatch Mountains between Twin Lakes and Aspen. The eastern side has 3 big switchbacks but the road is good, 2 lanes, and paved.
The western side, the descent into Aspen, has a couple of stretches of one lane dirt
.
Why is Independence Pass in Colorado closed?
PITKIN/LAKE COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — Independence Pass will not reopen for the season after closing on Monday for
a winter storm
, Colorado Department of Transportation announced on Thursday.
How long does it take to drive from Denver to Aspen via Independence Pass?
Take Hwy 82 through Glenwood Springs and stay on the same road all the way to Aspen approximately 42 miles). A slightly shorter and more scenic summer route from Denver to Aspen (approximately
3.5 hours
) goes over Independence Pass.
Is Independence Pass open to bikes?
Open/Season: Independence Pass is
open for cyclists from Memorial Day Weekend to about November 1, depending on the weather
. We recommend checking COtrip for updates surrounding road conditions, closures or delays. When to Start the Ride: 6:30 am after morning espresso.
How long is the drive from Vail to Aspen via Independence Pass?
| From: | City: round-trip one-way | Check-in: | Check-out: | Get: vacation flight hotel SEARCH |
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What is halfway between Denver and Aspen?
Halfway between Denver, CO and Aspen, CO
The best city between Denver, CO and Aspen, CO to meet is
West Vail, Colorado
. The closest zip code to the midpoint is 81645. The exact latitude and longitude coordinates are 39° 37′ 56′′ N and 106° 24′ 52′′ W.
Is the drive from Denver to Aspen scary?
The drive is gorgeous and, although you reach some very high elevations,
it is not scary if you stick to the main route
: I-70 west to Glenwood Springs and then highway 82 south to Aspen.
What is the steepest grade in Colorado?
Just outside of Lake City, Colorado, Slumgullion Pass is an ultra-high mountain pass with an elevation of 11,530 ft (3,514 m). With grades on the north side of the pass up to 9%,
State Highway 149
is the steepest, maintained paved road in Colorado.
Why is it called Independence Pass?
On July 4, 1879, a group from Leadville struck gold in the uppermost Roaring Fork valley below the pass. Four miles (6.4 km) to the west, they established a settlement in the upper Roaring Fork Valley that eventually
took the name Independence from the holiday on which it was established
.
Where is the highest peak in Colorado?
Mount Elbert
, mountain in Lake county, west-central Colorado, U.S., whose peak is the highest point (14,440 feet [4,401 metres]) in Colorado and in the American Rocky Mountains. Mount Elbert lies 12 miles (19 km) southwest of Leadville, in the Sawatch Range and White River National Forest.
What is the steepest grade on I 70?
| Base Elevation: 8,628 ft | Base Milepost: 228 | Driving Distance: 14.5 miles | Posted Speed Limit: 65 mph / Trucks over 35,000 lbs, 45 mph | Steepest Reported Grade: 5% and 6% for 12 miles |
|---|
Is McClure pass scary?
McClure Pass Accessibility
At less than 9,000 feet,
McClure Pass may be considered somewhat accessible in comparison to some of Colorado’s other high elevation mountain passes
. However, the roadway does become very steep (8% grade) on both sides of the pass, with one major switchback on the north end.
What road is Independence Pass on?
Colorado 82
How long does it take to drive from Leadville to Aspen over Independence Pass?
Leadville to Aspen via Independence Pass –
1 hour
Independence Pass (Highway 82) is one of the highest roads in the Colorado and only open between Memorial Day and Labor day (check here for road closures).
Where does Independence Pass closed?
Independence Pass is the highest-paved state highway in Colorado, summiting at 12,095 feet. The 32-mile stretch of highway crosses the Continental Divide over the Sawatch Range. Colorado’s two other seasonal highways,
Mount Evans Road and Trail Ridge Road
, are also closed for the season.
How much snow does Independence Pass get?
| Snotel Site Snowpack 24hr Change | Nast Lake SNOTEL 658 34′′ 0′′ |
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