Independence Pass gets Scenic Byway designation

viewwestaspen — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:49:06 +0000

I drove Denver to Aspen yesterday and was pleasantly surprised to see the sign near Copper mountain read “INDEPENDENCE PASS — OPEN“. A bit unexpected this time of year, as it’s already seen it’s share of snow. When it comes to weather, erratic is normal here in Aspen, and even more so at the top of Independence. The roads where dry, the scenery beautiful. I snapped the photo below at the top!

For anyone who makes the drive Denver-Aspen, the Independence Pass route is a special way to go, only open roughly 3months of the year, weather permitting.

Colorado 82 between Twin Lakes and Aspen has been designated as part of the federal government’s National Scenic Byway System.

The gorgeous, and hair-raising, road traverses over the 12,095-foot Independence Pass. It also passes by the ghost town of Independence (the dilapidated wooden shacks on the side of the road).

The 38-mile section of Colorado 82 was given the designation Friday in Washington, D.C., at a reception hosted by the Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration. Two years ago, the road had been added to Colorado’s “Top of the Rockies” Scenic Byway system. Mark Fuller, director of the Independence Pass Foundation, said the designation will include roughly a $100,000 grant to be used for planning purposes.

Feels good to have the Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration agree with how we feel about the views.

drive-by shot from top of Independence Pass

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Independence Pass gets Scenic Byway designation