Topping out at 12,095 ft, Independence Pass is one of the most spectacular mountain roads in America. Breathtaking scenery awaits on the myriad of switchbacks that wind from the Elk Range Mountains in Aspen over the enormous Sawatch Range, where Colorado’s tallest peaks stand. There is a parking area at the summit for those who want to snap photographs of the amazing landscape or just take in the incredible panorama. Independence Pass is closed from mid-October to early spring due to heavy snowfall. When it is open, the well-maintained and fully paved road is accessible for all vehicles.
A morning paper and patience are essential at this breakfast nook. It is always busy and some waiting is usually involved while trying to snare a table. During ski season it is especially busy, so plan accordingly if you are in a hurry to carve fresh tracks. The breakfast menu is jammed with options ranging from crepes and waffles, to lighter fare such as fresh fruit and bowls of granola. The lunch menu features great spinach salads, hearty soups and sandwiches.
Boomtowns came and went in the 1800s and Independence was one of the more famous ones. Created in the summer of 1879 when local prospectors hit gold veins, the ore extracted from mines equated to over $500,000 in the short 11 year life span of Independence. By 1890, nearly all of the operations were gone and only 5 structures remain standing in the ghost town. Admission is free and the road is only open in the temperate summer months, located 13.5 miles east (towards Indepdence Pass) of Aspen along Highway 82.
Maroon Creek Road is one of the most scenic drives in Colorado. Spectacular fourteen thousand foot peaks stand tall above the valley floors. Beavers tend to their dams built beside the clear waters of Maroon Creek. Deer and Elk graze in wildflower covered meadows. Avalanches roar down the sides of the steep valley in winter, destroying everything in their paths and leaving clearly defined chutes.
This area is a haven for hikers, bikers, backpackers, mountain climbers, horseback riders, fisherman, hunters, nature enthusiasts and photographers. From mid-June through September, the Maroon Creek Road is closed from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and you will need to take a shuttle bus from Ruby Park in Aspen. The bus includes an informative guided tour of the valley. Contact the Roaring Fork Transit Agency at 925-8484 for more information. Because of the road closure, this is an excellent route for bicycles, inline skaters and dryland cross-country skiers.
As you drive up Maroon Creek Road, you will pass the Aspen Highlands Ski Area on your left. Pyramid Peak is visible at the head of the valley. A few miles further you will pass the Maroon Bells Lodge and Outfitters ranch where you can ride horses in the summer and snowmobiles in the winter. Just past the ranch is the start of the White River National Forest and the guard gate to prevent automobile traffic in the summer. Avalanche schutes are visible on both sides of the valley. Beaver ponds are visible on the left along the creek. At about the 7 1/2 mile point you will round a corner and the Maroon Bells come into view. Directions: Drive 1/2 mile west of Aspen on Highway 82 to the roundabout where you turn onto Maroon Creek Road. Continue 9 1/2 miles to the Maroon Lake Parking Area.From mid-June through September, the Maroon Creek Road is closed from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and you will need to take a shuttle bus from Ruby Park in Aspen. The bus includes an informative guided tour of the valley. Contact the Roaring Fork Transit Agency at 970-925-8484 for more information.
This novelty restaurant, which looks like something from the Eisenhower administration, is named after owner "Boogie" Weinglass, who was portrayed by Mickey Rourke in the film Diner. Old photographs and the obligatory Elvis Presley mementos line the walls. It is popular with tourists and is very kid friendly. If you are curious to know what a big burger looks like, order the Boogie Burger. Instead of a beef patty, it is a beef edifice, which weighs one whopping pound. For something lighter, opt for the Ahi sandwich or the Chicken Parmesan.
This trail is one of the most heavily used trails in the Aspen area. Hikers, backpackers and horse travelers enjoy the wildflowers and access to the wilderness areas.
The trail starts at the Maroon Lake parking area (9,580 ft). Follow the trail on the North side of the lake through a meadow to a Forest Service informational bulletin board. The right trail is the Maroon-Snowmass trail which climbs through the aspen trees to crater lake (10,076 ft). Take the left fork at the Crater Lake bulletin board. The West Maroon trail follows along Crater Lake on the right side, follows the stream for a short distance, goes through forest and then crosses a rock scree field. The first stream crossing is a little ways past the 3 mile point. The trail ascends on the other side passing through forest and willow before reaching another stream crossing in an open area. This crossing can be tricky during high spring runoffs. The trail on the other side is not always visible before crossing. The trail angles to the right and steadily ascends through willow and then tundra. This area is very open and the pass can be seen in the distance. The trail continues to climb steeply to the switchbacks and a long traverse that goes to the top of West Maroon Pass (12,500 ft). The views are spectacular on a clear day. From the top of the pass the trail descends on the other side to the East Fork Creek Trail and Schofield Park or Frigid Air Pass. It is 6 1/2 miles one-way and the average hiking time is 1-2 days. The trail is considered difficult and receives very heavy use.
West Maroon Creek and Pass are in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, so please educate yourself about Wilderness Ethics and rules.
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