Watching the weather for afternoon storms, we saw an opportunity to drive over Independence Pass to spend an afternoon in Aspen. Driving over the pass in early June is fun because you’ll see a lot of snow at the summit. With all the foliage starting to bloom, the trees are bright green and you’ll see some waterfalls along the way. 

Independence Pass Summit, 12,095 Feet - June, 2024

Independence Pass is something to experience, if the hairpin turns don’t take your breath away the views sure will. In spring or early summer, the waterfalls along the side of the highway are roaring, in summer you will find fields of wildflowers, and in fall you’ll drive through groves of golden aspen trees. 

Independence Pass Sunset in the Fall, 2023

At the summit, at an elevation of 12,095 feet, there’s a paved path where you can walk as far as you want, the loop is less than half a mile and you will have incredible views of the Collegiate Peaks. The temperature will be noticeably cooler and windy, but stopping, walking, and taking pictures is worth every effort.

There are a lot of places to enjoy a hike or have a picnic lunch. The Aspen Trail Finder is a great resource. A newer addition to the pass is two traffic stops, powered by solar, and help when the narrower west side becomes a single lane. This used to be one of the most difficult sections of the pass to navigate. 

View Over Independence Pass 

On this day trip, we drove east to west over the pass. Our route began on I-70 West to Copper Mountain, where we exited onto Highway 91 and went over Fremont Pass to Leadville. After we drove through Leadville we arrived 25 minutes later in Twin Lakes. 

Twin Lakes, Colorado 

Twin Lakes is a small town established in 1885, located 20 miles south of Leadville. The town is rich in history and offers stunning views of the Collegiate Peaks. It’s an ideal place to take a break, enjoy a cup of coffee, or have a meal at The Roadhouse. The area is renowned for hiking the 13,000 and 14,000 foot peaks along the Colorado Trail and Continental Divide Trail, as well as for mountain biking and fly-fishing. The lakes are great for paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing, (rentals here) and picnicking while enjoying the scenery. There's also a lovely trail around the lakes. 

Downtown Twin Lakes, walking distance from Highway 82

On the west side, you reach the beautiful town of Aspen. There’s a lot of street parking, most are paid spots, however, the trade-off is no matter where you park you will be close to downtown. The vibe is dynamic in Aspen, where fashion meets hardcore adventure enthusiasts. Within a block, you can shop at Ute Mountaineer and Prada. You’ll park between a twenty-year-old 4Runner and a brand-new Maserati. 

Downtown at the Aspen Public House 

Food choices are abundant in Aspen. During this visit, we had lunch at the Aspen Public House and had the local burger with fries. The ambiance in this historic building, the crowd, and the friendly staff make it a top recommendation for us to return to. Another favorite is Westy’s Tap & Tavern, known for its great pizza and outdoor seating. We always make a point to visit the Red Fox Frozen Yogurt cart because it's just so good!

Top of the Gondola Ride at Aspen Mountain

During the summer, it's worth taking a ride on the gondola. The views are spectacular, there are hiking trails, and the restaurant at the top is open. It's an unforgettable experience. In 2024, a round trip costs $37. For $46, you can enjoy three days of rides, which also include Snowmass. Snowmass features the Lost Forest, where you can zipline, ride the alpine coaster, go mountain biking, take on a ropes course, and try rock climbing.

Top of Aspen Mountain