Centered in the picture os Mount Elbert which is the highest peak in the Rocky Mountains of North America. At 14,440 feet (4,401 m), it is the second-highest mountain in the contiguous United States. Twin lakes elevation is 9200 feel above sea level and the average summer tempter is 72 degrees. For those of you still not sure were your at your approximately 35 miles from Aspen, Colorado just over Independence Pass. I frequently travel to and from the Denver metro area to Aspen to shoot luxury real estate homes for sale and prefer this way instead instead of driving I-70 over Vail pass to Glenwood Springs before heading south on State highway 82. Instead I prefer during the non-winter months to travel from Denver heading out on Highway 285.
It’s Worth the Drive
I like this route mainly because the views. I find it comforting to see people out fly fishing, enjoying a canoe on the lake, mountain biking or just plain hiking around the 130 year old mountain village. The area boasts unlimited ancient Ute Indian Trails, road to historical mines, several beaver ponds and home to plenty of elk. Snow capped peaks are visible well into spring and are first to appear it seem during the fall season, mainly because of the elevation. At an elevation of 12,095 ft (3,687 m) on the Continental Divide in the Sawatch Range, the view from a top of Independence Pass before you reach Aspen can best be described as breath taking. If you get a chance to take a drive or a need to visit Aspen with exception to during the winter months I would recommend this as an alternative to 8 lanes of pavement at 75 mpg along I-70.