Independence Pass: A road over the Great Divide

Independence Pass in Colorado is a mountain pass through the Continental Divide that runs through CO. If you find yourself doing this scenic drive, make sure to stop at the overlook just off Highway 82 for views from 12,000 feet. This viewpoint will also show you some Alpine Tundra.

by dNambiar February 26, 2018

Sights from Independence Pass
Independence Pass is a mountain pass in Colorado; a pass through the Rocky Mountains in the state. That’s not all. There’s another fact that needs to be underlined here: it runs across a continental divide — North America’s Great Divide. Rivers west of here drain into the Pacific Ocean.

A scenic drive through Independence Pass in Colorado

Highway 82, Colorado.

The highway that winds through this pass is Colorado State Highway 82. Now if you are visiting Aspen or the Maroon Bells area, adding Independence Pass to your itinerary is something you might want to consider.

Like the pictures tell you, it is a scenic route through high elevations. It’s been a while, but I still remember the drive from Aspen and the icy road to the top. And later, the curved downhill roads that lead us away from the mountains and towards Denver, threw in some picturesque sights too.

There weren’t a lot of cars on the road that day. But we did see some people at point-of interest, scenic stop on Highway 82.

If you are up on that highway look out for a parking lot by the side of the road and a blue sign board that says ‘scenic overlook’ and a bigger sign behind it that marks the continental divide.

A walk along the trail there, will take you to a vista point that shows you a panorama of the Rocky Mountains, some mountain vegetation and the Alpine Tundra — the part towards the top of the mountains where there are no trees owing to the wind and the extreme cold at that altitude.

Take a look at the pictures and you should be able to decide whether you want to add Independence Pass to your Colorado itinerary. (If you have visited the area, is there anything you’d like to add? And tips? Any suggestions for the readers of this post?)

NOTE:

The walk might make you a little altitude sick. Go prepared for that. The mountain pass lies at a height of over 12,000 feet.
And it’s closed in the winter because of the heavy snowfall and harsh conditions. So you might want to check on that as well, while planning the drive.

Drive Safe! 🙂

Views from Colorado State Highway 82/ Independence Pass

Independence Pass, Colorado

Independence Pass’s ‘Scenic Overlook’

Where to stop on the Independence Pass in CO.

The path to the scenic overlook off Highway 82

The Independence Pass Overlook, Colorado

Views from the The Independence Pass Overlook, Colorado

Views from the The Independence Pass viewpoint, Colorado

Alpine Tundra near Independence Pass.

Wind-swept snow (?) on the Independence Pass, CO.

Is that the wind’s doing?

Independence Pass on the Continental Divide, Colorado.

Frozen Lake off SR 82, Colorado

Frozen Lake off Independence Pass, Colorado

Also from Colorado:

Linking to Our World Tuesday

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dNambiar

Dee (Divya): Blogger, Freelance Content Writer & Content Strategist. | 📸 Loves tripping.🛣 Tipsy from every TRIP!😬🫣 | 🏞Follow > for intoxicating virtual trips!🥂😉

31 Comments on this post.

rupam { xhobdo }

26 February 2018 at 9:26 pm

Independence Pass: A road over the Great Divide

Independence Pass’s ‘Scenic Overlook’

Also from Colorado:

For pictures from the road, Like/Follow Tipsy From The TRIP on Facebook.

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