Independence Go attracts 1000’s of vacationers annually over the scenic mountain route that connects the cities of Aspen and Twin Lakes in Colorado. Often known as Colorado State Freeway 82, it has the views, waterfalls, hairpin turns, and crowds – to rival Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park.
The cross spans roughly 32 miles from Aspen to Twin Lakes and takes about an hour to 2 hours to finish relying on site visitors and your tempo.
It’s probably the most picturesque drives within the state, providing gorgeous views and somewhat carsickness. Locals know that the site visitors generally is a broad mixture of vacationers, vacationers, highway bikers, and locals simply making an attempt to get round Glenwood Canyon closures. So attempt to obey the velocity restrict, don’t go too gradual (park and get out as an alternative!) or too quick (each time you hit a marmot an angel loses a wing) and also you’ll get there safely.
For essentially the most up-to-date site visitors and incident experiences in Colorado, use cotrip.org. For the remainder of the main points you want to deliver your RV over Indy, learn on.
Dates open
Independence Go isn’t open within the winter:
- Open: Late Might (usually the Thursday earlier than Memorial Day)
- Shut: Early November (relying on climate circumstances)
All the time test the Colorado Division of Transportation (CDOT) web site or native sources for essentially the most present info on highway standing earlier than your journey.
There are lighted blinky boards in each instructions warning you of any closures or accidents.
Size and cargo restrictions
- There are not any particular cargo restrictions distinctive to Independence Go, however basic state legal guidelines apply. Be sure that all cargo is securely mounted and there are not any chains dangling, as it is a main wildfire hazard.
- Horses and livestock are additionally allowed over the cross.
Passing
New: As of 2022, there are actually site visitors lights at the start and finish of two sections of slender one-lane highway (on the Aspen facet) to permit site visitors to alternate passing via.
- Take care when passing in slender areas even the place it’s two lanes.
- Wait to cross bikers safely with not less than 3 toes between the automotive and the biker.
- You probably have a buildup of 5 or extra automobiles behind you, pull off and allow them to cross.
The place to cease
- Independence Ghost City: An previous mining city with remnants of the previous. It’s an enchanting historic website for a fast cease and a stroll.
- Continental Divide: The cross itself crosses the Continental Divide at an elevation of 12,095 toes. There’s a small parking space the place you possibly can cease, stroll out roughly ¼ mile to a vista level, and take photographs. There are pit bathrooms right here, and canines are allowed on the paved walkway on a leash.
- Grottos Path: Situated just a few miles east of Aspen, this space options ice caves and cascades, making for a brief however scenic hike, and if you happen to’re feeling frisky, a literal breathtaking dip in recent snowmelt water.
- Twin Lakes: On the jap finish of the cross, Twin Lakes affords lovely lake views and spots for fishing and picnicking.
Greatest instances to go
Lately, I drove over the cross at 9:30am on a Thursday in mid-July. There was typical early morning site visitors, however for almost all of the drive I didn’t have autos behind me or in entrance of me, and I used to be capable of simply discover a parking spot on the prime. By 10:15am on the opposite facet, there have been automobiles beginning to construct up on the site visitors lights.
Keep away from weekends and patriotic summer season holidays like Memorial weekend and 4th of July – the crowds might bitter your go to and the view.
My advice? Fall. Take a random, non-holiday weekday out of your late September schedule, and it is possible for you to to see essentially the most gorgeous fall colours in Colorado with fewer vacationers and a handful of fellow leaf peepers.
Extra ideas for RVing over Independence Go
- Gasoline up: Ensure your RV has sufficient gas earlier than beginning the drive, as there are not any refueling stations on the cross and gasoline in Aspen is dear.
- Take it gradual: The highway is slender with sharp turns and steep drop-offs. Drive slowly and keep in your lane.
- Put together for elevation: The excessive altitude can have an effect on each your car’s efficiency and your individual bodily situation. Keep hydrated and test in with your self to remain conscious of altitude illness signs.
- Examine brakes: Gear down and save your breaks, and transition slowly to new speeds to keep away from frequent will increase and reduces in velocity.
- Communications: Cellular phone reception might be spotty. Inform somebody of your journey plans and anticipated arrival time.
- Climate: The climate in high-altitude mountain climates can change straight away. Be ready for rain, snow, and warmth at principally any time of yr.
Animals, in every single place!
Yesterday within the span of my drive I noticed a number of packs of antelope, bighorn sheep, just a few marmots on the prime, deer all over, hummingbirds, hawks, eagles, and a bear waddling throughout the highway. Don’t feed the animals, don’t contact them, and don’t attempt to stand up subsequent to them for an image. Admire them from afar with the gratitude of how fantastic nature is. And don’t neglect to mark it down in your animal journal 😉
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