Independence Pass has opened up for the "summer season" in Colorado!

Yesterday (June 5), to be exact, was the official opening of the pass and as you will see, there is still plenty of snow up there.

If you are a skier, cross-country skier, snowshoer, enjoy playing in the snow or just want a change of pace from the warm weather, come on up to Independence Pass between Aspen and Twin Lakes on Highway 82. Do bring your winter gear - You will definitely need it, especially if it is windy.

By the way, last year I created a myspace page for Independence Pass. You are welcome to check it out and link with it if you wish: www.myspace.com/independencepass.

Enjoy all of the snowy pictures! :)

All the best,
-Steve

	The Independence Pass sign.
	As I got out of my car, the man who snapped my photo next to that huge snow enbankment on the highest switchback (photo above), offered to capture another photo of me.
	Skiing At Independence Pass I would estimate the snow to be about six to eight feet high from the ground, and there were many skiers enjoying the snowy terrain. This reminds me of last year, when I went snowshoeing in this area, and I met Steve Share of Minnesota who was skiing as part of his year-long adventure of skiing in every month of 2007. :) In that bottom photo, click the thumbnail to see all the people slowly trekking up the hill.
	Standing just 50 yards from the Independence Pass sign, there are a few tundra pools (small ponds) and I was probably standing over one of them in the adjacent photo.
	Looking towards Highway 82 as it travels west into Pitkin County and toward Aspen. I was too lazy to travel down the road on this morning.
	I walked on the east side of the road to capture these two pictures of the snowy road.
Photo Directly Below Taken on August 10, 2007	There is also a comparatively large tundra pool to the north of the parking area, and the adjacent photo is the view looking toward the west with the tundra pool completely covered in snow. To give you more perspective, the adjacent photo includes that tundra pool from the same general area. It was taken during the sunset on August 10, 2007, and you can see all those photos here: Independence Pass Sunset.

	Photos Along The Way In the Twin Lakes, Colorado area about 16 miles east of the pass. See my pictures of the Twin Lakes are here: Mountain Biking in Twin Lakes Road Bicycling Fishing Points Historic Interlaken Resort One Room Schoolhouse
	I am 95% sure that is Star Mountain, alt. 12,941 feet, after examining my topographical map.
	Westward I continued on Highway 82. That is a classic and obvious avalanche shoot on the north side of the highway.
	The gate ... It's open now! :)
	The approach toward the steep switchback area.
	Two photos of Mt. Champion (alt. 13,646 feet) standing tall and proud in the background.
	Mountain Boy Gulch Four photos as I traveled up Mountain Boy Gulch with an increase in snow along the roadside. The more courageous skiers come down "Snowdrift Ridge" in the bottom photo, then hitchhike or somehow get a ride back up to the pass. I put an arrow next to the fresh and visible ski tracks. My Other Independence Pass Pages Independence Pass (May 2007) Sunset Hike to Snowdrift Ridge Independence Lake Independence Ghost Town Nearby Fall Foliage Bike Independence Pass
	The Third and Highest Switchback I pulled over and saw this friendly couple from Texas (who spend their summers in Buena Vista) beside the large snowbank. The man generally captured a picture with myself next to the snow. It definitely helps one grasp just how enormous that snow is! :) The bottom photo shows the gate and "approach" (as I call it - ten photos above) with La Plata Peak (alt. 14,336 feet) the mountain on the right.
	Now this would be a great place to have my Adopt-A-Highway sign. It is June and there is still way too much snow to do any significant litter clean-up! :) For what it's worth, I have tried twice to have my Adopt a Highway sign in Manitou Springs (which still sits there!) moved closer to pretty much anywhere in Chaffee County or a neighboring area without any luck.
	The final ascent on the east side of the pass.
	One photo as I traveled downward.