Independence Move attracts hundreds of vacationers every year 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 go 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 some of the picturesque drives within the state, providing beautiful views and a bit of carsickness. Locals know that the site visitors could be a broad mixture of vacationers, vacationers, street bikers, and locals simply attempting 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 small print it’s good to carry your RV over Indy, learn on.
Dates open
Independence Move isn’t open within the winter:
- Open: Late Could (usually the Thursday earlier than Memorial Day)
- Shut: Early November (relying on climate situations)
All the time examine the Colorado Division of Transportation (CDOT) web site or native sources for essentially the most present info on street 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 Move, however normal state legal guidelines apply. Be sure that all cargo is securely fixed and there are not any chains dangling, as this can be a main wildfire hazard.
- Horses and livestock are additionally allowed over the go.
Passing
New: As of 2022, there at the moment are site visitors lights in the beginning and finish of two sections of slender one-lane street (on the Aspen facet) to permit site visitors to alternate passing by means of.
- Take care when passing in slender areas even the place it’s two lanes.
- Wait to go bikers safely with no less than 3 ft between the automotive and the biker.
- In case you have a buildup of 5 or extra vehicles behind you, pull off and allow them to go.
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 go itself crosses the Continental Divide at an elevation of 12,095 ft. There’s a small parking space the place you possibly can cease, stroll out roughly ¼ mile to a vista level, and take images. There are pit bogs right here, and canines are allowed on the paved walkway on a leash.
- Grottos Path: Situated a number of miles east of Aspen, this space options ice caves and cascades, making for a brief however scenic hike, and in the event you’re feeling frisky, a literal breathtaking dip in contemporary snowmelt water.
- Twin Lakes: On the jap finish of the go, Twin Lakes provides lovely lake views and spots for fishing and picnicking.
Greatest occasions to go
Not too long ago, I drove over the go 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 in a position to simply discover a parking spot on the high. By 10:15am on the opposite facet, there have been vehicles 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 beautiful fall colours in Colorado with fewer vacationers and a handful of fellow leaf peepers.
Extra suggestions for RVing over Independence Move
- Gas up: Be certain that your RV has sufficient gas earlier than beginning the drive, as there are not any refueling stations on the go and fuel in Aspen is pricey.
- Take it gradual: The street 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 examine in with your self to remain conscious of altitude illness signs.
- Verify 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 may 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 all places!
Yesterday within the span of my drive I noticed a number of packs of antelope, bighorn sheep, a number of marmots on the high, deer in all places, hummingbirds, hawks, eagles, and a bear waddling throughout the street. 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 great nature is. And don’t overlook to mark it down in your animal journal 😉
Able to RV over Indy? Get pleasure from and tell us what suggestions we missed.
