The day after roughly 300 cyclists—in everything from spandex to tutus—raced up Independence Pass's annual Ride for the Pass, I pedaled from Aspen up the famed alpine corridor. It was early morning (cold enough for knickers, shoe covers, warm gloves and a jacket), and without car engines drowning out their songs, the swallows and warblers gave a loud and melodic voice to spring. Around a bend, I found a large moose straddling the center line. I pulled over and waited until she sauntered off the empty road and into the serene, dew covered wetlands of North Star Nature Preserve.
*This guest blog comes from Tess Weaver, a local writer and editor based in Aspen. Follow her adventures on social @TessJWeaver
The motivation to ride the 4,144 vertical feet and almost 20 winding miles to the Continental Divide stemmed from the upcoming opening of the iconic section of Colorado State Highway 82, after which cars would pass east and west, connecting Aspen with the Arkansas Valley via 12,095-foot Independence Pass. I used to ride the route several times throughout the summer, but now, fearing distracted drivers and increased traffic, I restrict my Indy Pass rides to spring and fall, when cars are prohibited and one of the most scenic roads in the world turns into a glorified bike path, drawing everyone from pro cyclists to unicyclists. It’s also when spring backcountry skiers pedal up (or pedal-assist up on e-bikes) with skis on their backs to access the numerous roadside ski lines.
When the road does open, even more recreation opportunities abound, from rock climbing the granite Grotto Wall to camping up Lincoln Creek Road to peak bagging mountains like Grizzly to hiking trails like Lost Man. But the most popular human-powered way to enjoy the area remains on a bike. And no day best represents that than Ride for the Pass, the almost-three-decade-old spring event that sends participants from the gate five miles east of Aspen to the Independence ghost town site. This year, U.S. Marine Corps veteran Bill O’Hara tackled the race on a recumbent cycle, and four veterans participated in the event through the Challenge Aspen Military Opportunities division. Local cyclist Caroline Tory, who rode from her home in Old Snowmass to the start as a warm-up, won the women’s division, riding 2,300 vertical feet in 10 miles in under 48 minutes. The event rookie loved seeing the wide variety of cycling enthusiasts and multi-sport athletes enjoying the Pass that day, but mostly she appreciated the ecology.
“When you start at the gate and end above 12,000 feet, it’s so amazing to see the progression of the different climate zones,” says Tory. “It’s green and springlike at the start, and then you get to the top and it’s snowy tundra—the diversity of the environment is as great as the diversity of activities accessible from this road—everything from world-class road biking to birding.”
The Independence Pass corridor, comprising three federally-designated Wilderness areas—Hunter-Fryingpan, Collegiate Peaks, and Mount Massive—is notable for passing through three major life zones—the montane, subalpine, and alpine, each of which has specific characteristics determined by elevation, as well as a wide variety of flora and fauna.
The non-profit that works to protect that and more is the Independence Pass Foundation, which works to preserve the ecological, historical and aesthetic integrity of the Pass corridor and to encourage stewardship, safety, and appreciation of the Pass. The organization has been implementing restorative work on Independence Pass for more than 30 years.
Independence Pass is one of many wild places in Aspen that provides visitors and locals with access to the beauty and wonder of our natural surroundings. By signing our Aspen pledge, ACRA will donate $18.80 to Independence Pass Foundation, up to $50,000. It takes less than one minute on the ACRA website, it’s free, and it’s a great reminder of how we can do our part to take care of our one-of-a-kind backyard.
As I coasted down Independence Pass, I admired the aspen trees, lime green from so much sunlight passing through the translucent young leaves, signaling a new season and a new beginning. Another secret season may have passed, but there’s another one around the corner.
Don't forget to tag us @AspenCo in your Independence Pass adventures for a chance to be featured on our social pages and website!
Check out more of our top rides in Aspen in our video below.
