| Independence Pass | |
|---|---|
The continental divide sign at the pass |
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| Elevation | 12,095 feet (3,687 m) NAVD 88[1] |
| Traversed by | SH 82 |
| Location | |
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Independence Pass
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| Location | Lake / Pitkin counties, Colorado, USA |
| Range | Sawatch Range |
| Coordinates | [1] |
| Topo map | USGS Independence Pass |
Independence Pass, elevation 12,095 ft (3,687 m), is a high mountain pass in the Rocky Mountains of central Colorado in the United States.
The pass crosses the ridge of the Sawatch Range between Aspen and Leadville, on the border between Pitkin and Lake counties, and is within the White River National Forest. The pass connects the upper valley of the Roaring Fork River, upstream from Aspen, with the headwaters of the Arkansas River near Leadville. Being well above the tree line, the terrain type is tundra. It is traversed by State Highway 82, and is the second-highest paved mountain pass in Colorado, after Cottonwood Pass. The road is narrow and steep with a 6.5% gradient, including tight switchbacks on each approach. Sections of the pass have a speed limit of 25 mph, with advisory limits on some switchbacks as low as 10 mph. Trucks and other large vehicles are prohibited from using the road; large RVs are allowed, however. The pass is closed after the first heavy snow fall in autumn, often opening only in late May or early June.[2]