Independence Pass, Opening Early for Summer Recreation!

“This has been an extraordinarily wild swing in snowpack amounts compared to last year,” CAIC Forecaster Rob Hunker said. “We’ve had two extreme years in a row—last year, the snowpack melted around June 23, this year it happened by May 1.”

There you have it: we're in luck! Normally, the gates are pried open on Memorial Day Weekend but this year, locals and visitors will get a head start on climbing, hiking, biking and general high alpine enjoyment, as Independence Pass opens for the season on May 11.

This also means a scenic short-cut to Aspen from the Front Range, Buena Vista and all points east of Aspen; so hop in the car, roll down the windows and take in the panoramic beauty of the drive to Aspen over Independence Pass.