Independence Pass and the Lake District

After a visit to the magic of Maroon Bells near Aspen, Route 82 between Aspen and Leadville passes through some magnificent mountain scenery and reaches a height of more than 12,000 feet at Independence Pass. This pass is where the road crosses the Continental Divide.

As you then drive eastward, you swoop down into the Lakes District, where one finds more hillsides carpeted with aspens changing color and meandering streams.