Colorado Riding, Day 2 -- Colorado Springs to Aspen to Montrose

July 17, 2023

Colorado Riding, Day 2 -- Colorado Springs to Aspen to Montrose

On Saturday, our ride to Montrose, Colorado, includes getting on 24 to 24/285 to 82 (yes, I’m a road number person – but Colorado isn’t as much about numbers as names) to do the Independence Pass over to Aspen then down to Montrose. It’s a pretty ride over to Independence Pass, and the terrain is so different in places.

Pikes Peak from the hotel!

Harper lives right down the road from the Garden of the Gods!

Garden of the Gods (didn't know until we came back)

Pike's Peak from a different side!

We start off in red rocks heading to Woodland Park.

McDonalds and Pike's Peak (we're at Sonic)

Then some curvy mountains with Pike’s Peak to the left of us. And then boom you’re in this huge plains area for miles and miles, with snow-covered mountains in the distance. In this plains area, there are RVs and trailers sprinkled. Couldn’t imagine living in this wind gusty plains! We stop in Harbel for a break (and I buy cherries at a roadside stand).

Then over to Independence Pass. We added this ride to the trip, not just because we wanted to lunch in Aspen, but because on my Butler map it’s considered a Gold “Best” Ride.

Per Butler Maps (www.butlermaps.com ): Quintessential Colorado, Independence Pass is the second highest paved road in the state. This is G1 at its finest with nearly 30 miles of dramatic riding. From the hip mountain village of Aspen to the west, this narrow path of pavement brings you past shimmering aspen groves, crystal clear waterfalls and above treeline to breathtaking vistas of the Sawatch Mountains. It is closed to large truck traffic though it sees plenty of travelers, especially on holiday weekend and during fall color changes. The pass is closed in the winter.”

It starts out in the woods (Aspens and Birches), until you get up in elevation, with switchbacks – and snow! Beautiful, but a few times I couldn’t look down because of the sheer drop off. We stop at the Continental Divide and take some pictures. Hard to believe that it’s July and we’re riding through snow!

Then down the mountain (didn’t take as long) and the rest of the ride isn’t as steep over to Aspen (there are a couple of spots that they’ve turned into one lane with lights – probably because it’s just not wide enough for two vehicles anymore (at least they had signs heading into Independence Pass – multiple signs – that prohibit vehicles over 35 feet from doing the pass. Big time fines. With the switchbacks and narrow lanes, definitely see why.)

Silverpeak is a restaurant and dispensary!

Aspen just shows up – it’s in the middle of nowhere. But it’s pretty big, with lots of expensive shops (LV, Prada). We park and I ask a lady at an information kiosk about lunch spots (something casual) since the first place I look at the menu has Watercress Salad as the first item and everyone is dressed pretty fancy. She tells me that Silverpeak (Silverpeak Grill) has good street tacos and burgers (and also has a dispensary). It’s authentic Mexi-Cali prepared by the latino community. Tony, Harper and Austin get bison burgers. Rosie and I get tacos. Kennedy a hot dog. Tony rated the burger in his top 5 – only ding was the bun didn’t hold up well to the juicy burger. My chicken tacos were ok, but nothing special.

When we head out of Aspen, 82 becomes a highway, probably the way most people head into Aspen. They have an airport –LOTS of private jets. The ride over to 133 (Carbondale) is just highway.

Main Street in Aspen

Aspen airport to the left.

Plane landing at Aspen Airport

We stop and say goodbye to Rosie, Austin, Kennedy and Harper – they are staying in Grand Junction. The ride to 80 is great. Curvy, mountains, no big switchbacks, no big sheer drops. A coal mine. We have the road to ourselves pretty much. Towards the end, we ride by a coal mine. And a winery. And farmland. Then into Montrose to the Hampton Inn (right next to the airport). Sleep. Sunday is the Million Dollar Highway to Durango!