This web site is dedicated to one of the most beautiful regions in all of Colorado. Whether you're a local resident or occasional visitor to the Independence Pass region, I hope this web site will provide some inspiration for you.

Photo collections include the immediate Independence Pass pedestrian area, the surrounding Rocky Mountains of the Continental Divide and scenery on the west side (Aspen and the Roaring Fork River Valley) and east side (Lake County and Twin Lakes) of the pass.

Please visit the Independence Pass Forum with any questions or comments you may have!

The Tundra Pools By: Steve Garufi, July 7, 2007 The Tundra Pools: Ron in Colorado Springs visited the pass for the first time in 30+ years of living in Colorado. He was not disappointed with his visit and I got a bit carried away in one of the tundra pools ... View Photos
Roadside Cascading Waterfall By: Steve Garufi, June 23, 2007 Unnamed Waterfall West of Independence Pass: I stopped at an unnamed cascading waterfall west of Independence Pass right along the highway. The road cuts right through the creek's drainage system and offers some very pretty views ... View Photos
Snowshoeing At The Pass By: Steve Garufi, June 1, 2007 Snowshoeing At The Pass: Snowshoeing and skiing are still happening in and around Independence Pass, but the snow is melting at a somewhat rapid pace. It was great to get on snowshoes for the first time ... View Photos
September 22 Snowstorm By: Steve Garufi, September 22, 2006 Independence Pass Snowstorm: I spent a lot of time capturing the snow and fall foliage scenery east of Independence Pass, but of course I just had to visit the summit to check out all the snow ... View Photos
Early Snowfall By: Steve Garufi, September 8, 2006 Overlook Between Aspen and Independence Pass: With friends visiting in town from Maryland, Kansas and Arkansas, I just had to take them up to Independence Pass so they could experience some amazing Rocky Mountain views. The snowfall was icing on the cake ... View Photos
Highway 82 Overlook By: Steve Garufi, August 2006 Overlook Between Aspen and Independence Pass: There are many beautiful overlooks along Highway 82 between Aspen and Independence Pass. I stopped near one of the stretches where the shelf road has no dividing line ... View Photos
North Fork Lake Creek By: Steve Garufi, August 2006 North Fork Lake Creek: One interesting hike in the region is a trail that runs along North Fork Lake Creek and Mt. Champion near milemarker 66 at the lowest switchback on the Lake County side ... View Photos
Colorado Sunset By: Steve Garufi, August 2006 Independence Pass Sunset: The sunset was "below par" from a color standpoint, but I still had a great couple of hours in the grassy tundra at the Continental Divide. I actually took one photo that I am particularly happy with looking out towards the Pitkin County side ... View Photos
Assorted Photo Gallery By: Steve Garufi, August 2006 Assorted Photo Gallery: As I was waiting for the sun to go down to photograph the sunset, I snapped a bunch of shots of the mountain scenery at Independence Pass. The major switchback closest to the pass on the east side offered some great views ... View Photos
The Top Cut At Independence Pass By: Steve Garufi, August 2006 The Top Cut: Just west of Independence Pass is a stretch of Highway 82 known as the "Top Cut," an unsightly "gouge" in the mountain that connects the pass to the base of the valley. Efforts are underway by groups in Aspen to restore ... See More
Snowy Memorial Day Weekend By: Steve Garufi, May 2006 Memorial Weekend 2006: While Memorial Day weekend is typically viewed as the official beginning of summer in Colorado, someone forgot to inform Mother Nature of such at Independence Pass. Enjoy this photo collection of the snow conditions ... See More
Friends At Independence Pass By: Steve Garufi (Ongoing) Friends: This is an ongoing photo collection of friends and family whom I take up to Independence Pass. I get so many visitors and this page will be my excuse to show off the area ... See More
Village Of Twin Lakes By: Steve Garufi, April 2006 Twin Lakes: Twin Lakes is a small village of a few hundred year-round residents on the east side of Independence Pass. At the base of Mt. Elbert, the quaint village is known for its large lake ("Twin Lakes") with breathtaking views of the mountains ... See More
Independence Lake By: Steve Garufi, June 2006 Independence Lake: On the west (Pitkin County) side of Independence Pass at the first main switchback is a trail that leads up to Independence Lake. There was still a lot of snow way up there by the lake! ... See More
West Of Independence Pass By: Steve Garufi, July 2006 West Of Independence Pass: Enjoy this photo collection of various scenic spots west of Independence Pass near Aspen and along the Crystal River Valley near Carbondale, Redstone and McClure Pass ... See More
Ghost Town Of Independence By: Steve Garufi, July 2006 Ghost Town of Independence: The ghost town of Independence was founded in the 1880's and served as a mining area just west of the Continental Divide. Winters were long and brutal and when mining operations spiraled, the once bustling town dissolved as many sought better opportunities downhill in Aspen ... See More