Herb’s Blog, Herbdate 22558 – 871
Here’s the haps:
The last time I had tried to embed a map in a post I wound up having problems with everyone being able to see it. I’m going to try it again because if you look at the hairpin turns and the mountainous terrain you will understand the kind of slow drive we took to go to Aspen, Colorado from Colorado Springs, Colorado. I was kind of surprised that Google Maps would not plot the drive but then I realized that this road, Colorado Highway 82, is closed from October to May. I used Bing Maps, which allowed me to future date my search, and the computer says that from Colorado Springs to Maroon Bells Welcome Center is 160 miles, 3 hours and 45 minutes. It actually takes at least 5 or more hours. The worst part is getting to the top of the pass because the road goes every which way and you cannot drive at even close to the posted limit of 35 mph. This is because of the terrain.
My son stopped early in the morning and picked up a couple of hitchhikers(Grab the little slider arrow to switch between two pics.):
I’m sorry we did not get more pictures of the road itself but we were trying to drive and it required some concentration and focus. While there were guard rails for the most part there were stretches that had none. Eventually, we came to the top of the pass. Surprised by snow and ice in July in North America? It is quite a lot colder in the mountains the higher up you go.
There are hiking trails, paved and dirt, all over here with informational plaques all around, if you are looking for a real Colorado Rocky Mountain High.
Tomorrow: The Bells, The Bells…but sorry, no tintinnabulation.
Comments
25 responses to “NaBloPoMo – Day 9 – Independence Pass On The Continental Divide – 12,095 Feet Above Sea Level”
I never made it to the Continental Divide. Glad you did.
It was worth the doing but if things hadn’t happened the way they did we probably wouldn’t have either. Well, not this part anyway. I still have to travel Wolf Creek Pass.
So much to do, so little time!
Always!
The real treks are rarely the same distance as the crow flies. The scenic route is more satisfying, though.
It really is!
Thanks for the pictures, I’ve never seen the Continental Divide.
You’re welcome. It is a neat thing. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Looks like a great place to visit….in warmer weather. The snow really hangs on up on the divide. We hiked the divide in late July in Banff and just missed a late season snow fall. Thanks for sharing Herb. Allan
Yeah, it really does last up there.
I googled tintinnabulation and it is really a word. How beautiful. And the last picture looks like a crater of a volcano, isn’t it? Or probably I am just imagining things. Your trip is so exciting. And please drive slowly even in those places with railings, which are probably just props. If something happens, those railings can’t do much. Be careful and your fans are waiting for all the beautiful pictures you can get.
It wasn’t really a crater but it was a depression full of snow. This took place in 2019 so I know I must have survived the drive, lol.
Wow; so cold! I’ll have to drive up there when I have five hours to spare.
It’s worth it. The road is closed till the end of May so you have time to plan, lol. (As if that were your sole thing to do in life.)
If mine were a solo life, I think I’d have already gone!
I understand what you’re saying.
It looks desolate and this was summer?? Wow Beautiful pictures
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It only stops hurting when I Laugh
Yes, this was July, I think it was around the eighth.
Thank you.
So interesting to see that much ice in July WOW 😂🤣😂
that is so cool to think that the water flows into two different oceans from the Continental Divide…
Yes, it really is.
Nice information especially the direction of water flow. Never heard of this!
Wonderful pictures too!!
Thank you so much!
I’m glad I wasn’t on that road. I would have been a wreck, I expect. It sounds like quite the adventure.
It was an asventure and a beautiful drive, really.