Discovering Independence

Discovering Independence. Independence, Colorado, that is. This ghost town sits about 2 miles west of Independence Pass along Highway 82, on the Pacific Ocean side of the Continental Divide. Founded on July 4th, 1879, Independence was a thriving gold mining town with a stagecoach layover until the late 1800's when the gold petered out and, at 10,830 feet above sea level, the harsh winters began to take their toll. In 1980 the Aspen Historical Society began to preserve the area and it is now an excellent chance to walk around an actual (non-commercialized) ghost town. Plus the fact that you are in the Colorado Rockies, it just doesn't get any better that that.