Drone4 Surveys Rare Occurrence: Independence Pass Is Still Open
SUMMIT COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - You can still enjoy a drive over Independence Pass thanks to the unusually mild weather.
The Colorado Department of Transpiration says the lack of snow means the 12,000-foot road between Aspen and Twin Lakes is staying open until the first snowfall.
Monday was supposed to be the day CDOT closed the pass for the winter, but as CBS4's Matt Kroschel found on his trip up to the summit, the road is completely dry and snow is hard to find.
"Up here on Independence Pass, and there's nothing," said David Fischer, extreme athlete.
On Monday it was supposed to be an epic snowy photo shoot for extreme athletes.
"Out chasing snow … we are snowmobile enthusiasts of course, and what do you want? Snow," Fischer said.
Their dirt bike-turned snowmobiles would have looked great up at the top of Independence Pass but Mother Nature had different plans.
"You come up to Colorado and you expect to have a ton of snow right now, but look at it up here," Fischer said.
Drone4 showed just how dry things are at the top of the divide. It's so dry that the highway will stay open through the weekend at least.
"Last year at this time we had a couple feet at least, and it's no big deal to ride. But this year the pass is still open," Fischer said.
For now it's a bonus few days of open road and pleasant views for people making the drive over the iconic stretch of Colorado highway.
Once Independence Pass does close the alternative route is Interstate 70 to Glenwood Springs and then along Highway 82.
