Ouray, Colorado, sits just inside the San Juan Mountains along US-550. There are gorgeous views and many streams flowing to the Uncompahgre River on the west side of town. Not to mention the rock amphitheater surrounding the town. This morning we are hiking to Cascade Falls. It is a two (2) minute drive from Main Street on the east side of town. Can’t beat that commute! Like most every road and trail in Ouray, it is UP this way!
Midway between the tiny town of Twin Lakes and Aspen, on Colorado Highway 82, sits Independence Pass. The second highest paved highway in Colorado, the Pass sits on the Continental Divide in the Sawatch (suh-wahch) Range of the Rockies.
Let’s explore the views and the tundra, but first we need to get there. From Twin Lakes we drive 17 miles climbing 2,718 feet, so there will be hairpin turns. At the second hairpin, what a view east at 7:30am! There’s CO-82 along Lake Creek making its way to the Twin Lakes. Yes, there are two lakes about the same size just out of view. Onward . . .
