Colorado, Independence Pass News

Haven’t been up there yet, news is it’s still supposed to open tomorrow PM. We are very excited to backcountry ski up there Friday. Photos:

The sign as it was yesterday, May 25 2011, CDOT photo presumably taken while they were up there plowing. Apparently the snowpack is something like 200 percent of normal. Even 'normal' is good, so this is amazing.

The sign as it is once the snow settles and melts a bit, this taken a few years ago around this time of year.

16 Responses to “Colorado, Independence Pass News”

1. SB May 25th, 2011 10:18 am

   Looks great. I’ve been skiing the pass frequently over the last few years. This year, I’m thinking about getting after some of the Front Range Gems since they aren’t in shape that often.

   If it were going to be cooler, I might be tempted to ski on the Bells.

2. Scott May 25th, 2011 11:37 am

   Thanks for the teaser Lou. I’m salivating as I type. Should be great spring/summer skiing up there this year.

3. Lou May 25th, 2011 11:44 am

   I have to say, that photo really got me motivated.

4. Chad May 25th, 2011 12:11 pm

   I’ve never done any skiing at Independence, are there any resources out there that provide information on the area (other than just a topo map)?

5. Lou May 25th, 2011 1:02 pm

   Chad, if you can find a copy of my book, Dawson’s Guide to Colorado Backcountry Skiing, it has major details. Out of print so hard to find.

   Am porting that book to a website and trying to get the Indy info up by the weekend, but no guarantees.

6. Glenn Sliva May 25th, 2011 5:28 pm

   I rode my bike up to the last corner before the Pass and saw large slab avalanches where CDOT was doing avalanche work. It will be amazing if they get it open by this weekend. Ride for the Pass was canceled so I did it Sunday but up past old town Independence until there was too much snow (4″) on the black top to ride a bike. Be careful out there with very slabby dangerous snow conditions. Great picture Lou!

7. Glenn Sliva May 25th, 2011 5:31 pm

   Addition: I should have strapped my Stokes on my back and skinned the rest of the way up. As it was when I got back to Meredith I skinned up the Frying Pan River road towards Betty Bear which still has lots of snow on the road. They aren’t plowing the road but accessing the tunnels on snow tracked vehicles.

8. Lou May 25th, 2011 8:02 pm

   Glenn, thanks for the report! Anyone else? CDOT?

9. Scott May 25th, 2011 8:48 pm

   Yeah, see the latest:

   http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20110525/NEWS/110529886/1077&ParentProfile=1058

   Sounds like huge amounts of snow up on Indy Pass. Be safe.

   Major hats off to the CDOT crews. Love the pic of the big loader fully extended, and still not reaching the top of the snow bank!

10. brian h May 26th, 2011 10:14 am

    Holly Snow…I think we dated in the late 80’s. She still live in Summit county?

11. Lou May 26th, 2011 10:56 am

    I dated her in the 1970s, she tell you anything about me?

12. brian h May 26th, 2011 12:18 pm

    Well my memory’s a little fuzzy…I think Biff America stole her from me.

13. Lou May 26th, 2011 1:09 pm

    Last I heard, Biff is keeping her in his woodshed.

14. Forrest Thorniley May 26th, 2011 2:06 pm

    Open for Business! as of 2pm

15. Lou May 26th, 2011 2:15 pm

    Headed up thar! See y’all later….

16. Bert Middleton May 29th, 2011 1:48 pm

    Whoa. That’s some big phat snow . . . just the way we like it!