Independence Pass Ideas

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone has taken many photos along Independence Pass. I would like to get some ideas of cool areas to shoot while going over it this fall.

After driving over it during the summer I noticed the ghost town and a couple of areas that *looked* like they had decent waterfall/cascade areas. But I was unable to stop and explore it at the time because my family was sleeping. After searching online the only thing I found was a link to Grottos:
http://www.wildernet.com/pages/activity.cfm?actid=021501IO*206hw&CU_ID=150
It is hard to tell if it offers much in terms of composition. But I swore I saw another large waterfall on the south side of the pass, although it looked far from the road.

Maybe it is just not that accessable or not that great. I don't know. Any Independence Pass Fall ideas appreciated.

Thanks,
Derek

There are some good tarns on the pass itself if you just walk off the road to the south a short distance. For fall colors, it's kinda hard to miss on both the east and west sides, as the road goes right through the forest. But if you take the right turn just past the big water plant on the east side, the road that heads to the Mt. Elbert TH, there's a web of 4WD roads skirting the east slopes of Elbert, and they are very impressive groves.

If you want flowing water, park at the Linkin Lake/Independence Lake TH on the first big left-swinging switchback on the west side (there's a parking area and trailhead sign) and walk the trail up towards Linkin Lake, a steep, but short hike. The tundra should have plenty of fall color to go along with it.

Thanks for the tips Todd. It sounds like there is a lot to see along Independence Pass during the fall. It is not too far away now!

- Derek