Drive to Upper Green Mountain Trailhead (as described in the section introduction). USGS Maps: Independence Pass, New York Peak USFS Map: White River National Forest. Independence Pass summit area viewed from east. This website is not intended to be instructional in nature but rather a guide for mountaineers who already have the requisite training, experience and knowledge. But the crux of this route (and others on Green's north face) is crossing the Roaring Fork River. If we’re not traveling, that’s probably when we’ll do it this year, and we’ll announce our plans on WildSnow. Catch a ride or use your stashed vehicle. Those trucks drove past the winter closure gate into the restricted area. A common route takes the distinct avalanche path just east (climber's left) of the western glades mentioned above as route 9.3.2?. Lessons Learned From the Nation’s Leading Bootfitter, Return to Winter in the Covid-Era — Critical Questions From the Mountains, Treading Lightly Through Close-to-Home Mountains. Several close calls here over the years. I added them to my bucket list. Whatever your method, after you cross the creek, head up the glades and open areas. Mountain Boy Basin is in the background. Enjoy turns to about 11,800 feet. Snow Fence Ridge is named after the Rube Goldberg structures built on the ridge in the 1960s intended to change the patterns of snow deposition so that more snowmelt would flow to the Eastern Slope. The top of Heart Attack Hill is a nondescript flat area (12,560 feet) with a good view. For your first trip down Fourth of July, the main bowl is a good bet. Readers around Aspen and Snowmass Village make the Aspen Times’ work possible. It certainly seems like CDOT could open Independence Pass early this year since our snow levels are so low. But might have to try it Sunday or even the next weekend due to weather. Yes Map: Independence North Photo: [in collection]. Submit resume to…, The St. Regis Aspen Resort Hiring for upcoming Winter Season: • Busser • Valet Parker • Front Desk Manager -…, Now Accepting Applications for the 2020-2021 Winter Season for the following positions: Full & Part-Time Club Assistants (Driver/Bellman) Must have…, GUEST SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE - Extensive customer service, hospitality exp and detailed knowledge of the Snowmass/ Aspen area required. Multiple vehicles towing trailers became stuck on the pass and forced closures on the road.”. Drive to the Upper Green Mountain Trailhead as described in the section introduction. Ski rating: Intermediate, S3. Full time property Maintenance position in Snowmass Village available for winter season. With no cars on the road, you can pedal up to the top of the Rockies in peace. If you're worried about the steeps, here at backcountryskiingco.com we recommend circling to skier's right for lower angled terrain. Continue across a flat area then up the prominent ridge about a mile to a bump on the ridge known as Snow Fence Peak (12,812 feet). For parking you'll find a wide shoulder on the right side of the road, where Green Mountain's visible northerly faces rise to the southwest from across the flats of the Roaring Fork drainage. “Obviously, it will reopen if there’s a need for an emergency evacuation of our community,” county manager Jon Peacock said Wednesday at the Pitkin County commissioners meeting. It’s a community gathering, nothing official, please keep that in mind. If you're driving W, head over Independence Pass 4 miles. Highway crews clearing the few remaining snow sluffs near the top. As you tour, you'll see an attractive couloir dropping from an intermediary point on the ridge. If you're new to the area you can get oriented by first going to the Independence Townsite Trailhead (section introduction) and from there identifying Independence Mountain (12,703 feet , see routes below elevation?). When you travel in the backcountry you assume those risks. We are camping over on lake creek the whole weekend and would love to come and check out this famous event. If you want more glisse, go to the Snow Fence Ridge summit and ski into Mountain Boy Gulch. If you're driving W, head over Independence Pass and park 8 miles down from the pass summit. Those rides must be breathtaking (visually & physically, haha). The best line takes the center of the face; it's not as steep as it looks from the road, but it'll keep you honest. Repeat laps for more vertical. Some looking for another way Wednesday tried going up the Fryingpan Valley and into Eagle via the Frying Pan Road outside of Basalt and connecting with the Eagle-Thomasville Road. Use an old mining road when appropriate. As a result of safety concerns presented by that truck traffic, the Sheriff’s Office contacted CDOT and the Governor’s Office. Independence Pass is scheduled to open this Thursday (May 22) at 2:00 pm. Over the years, skiers have built makeshift bridges with planks they hauled up the road and carried down to the stream. One element of the beauty, freedom, and excitement of wilderness is the presence of risks that do not confront us in civilization. Put your skins on yet again, and climb N to a saddle, then W to the summit of what's fondly known as Mountain Boy Hill (at least you'll know it as that by now.) Independence Pass is closed indefinitely until the wildfires are under control and I-70 reopens to traffic. Please reply to this…, Now Accepting Applications for the following full-time seasonal position: Groundskeeper / Light Maintenance Entry level position in the Maintenance Department…, Grounds Maintenance Specialist for Aspen Estate. They can be met with reasonable safety, but only if you exercise independent judgment and common sense.