I recently took a nature trip to Aspen, CO from Denver, CO and decided to show nairaland a little bit of Colorado. Not a lot of Nigerians talk about Colorado and some aren't even aware it is a US state but it is one of the most beautiful states in the US. The trip was about 170miles(275km) drive. Aspen is usually a ski town and a sight to behold in the winter but still beautiful year round. The drive took 3hrs30mins. I don't have pictures taken on the drive there cause I was driving but I made sure to take some pictures there and the drive back.

I visited the Maroon Bells and took the Independence Pass back home. The pass is an alternate highway through the mountains we took back to Denver. It is a 2 lane paved road that gets to an elevation of 12,095ft that is open May to October yearly and closed during the winter. We were literally driving around the mountain cliff. Kinda scary! The pass has several scenic stops but we only stopped at The Grottos cause we planned for a day trip.

The Maroon Bells

The warnings!!! ⚠️

Crater Lake in the Maroon Bells!
It's a small lake but the water is so clean and the cool air coming from the lake is better felt than explained. Nature's AC!
Notice the fishes?

Fall colours

Nature's Remodeling Crew
Aspen Trees

My friend's the mountain conquerer

Drive to the Grottos

The Grottos

hope police, vio, frsc,army and unknown gunmen no disturb you for road?

Oops, sorry, I forgot that it is not Nigeria.

oliviatwist:
[s]some aren't even aware it is a US state but it is one of the most beautiful states in the US[/s].

Aunty just post your pics and geddifok abeg. No need to add lie join.

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The Grotos

Ice caves
Cascades

Words cannot express the peace and serenity felt here

Back on the Independence pass on our way home.
We drove to an elevation where we were eye level with the mountains in the background of the pics above.
I included drone pics of the route we took through the mountain(drone pics not taken by me)

Drive through the pass.
All pics taken from a moving vehicle.
It is too dangerous to randomly stop for pics here.
The pics do not do the height justice though. The trees aren't exactly on leveled grounds contrary to what the pics show, the highway goes through the mountain cliff.

At the Continental Divide(Mountain Peak)

Beautiful

Driving down the Pass

Finally down the mountain and driving through the twin lakes

Dinner
Grilled octopus as appertizer, then steak and mushrooms

Nice one .. beautiful pictures. ..
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VeryWickedMan:


Aunty just post your pics and geddifok abeg. No need to add lie join.

What lie?

oliviatwist:
Driving down the Pass

Finally down the mountain and driving through the twin lakes

Beautiful!

I love to visit here too. Did you have to book entry, packing or anything at Maroon Bells before you embark on this visit ?

Helpout12345:


Beautiful!

I love to visit here too. Did you have to book entry, packing or anything at Maroon Bells before you embark on this visit ?

I got tickets at
https://aspenchamber.org

The time of the year and time of the day you plan to to visit determines the ticket options available. The page says to book in advance but I bought my tickets same day, there was no parking ticket for that time of the day so I got bus tickets.
Return bus ride is $16/adult, one way is $10 and I think car parking is $10. It allows overnight stay in the bells and with the lowest elevation there being just about 10,000ft above sea level, it's going to a gorgeous night sky.

oliviatwist:


I got tickets at
https://aspenchamber.org

The time of the year and time of the day you plan to to visit determines the ticket options available. The page says to book in advance but I bought my tickets same day, there was no parking ticket for that time of the day so I got bus tickets.
Return bus ride is $16/adult, one way is $10 and I think car parking is $10. It allows overnight stay in the bells and with the lowest elevation there being just about 10,000ft above sea level, it's going to a gorgeous night sky.

Thanks For sharing.

So, You took the shuttle to take a tour of the bells from the entrance or arrivals?

Where did you pack your car you drove from Denver before joining the bus ? Is this the $10 car packing ?

Beautiful thread. Traveling is therapeutic

Helpout12345:


Thanks For sharing.

So, You took the shuttle to take a tour of the bells from the entrance or arrivals?

Where did you pack your car you drove from Denver before joining the bus ? Is this the $10 car packing ?

We were already in Aspen on the day we decided to go to Maroon-bells but at that time, it was past the daily cutoff for private cars. I drove to the office where I had to pick up tickets somewhere downtown, there is paid and free parking close by. The bus took us through the gates of the Maroon Bells and dropped us off at a spot that was for parking inside, after that we were free to roam around, hike up the mountains, do whatever. Buses that return people with tickets to downtown Aspen leaves every 15mins until 1pm, then every 20mins until 5pm.

For cars, if you have your ticket, its just to drive to the bells and park there but you have to get in before 8am for day visit(12am-4.30pm) and after 5pm for evening visit(5pm-12am), the parking is $10. I am not sure about the cost but there is also a 24hr and 2 nights option. I attached pictures of the parking spot.

Harkstetunz:
Beautiful thread. Traveling is therapeutic

Thank you. It really is.
The trip was relaxing and refreshing.

Nice post OP, very beautiful

oliviatwist:

We were already in Aspen on the day we decided to go to Maroon-bells but at that time, it was past the daily cutoff for private cars. I drove to the office where I had to pick up tickets somewhere downtown, there is paid and free parking close by. The bus took us through the gates of the Maroon Bells and dropped us off at a spot that was for parking inside, after that we were free to roam around, hike up the mountains, do whatever. Buses that return people with tickets to downtown Aspen leaves every 15mins until 1pm, then every 20mins until 5pm.

For cars, if you have your ticket, its just to drive to the bells and park there but you have to get in before 8am for day visit(12am-4.30pm) and after 5pm for evening visit(5pm-12am), the parking is $10. I am not sure about the cost but there is also a 24hr and 2 nights option. I attached pictures of the parking spot.

Many thanks Olivia. Very detailed information.

Is below the address in downtown Aspen where you picked up the tickets? If not, please can you help with that address ? Thanks again.

Aspen Chamber Resort Association
590 N. Mill Street
Aspen, CO 81611

Helpout12345:


Many thanks Olivia. Very detailed information.

Is below the address in downtown Aspen where you picked up the tickets? If not, please can you help with that address ? Thanks again.

Aspen Chamber Resort Association
590 N. Mill Street
Aspen, CO 81611

I booked for tickets online at the website initially provided and they sent me a confirmation email with the departure point, the departure point is right next to the office I got my tickets. The address is

Aspen Highlands Village
75 Boomerang Rd
Aspen, CO 81611, US

oliviatwist:

I booked for tickets online at the website initially provided and they sent me a confirmation email with the departure point, the departure point is right next to the office I got my tickets. The address is

Aspen Highlands Village
75 Boomerang Rd
Aspen, CO 81611, US

Thank you so much. Aspen CO, Maroon Bells is my next travel destination.