Pics from Mosquito Pass, Westin Pass, and Independence Pass, and Aspen.

(Click on a picture to download the original.  Beware the pans - they are large.)

The entrance to Mosquito Pass gives the first hint of effort required.

But the road's not too bad past some old mining buildings.

This sign is a bit more ominous.

Especially when you read the locals' addition.

Bah.  Look at the peaceful little pond.  No problem...

until you turn the corner.  This picture does not do the road justice.  Then again, neither did the view from down here. I made it about 300 yards before coming down hard on the bottom of the bike. Then I had to figure out how to get turned around.

Eventually, I bailed and went up Westin Pass instead.

Coming down was the hard part but this was the worst.  And the view was worth it.

Further down, the beavers had been busy building dams...

to create their own ponds.

Independence pass is the highest through highway in the country.  Mt Evans road is higher but doesn't go through.

Not much grows up this high.  Here's a 360 degree pan.

This is the town of Aspen from a ways up Smuggler Mountain.  The lower road in the center of the picture is where I started from.

A good day trip.