Omayra Acevedo, Peak to Peak.

“It’s a long way from LA to Denver

It’s a long time to hang in the sky

It’s a long way home to Starwood in Aspen

A sweet Rocky Mountain paradise

Oh, my sweet Rocky Mountain paradise.”

-John Denver

How could I not reference John Denver when we are about to embark on a journey to and through Aspen, Colorado. There are places some people consider beyond extraordinary. Aspen, in my humble opinion, is one of these places. It’s a small town with big city features. I’ve visited Aspen a handful of times and I never tire of going. As I drive through some of Colorado’s most beautiful country roads, I find my way through Independence Pass and I am always convinced I am on my way to heaven.

Independence Pass is part of Colorado State Highway 82 and typically closed from October through May. However, weather permitting, CDOT may chose to keep it open, so check online before heading out. It passes over the Continental Divide between Leadville and Aspen. There are twists and turns you take that bring you face-to-face with exhilarating sights. Plenty of which you can experience on one of 13 trails scattered throughout the pass. Let’s not forget about the once thriving mining town of Independence. At one point, there were over 40 businesses and about 1,500 residents. Today, only the remnants and history of the town are what remain. Don’t forget your camera. Just before you start descending, you reach the summit at 12,095 feet. If you can, stop and take in the view.

We’ve gone through Independence Pass and now we’ve reached Downtown Aspen. What should we do, you ask? Well, that depends if we’re spending the day, the night or the weekend. Always get there early if you’re just spending the day. It’ll give you more time and options to enjoy the town. If you’re there for a couple of days, you’ve just opened up a world of adventure. Skiing, biking, hiking, snowshoeing, shopping, dining, massages, tour the museums, catch a performance or sit at a café and spare a moment or two to people watch between the chapters of a good book.

Winter is around the corner. If you partake in winter sports, don’t forget to visit the Aspen Mountain Ski Resort, Buttermilk Ski Area, Aspen Highlands or the Aspen Snowmass Ski Complex while you’re there. With at least 25 feet of snow and some of the runs as long as 15,840 feet, what’s your excuse? Want something a little different? Visit two of the most photographed peaks in America, Maroon Bells. A definite must-see. I know we’ve all seen plenty of remarkable photos of the bells, but please trust me when I tell you that photos do not do them justice. Since you’ll be so close, take a mini adventure to the Crystal Mill via the town of Marble, Colorado. Hurry, as winter might make it more challenging to reach.

There’s still so much I want to share with you about Aspen. Like the John Denver Sanctuary, The Hickory House and their famous ribs. I could go on and on. Perhaps, you should go and witness for yourself what John Denver considered ‘the life to live.’ I couldn’t agree more. Aspen is an iconic Colorado mountain town and it’s no wonder or surprise why John Denver loved it so much. It truly is a sweet Rocky Mountain paradise.

(Originally published in the November 1, 2018, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)