independence pass
 

How scary is Independence Pass? We will leave Aspen just after daylight to drive to Leadville.

My reply to your previous posting was made not understanding your destination is Leadville. The information about the pass remains valid but the distance going by way of I-70 is shorter, not longer as I stated previously.

I didn't think I.P. is scary at all. I really enjoyed the scenery and the HUGE aspen trees.

Not too bad in the daylight, but I wouldn't try it at night.

I thought the drive over Independence Pass was a little nervewracking, but the experience was well worth any anxiety. It is a beautiful place. The scary parts are steep dropoffs on the eastern side (not as bad as Ouray to Silverton), and a very narrow road on the western side. If you drive it west to east in early morning, I would expect that the traffic would be light, especially in the oncoming lane, since it takes an hour or more to get to the narrow western section from the east side. There is also a trail to viewpoints at the top that may hold people up. Don't miss this drive!

You can't compare the pass with the I-70 route. The pass is lovely. I-70 not nearly so nice. You'll see some of the lesser know 14ers. I live in the mountains of CO - so I think the pass is a very easy drive. It depends on what you are use to. I would be very surprised if you had any trouble - and even more surprised if you didn't love the drive (and you can pull over, stop, and walk now and again).