East Aspen

East Aspen Real Estate Market

Independence Pass reaches an elevation above 12,000 feet and is the highest paved pass in North America. Driving or biking along the 32-mile pass takes in many scenic views overlooking the breathtaking surroundings, and rock climbing its great granite walls is a popular activity among thrill-seekers. The pass opens to cars from the Thursday before Memorial Day until late October or early November. Before the pass opens to cars for the season, cyclists can enjoy riding along and participating in the Ride for the Pass race in mid-May. In February, the snow-covered pass sets for the stage for the 4.2-mile Ski for the Pass race. There are also several hiking trails of varying difficulty levels. The Grottos trail is ideal for families; here, you’ll find picnic spots and scenery including a waterfall, rock formations, and an ice cave. The Ruby trail takes in the Grizzly Reservoir and an abandoned mining camp and ghost town. The Lost Man Trail is more challenging but traverses an attractive expanse of alpine lakes and meadows. These and other pass trails are dog-friendly and suitable for horseback riding.

 

Follow Highway 82 over Independence Pass to reach Difficult Campground five miles to Aspen’s southeast. The campground features 47 campsites nestled within the dense White River National Forest and along the Roaring Fork River. Multiple hiking trails are accessible from the campground and it’s a hotspot for fly fishing on the river. Many visitors also raft along whitewater sections of the Roaring Fork near the campgrounds. North Star Nature Preserve on the Stillwater section of the Roaring Fork River has flat, easy trails and idyllic scenery. Popular activities on the river at North Star include stand-up paddle-boarding, kayaking, and tubing.

 

A moderately difficult 14-mile trail runs east from Aspen’s Central Core up Smuggler Mountain to Smugger Mine. This historic silver mine has been in operation since the Colorado Silver Boom in the 1870s. Smuggler Mine was, at one point, responsible for almost a fifth of the global silver output. While almost a million pounds of ore is thought to remain here, Smuggler Mine is best-known these days for its guided tours.

 

For more entertainment, residents can visit shows and concerts at the Belly Up or the historic Wheeler Opera House. The area is also home to many delicious dining options, from Japanese food with a twist to Classic American comfort eats.