2015 USA Pro Challenge (Stages 3 and 4) State Highway 82 Spectator Guide to Parking and Camping on Independence Pass

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1 2015 USA Pro Challenge (Stages 3 and 4) State Highway 82 Spectator Guide to Parking and Camping on Independence Pass Stage 3 Copper Mountain Resort to Aspen, Wednesday, August 19 Racers will head south on State Highway 91 from Copper to Leadville, over Fremont Pass. Racers then will head west on US 24, turn on CR 99, and loop around the scenic Turquoise Lake to the historic town of Leadville. The riders then head east on US 24 to State Highway 82, where they will start the epic climb west over the iconic Independence Pass and into the town of Aspen. Stage 4 Aspen to Breckenridge, Thursday, August 20 Riders start their day battling the steep climb over the famed Independence Pass that reaches an elevation of 12,000 feet as they head east on State Highway 82, to US 24. Riders continue east on US 24 to Buena Vista, turn north on US 285 to South Park, and then turn north on State Highway 9, over Hoosier Pass to the town of Breckenridge. Independence Pass Area General Reminders: Independence Pass is known for its challenging and steep grades and incredible vistas. It is also home to a tundra ecosystem, which is fragile and subject to disruption. Please practice good stewardship ethics by packing out any trash and staying on the trail or roadside for race viewing. The White River National Forest and the Aspen-Sopris Ranger District are excited to work with partners like the city of Aspen and Pitkin County to provide opportunities for the public to view the Pro Challenge Race from different parts of the Forest. Well-behaved pets are welcome as long as they are tightly leashed to avoid racer collision. Please pack out all pet waste. When nature calls, please use portable restroom facilities to help us keep the area clean and free of waste! The White River National Forest is yours to explore, discover, and care for. Help us keep the forest clean and healthy for future generations by staying on the trail, leaving no trace, and practicing good stewardship when race spectating! Vegetation grows slowly; plants are vulnerable to being crushed and may take hundreds of years to recover. Parking is limited. Biking to the event is encouraged. Help us protect the fragile and beautiful areas that make the Aspen area so unique by minding overnight stay and parking regulations. See below for a full list of camping and parking options.

2 Page 2 of 6 Road Closures: State Highway 82 (Aspen to Twin Lakes) will be closed to motorized vehicles during the event; specific times will be designated by the Colorado Department of the Transportation and the Colorado State Patrol and are subject to change. For information on road closures, go to Parking: Day parking is available in many locations along State Highway 82. Please use existing pulloffs, trailheads, day-use areas, etc., for parking and do not create new impacts. Do not park in the two areas marked in red along State Highway 82 (see map) or any other areas marked with NO PARKING signs. Vehicles must be parked before road closures occur. Do not park in developed campgrounds unless you are staying there overnight. There will be designated emergency vehicle parking at the summit of Independence Pass. Do not park in the area designated for emergency vehicles. FOR YOUR SAFETY! Stay off the race course. Keep your pets at home or securely leashed to avoid collisions and injury. Help keep yourself and the racers safe by viewing from an appropriate distance. Contact: Kate Jerman, , kejerman@fs.fed.us

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4 Page 4 of 6 Camping Information: Overnight camping between the towns of Aspen and Leadville is allowed and encouraged in the developed campgrounds listed below. Reservations can be made within four days of the event by calling or visiting recreation.gov. Extremely limited dispersed camping is available. Developed Campground Options: Difficult Campground: Closest campground to Aspen, approximately 3 miles outside of town on State Highway 82. Cost: $23 per night, 47 sites; Reservations and first comefirst served. Weller Campground: Approximately 9 miles from Aspen on State Highway 82; 11 sites, $20/night; first come-first served. Lincoln Gulch: Approximately 11 miles from Aspen, 0.4 miles from State Highway 82 on Lincoln Creek Road; 7 sites, $19/night; first come-first served. Portal Campground: Approximately 6.5 miles from State Highway 82 on Lincoln Creek Road; 7 sites, donation; first come-first served. Lost Man Campground: Approximately 15 miles from Aspen; 10 sites, $19 per night, first come-first served. Bogan Flats Campground: Approximately 23 miles south of Carbondale on State Highway 133; $22 per night; reservations and first come-first served. Redstone I Campground: Approximately 16 miles south of Carbondale on State Highway 133; $36 per night, reservations and first come-first served. Redstone II Campground: Approximately 16 miles south of Carbondale on State Highway 133; $27 per night, reservations and first come-first served. Avalanche Campground: Approximately 12.5 miles south of Carbondale on State Highway 133; creek crossing, 6 sites; first come-first served. Dispersed Campground Options: Dispersed camping options in the Aspen Ranger District include specially designated areas temporarily available to accommodate the large number of spectators expected (Wednesday, August 19, and Thursday, August 20, ONLY). Lincoln Creek Road: Approximately 6-mile road, 22 designated sites Difficult Day Use Area: Walk-in tent camping in the day use area, approximately 50 tents Lost Man Trailhead: Overflow vehicle camping at trailhead parking lot, approximately 10 vehicles Overnight parking and camping is allowed on Independence Pass from the Forest Boundary to MM 56 in Pitkin County.

5 Page 5 of 6 Dispersed camping is allowed within the Leadville Ranger District except for the Twin Lakes and Turquoise Lake Recreation Areas, and the section of State Highway 82, as described above. Good areas for dispersed camping include: Graham McNasser Trailhead area Parry Peak Gravel Pit area Willis Gulch Trailhead parking lot Dispersed campsites east of Willis Gulch FOR MORE INFORMATION: To book campground reservations four or more days in advance, visit For more information, call the Sopris Ranger District at , or the Leadville Ranger District at , or visit us at 810 Front Street, Leadville, CO

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