Visiting Independence Ghost Town in Colorado? Be Prepared for Altitude Sickness!

Independence Ghost Town is a must-stop when you drive on Independence Pass between Twin Lakes and Aspen in Colorado. The problem is that you may develop altitude sickness because of its location at 10,900 feet (3,322 meters) above sea level, especially if you come from a lower altitude region. That’s what happened to me on our trip to Colorado last summer.

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Originally from Indonesia, I have lived in Texas for 20+ years. I have visited Colorado many times with my family, but last summer was the first time I got altitude sickness in Colorado. 

My first altitude sickness was in Eagle Nest, New Mexico. We stayed in Eagle Nest for one week, the summer before our trip to Independence Ghost Town. I felt dizzy and lost my balance.

At that time, we took day trips from Eagle Nest to several cities in New Mexico that are at lower altitudes. So, my altitude sickness disappeared when we arrived at those cities. It came back again when we returned to Eagle Nest.        

Eagle Nest’s elevation is 8,216 feet (2,504 meters) above sea level.

Let me take you through our high-altitude preparation and the day I explored Independence Ghost Town, where I still had altitude sickness.

How We Acclimatized for High Altitude

It is 928 feet (282.54 meters) above sea level, where we live in North Texas.

After we dropped off our son at a band camp in Canyon, Texas, we continued driving to Raton, New Mexico. Its elevation is 6,680 feet (2,036 meters), and we spent one night there.

The next day, we drove to Buena Vista through Cuchara Pass at an elevation of 8,468 feet (2,581 meters). We stopped here and there until we got to Buena Vista.   

Buena Vista’s elevation is 7,960 feet (2,426 meters) above sea level. It’s our base for our five-day visit in southcentral Colorado.

After supper, I hiked the easy Bridge to Bridge Trail along the Arkansas River to slowly adjust.  

I didn’t feel anything when going to bed that day.

We drank a lot of water and moved slowly, learning from the altitude sickness last year. We also went to bed early.

The next day, we visited Leadville, the highest incorporated city in the United States, boasting an elevation of 10,152 feet (3,094 meters). We rode the Leadville Train Ride, which reached a peak elevation of nearly 11,000 feet (approximately 3,353 meters).

From Leadville, we drove to Vail (8,022 feet / 2,445 meters) and spent some time there. I walked from Betty Ford Alpine Gardens to downtown Vail.

On the way back, we took a different route through Minturn, Red Cliff, Camp Hale, and Tennessee Pass. The elevations range from 7,861 feet (2,396 meters) to 10,424 feet (3,177 meters).

I still felt good when going to bed.

Explored Independence Ghost Town and Ended with Altitude Sickness

On the third day in Buena Vista, I woke up fresh and ready to drive the Independence Pass. Well, it’s my husband who drives, and I sat in the passenger seat. Hehe.

The summit of Independence Pass sits at 12,095 feet (3,686.56 meters). We started from Twin Lakes to Aspen and made stops before parking our car at the summit.

At the summit, we took a walk to the lookout point. I still felt normal here.

From the summit, the CO-82 starts to ascend towards Aspen. In about four miles, we arrived at the Independence Ghost Town. The elevation is 10,900 feet (3,322 meters).

The remnants of Independence Town were scattered among the gentle uphill slope. You can see them from the parking lot. But nothing’s better than exploring the ghost town on foot.

There’s about a mile of dirt trail around the ghost town. I started walking on the trail closer to the roadside, towards the Farwell Mill site. (Toward Aspen direction). 

The trail in Independence Ghost Town follows the former stage road. I saw the ruins of a boarding house, a hotel, cabins, the General Store, stage service (stables), and many more besides the Farwell Mill.

Information boards are available in front of the ruins. Some explain the history of the buildings, while others mention the names of the buildings.

The views of the valley and the mountains were amazing. You will want to take pictures of the ruins with the beautiful nature in the background.

I took a stroll and drank a lot of water. Then, I started to feel dizzy and lost my balance, so I made stops along the trail. I had walked for about 20 minutes.

About ten minutes later, I arrived at Farwell Gold Mill. I saw there’s an off-road parking space there. I tried to call my husband to pick me up there, but there was no cell service.         

I decided to hitchhike to where I started, but cars were moving fast that day. After resting and taking Tylenol, I slowly moved back on the trail. I made stops and sat on the trail because there were no rocks to sit on.

After a while, I felt back to normal again. So I decided to explore more of the ghost town down towards the Roaring Fork River. I still kept my slow pace, and I didn’t feel anything as I got to a lower elevation.

I spent some time there. Unfortunately, a docent wasn’t around. I couldn’t ask questions about Independence Ghost Town.

When I climbed back to the car, man, it felt hard! Suddenly, I had a breathing problem, and I could feel my heart racing. I think it’s like when people have an asthmatic attack, but without panic.

I stopped several times and took deep breaths, but my heart kept beating fast.

Finally, I reached the rocks below the parking and rested until my breathing and heartbeat returned to normal.

I felt normal for the rest of the day, even when I hiked around Snowmass Village. The elevation is 8,209 feet (2,502 meters).

Should I Stop at Independence Ghost Town?

If you have pre-existing medical conditions, like lung conditions, including COPD and moderate/severe asthma, heart conditions, epilepsy, and sickle cell disease, the answer is no.   

It’s a yes if you are generally healthy. You must acclimatize, drink lots of water to avoid dehydration, stay away from sodas and alcohol, and eat a light, high-calorie diet.
   
On the day you stop at Independence Ghost Town, you should be able to decide whether you can make the trail or not. You are the best judge of yourself.

I’m a healthy person, and I still got altitude sickness.

In my case, I think it’s because I did a physical activity that was longer than walking to the lookout point at Independence Pass. Or, when we sat in a train and reached the 11,000 feet at Leadville the day before.

So, I didn’t move a lot at those two places compared to strolling on the Independence Ghost Town trail.

Some people said you may want to take dexamethasone or an oxygen can. Some said these are not true. Others swore one of these two worked for them.

I’m not an expert in altitude sickness. I just shared what happened to me when strolling on the Independence Ghost Town trail.

But don’t forget your sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses. The sun is closer to you at a higher elevation. 

Of course, water, water, water.

I hope my experience at Independence Ghost Town will give you some pictures of what to expect during a visit there.

If you feel good and ready, enjoy Independence Ghost Town!