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Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway
Leadville to Twin Lakes
![Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway](../../../cimages/byways/tor/01o.jpg)
Looking southwest at Mt. Massive (14,421'), south of Leadville
![Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway](../../../cimages/places/lakecty/leadville/01a.jpg)
The Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway heads south out of Leadville on US Highway 24. The route travels across a large, wide open park area with a shortage of big trees until you come to the Balltown area.
The views are great in all directions, 14ers almost everywhere you look. Once you're out of the Leadville Mining District there isn't a lot of sign of past human habitation: may have something to do with the elevation.
Balltown is at the intersection with State Route 82, which heads west through Twin Lakes and then up over Independence Pass to Aspen. It's paved all the way to the summit of the Pass but on the other side, there's a long dirt stretch that may be wide enough for one-and-a-half vehicles at a time, on a really good day, with no traffic. Despite all the signs saying "don't do this" I"ve always come across someone on this road driving a large RV and towing a trailer.
I turned west at Balltown and just over the first hill came to the east end of Twin Lakes Recreation Area: large beautiful lakes with mountains on three sides. The historic town of Twin Lakes was five or six miles in. Just past the town is where the Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway used to end. I kept going, and I highly suggest that you do to. This road is usually closed from November to May, from Balltown to Aspen. If you have a problem with heights, the real climb to Independence Pass will make you very nervous.
![Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway](../../../cimages/byways/tor/01m.jpg)
Mt. Elbert (14,441'), highest in Colorado
![Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway](../../../cimages/byways/tor/01j.jpg)
The Mosquito Range, Mt. Sherman (14,036") peeking up to the left
![Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway](../../../cimages/byways/tor/01f.jpg)
Looking southwest to the Sawatch Range, Quail Mountain (13,461') on the right
![Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway](../../../cimages/byways/tor/01d.jpg)
Looking northwest to Mt. Elbert and Mt. Massive from near Balltown
![Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway](../../../cimages/byways/tor/06a.jpg)
Looking northwest across Twin Lakes, Parry Peak, Bull Hiil and Mt. Elbert (l to r)
![Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway](../../../cimages/byways/tor/06b.jpg)
Looking west up Lake Creek Canyon (where the road goes to Independence Pass)
![Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway](../../../cimages/byways/tor/06c.jpg)
Looking southwest across Twin Lakes at Twin Peaks
![The View south across Twin Lakes The view south across Twin Lakes](../../../cimages/byways/tor/06e.jpg)
Looking south across Twin Lakes, Quail Mountain on the left
![Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway](../../../cimages/byways/tor/06g.jpg)
Quail Mountain, Twin Peaks, Rinker Peak (l to r)
![Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway](../../../cimages/byways/tor/06h.jpg)
Coming to the bottom of Independence Pass