The 32-mile Independence Pass is an essential American experience for its majesty, jaw-dropping scenery and “Let’s pull over and take another 100 selfies.” It’s open now through October, and closed to traffic in winter.

Part of Colorado State Highway 82, Independence Pass is 12,095 feet above sea level and the highest paved pass in North America. Depending on your driving habits, it takes anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes to twist around groves of sublimely beautiful aspen trees and the Roaring Fork River.

It’s narrow, it’s steep enough to make you queasy and it’s twisty as corkscrew pasta, with few guardrails. It’s safe, however, if you take it easy and use common sense. There’s camping for a fee at most places, but it’s offered free along Lincoln Creek Road. Numerous hiking opportunities abound, naturally. But you can also pull off, walk a short distance and picnic near streams, or sit and contemplate and forget the madding crowd. Take your trash, please.

The drive from Denver’s around 142 miles and should take approximately three hours depending on traffic and your driving habits. You can either pop out on the Aspen side and spend the night there, or, if you haven’t had your fill, just turn around and do the pass again.

Helpful things to know

*Oversize and overweight vehicles are prohibited at all times due to the narrowness of the roads in different sections. Don’t try to do it in your RV, in other words.

*Cell phone service is more or less non-existent on Independence Pass, so be sure to download any map you consult so it can be seen off-line. That said, first-timers can just follow the road and you’ll get to the other side from either direction. You just won’t be able to determine “Are we there yet?” until you’re there.

*The best times to drive as far as road conditions and ideal hiking are June, July and August. Because of the mountainous terrain, you’re more than likely to come across snow as late as the latter part of May. Check road conditions beforehand. And drive a snow-worthy vehicle – leave your MX5 or Volkswagen Beetle at home. The pass is full of hairpin turns you’ll want to do when the weather is mild.

*You can visit as late as October but by that time, the fall colors will be finished and it’ll be like watching “The Wizard Of Oz” in black and white. It’s still fun but you won’t get the full, majestic, soul-stirring experience. The last week of September is usually a good bet to experience the explosion of rich color the pass is known for.

*Bring a jacket no matter what time of year you go. Colorado is known for its bipolar weather. It can be 70 degrees and sunny at noon and 40 degrees at 4 PM.