SUMMARY:   Doing Independence Pass from Frisco makes for a pretty leisurely ride.  This route includes some exceptional riding and views, with a mix of mountains, passes (several times over the Continental Divide), lakes, trees, streams, and above timberline riding.  You'll cross Fremont Pass on the way to Leadville and then along the headwaters of the Arkansas River down to Twin Lakes.  You might want to hit the photo spot (see GPS waypoint) for some nice photos of the lakes and mountains (especially if the Aspen are turning golden) before beginning the great ride to the top of Independence Pass, over 12,000 feet.  An awesome ride as you drop down the west side of the pass (more great fall colors as you drop down towards Aspen) to Aspen before continuing along the Roaring Fork River to Glenwood Springs.  Lunch could easily be done in Basalt, or perhaps one of the many places in Glenwood Springs.  You'll have some interstate riding after you depart Glenwood Springs, but the ride through Glenwood Canyon may be one of the most beautiful stretches of interstate in the United States (and it was the last stretch completed).  If you do the "Independence" route you'll continue on I-70 over Vail Pass and back to Frisco.  However, the better route would be the "Independence-Tennessee" route, taking US-24 east/south (before Vail) towards Minturn and Leadville.  A beautiful ride  above the Eagle River canyon, on to Cape Hale (be sure and stop at the VU point on the left -- winter training camp for the 10th Mountain Division during WWII).  You'll then continue on to the top of Tennessee Pass before dropping down (yeah, down to 10,000k) near Leadville.  A nice, easy ride from there over Fremont Pass back to I-70 and on to Frisco.  A very nice day with beautiful scenery making for a beautiful and fun Colorado day.