The Top of the Rockies National Scenic Byway is a National Scenic Byway and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in the high Rocky Mountains of Eagle, Lake, Pitkin, Summit counties, Colorado, United States. The byway showcases the two highest peaks of the Rocky Mountains: Mount Elbert at elevation and Mount Massive at elevation . The byway connects with the Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway at the junction of Colorado State Highway 82 and U.S. Highway 24.
The byway has two northern extensions. The northwestern extension extends from the historic mining town of Leadville over Tennessee Pass to Interstate 70 near Minturn. The northeastern extension extends from Leadville over Fremont Pass to I-70 at Copper Mountain. The two extensions can be driven together as a tour from I-70 to Leadville and back to I-70.
The byway crosses the Continental Divide at Independence Pass at elevation, Fremont Pass at elevation, and Tennessee Pass at elevation. Independence Pass is closed from October to May. The gold mining ghost town of Independence is a historic townsite west of Independence Pass. The Leadville Historic District is a National Historic Landmark. History Colorado operates the Healy House Museum and Dexter Cabin in Leadville. The City of Leadville is the highest incorporated city in North America with a downtown elevation of .
Route description
The byway starts in Aspen, traveling on east over Independence Pass and near the Twin Lakes to just north of the town of Granite. The route then continues north on through Leadville to Interstate 70 (I-70). A spur of the byway continues along the entire length of from Leadville to Copper Mountain, through Fremont Pass.