Page "Roaring Fork Valley" Paragraph 2

The Roaring Fork Valley is part of the larger Roaring Fork Watershed, which includes the Fryingpan and Crystal River valleys.

The valley extends for approximately 50 miles ( 80 km ) southeast to northwest from Aspen northwest to Glenwood Springs at the mouth of the Roaring Fork on the Colorado River, ranging in width between 1 mile ( 1. 6 km ) and 5 miles ( 8 km ).

It is surrounded by mountains on all sides, in particular on its southwest edge by the high Elk Mountains that are location of the popular Aspen / Snowmass ski resorts.

The upper ( southeast ) end of the valley is sometimes called the Aspen Valley, but locals simply refer to it as " up-valley "-Aspen-and " down-valley "-Glenwood Springs.

Mount Sopris dominates the lower ( northwest ) end of the valley and serves as an unofficial symbol of the region.

Many think the Roaring Fork River, from which the valley was named, is the unofficial symbol of the region.