San Juan Mountains
The San Juans are undoubtedly Colorado's and arguably America’s finest range. They are the most rugged and extensive mountainous region in the state – an ocean of mountains that extends as far as the eye can see with 14 beautiful 14ers and 314 peaks over 13,000 feet. Mostly volcanic in nature, formed by massive calderas, one of the largest eruptions in the known history of the Earth covered the region in thick lava and ash flows. The lava, ash, and intrusive igneous rock in between were subsequently uplifted. Today the San Juan’s are known for spectacular high elevation hiking and extensive backcountry opportunities. Whether hiking for a day or heading to the backcountry for several nights, the scenery will take your breath away and perhaps you will leave feeling a bit more connected to this gorgeous, but rugged country. The San Juan’s are not a part of the Rocky Mountains, they ARE the Rocky Mountains
Between Ridgway and ouray along Highway 550
Small community of Eureka looking back towards Silverton to the west
Mt. Sneffels nearly 15 miles in the distance towering over this old house
Grenadier and Needle Ranges with an old cabin from an overlook near Molas Pass
Peaks of the San Miguel Mountains from my campsite above Telluride
The Grenadiers to the south from the summit of an unnamed 12er
A cold summertime dawn at Molas Lake
Jagged Peaks of the central San Juan Mountains from US Basin on my way back from a hike
A part of Porphyry Basin from my campsite at US Basin
14,000 foot Wetterhorn Peak in the distant right and high 13ers of Coxcomb and Red Cliff peaks upper center from summit of unnamed 12,000 foot peak
Pigeon and Turret Peaks of the Needle Mountains from Silverton
Grand Turk Mountain from east of Silverton. The hazy orange is caused by smoke from the 416 fire that burned 55,000 acres in June of 2018
Hay bales on Ralph Lauren's ranch near Ridgway under the stunning backdrop of the massive Sneffels Range
Sultan Mountain from the summit of Molas Pass at 10,900 feet in elevation
The dramatic Grenadiers from an overlook above Molas Lake after a nasty thunderstorm passed. Lots of lightning occurred in this storm
The Sneffels Range from a large overlook just below the summit of Dallas Divide with 14,158 foot Mt Sneffles in the distant left
The Stunning Cimarron Mountains from atop a hight mesa above Silverjack Reservoir. 14,318 foot Uncompahgre Peak and 14,021 foot Wetterhorn Peak are seen in the distance
The curvy curvy Aspens near Ophir one fine fall morning
Another photo of the Grenadiers and old building from overlook near Molas Pass during Autumn with a nice fresh blanket of snow
Skating Highway 145 near Telluride one fall morning with 14,021 foot Wilson Peak in the backdrop, one of Colorado's most iconic mountains. I guess skate boarding the moutain highways of Colorado is a great mode of travel
Road to Telluride's airport looking back at distant Wilson Peak
A closer look at some old buildings and the distant Wilson Peak during a fresh snow during one spectacular fall morning
Paintbrush struggling to grow one very dry summer at Ridgway State Park
This house has a multi-million dollar view of Wilson Peak, Lizard head Peak and El Diente Peak
The overlook at Ridgway State Park visitor center looking south towards the town of Ridgway and the Sneffels Range
Summer flowers with tons of snow on the high peaks at my campsite near Telluride. The iconic and mighty Wilson Peak 14,021 feet is in the distance