Silverton from Hwy 550 south of town. The only "urban" area in this thread and one of the more isolated cities in the US (separated from the outside world by high passes on either side)
Looking into the Weminuche Wilderness from near Creede Colorado. A lot of gaudy vacation homes have been built in this area as of late ruining much of the ambience. Stupid Texans. My wife and I were headed for the high point in the picture.
Backpaking into the Weminuche wilderness along the headwaters of the Rio Grande
In the wilderness area
View from the top and deep into the Weminuche Wilderness. Largest wilderness in colorado and one of the largest in the lower 48. A few pictures of climbing in the rugged mountains in the background later. They are called the Needles.
Another view from the top. The high mountains in the background are just west of Silverton
A couple of pictures from hiking in the Lake City area.
Uncompaghre Peak is the highest point in SW Colorado but it's a very gentle peak compared to its neighbor, the Wetterhorn.
Next few slides are the last little bit on the Wetterhorn. Lot's of exposure.
A less out-of-focus view of Uncompagre from the Wetterhorn
my dog atop another 14,000' peak in the Lake City area
Over to Telluride.....
Wislon Peak is the recognizable backdrop to the town of Telluride
Almost to the top of Wilson Peak. Note the climbers oat the bottom of the photo for scale.
Success. My wife on the summit.
Just north of Telluride and west of Ouray is an area called Yankee Boy Basin. It's a veritable garden of wildflowers in the early summer and IMO is the most beautiful place on the planet. It's unfortunately not a secret but at least they have banned vehicles from high in the basin now.
Flowers in Yankee Boy Basin. These pictures are from several trips to the area and climbs of Mt Sneffels.
High in Yankee Boy Basin
My first trip into the basin was a long time ago....and views were obscured by the famed Yellowstone fires (the gray smog low on the horizon). Picture from the top of Mt Sneffels. I ended up coming back 3 times. Beautiful place.
Making the crux move on the Sneffels climb, it's only a modest climb but the move is exposed.
View from the top of Sneffels
same view different trip/lighting conditions and time of year
View into Yankee Boy Basin
Another view from the top of Sneffels
The descent
Further down, wildflowers start to take hold wherever possible.
A little break from mountains
We made several backpack/climbing trips into the Needle mountains which are in the heart of the Weminuche Wilderness. Each trip began with a train ride from Durango to Needleton.
My wife approaching 14000' Eolus Peak on a ridge known as the Sidewalk in the Sky to Colorado climbers
A little further along with the "sidewalk" in the background. Some serious exposure at this point.
The way forward
View from top
At it again the next day climbing the other two 14,000' peaks in the area
Mountain goats
Sunlight Peak (left) and Windom (right)
And more often than not, back down to the train in the rain.
Hope that was enjoyable. My apologies for the dopey travelogue.
