Colorado - San Juan Mountains
The San Juan Mountains, located in the southern part of the Rocky Mountains, offer some of the most breathtaking scenery in the region. This rugged mountain range features deep valleys, stunning mountain lakes, serene ponds, rushing streams, majestic rivers, and impressive waterfalls. Its landscape is punctuated by several high-altitude plateaus and jagged peaks, providing a diverse backdrop for outdoor enthusiasts and photographers alike. Among the range's notable peaks are five fourteeners, with the highest being Uncompahgre Peak, soaring to 14,321 feet. Other prominent peaks include Mount Wilson, Mount Sneffels, Mount Eolus, Handies Peak, and San Luis Peak, each offering its own unique vistas and climbing challenges. The San Juan Mountains are intersected by a section of the Continental Divide, with the headwaters of the Rio Grande originating on the eastern side and the San Juan, Dolores, and Gunnison Rivers flowing from its western slopes. This geographical feature adds to the region’s dramatic landscape and ecological diversity. For landscape photographers, the San Juan Mountains are a treasure trove of photo opportunities. The fall season is particularly spectacular when the Aspen trees turn a brilliant golden yellow and the mountain peaks are dusted with fresh snow, creating a stunning contrast against the crisp blue sky. Whether capturing sweeping mountain vistas or intimate details of alpine lakes and rivers, the San Juan Mountains provide a rich canvas for stunning photographs.