Blue Lakes Basin - August, 2017

Tim, James and I spent a couple nights in Blue Lakes Basin a couple weeks ago.  Can't think of a better place than the San Juans to spend for the last weekend of the summer!  The Sneffels Wilderness is one of the most beautiful and lush places in Colorado.  It's growing in popularity, but still a good distance from Denver so the crowds are kept down a bit in comparison.  It was very close to (maybe just past) prime time for the wildflowers.

The weather was rainy for most of the trip.  There were periods where the sky cleared, making for some awesome photo ops.  The first morning I hiked up to the middle blue lake for sunrise, which was covered with clouds.  No color to be had, but beautiful none the less.

"S4" and Middle Blue Lake

I waited here until Tim met me on the trail.  A short period of rain came and went, so we decided to head up toward Blue Lakes Pass to see how far we could go.  We had faint hopes of summiting Gilpin Peak, but soon realized the weather would foil the plan.  There were a few parties who were able to summit Sneffels that day, but we were not as motivated as they were.

Tim

We reached the pass as the clouds danced around us, lifting at times to see into Yankee Boy Basin.  After a picnic of trail mix, we headed back down. 

Gilpin Peak (left) from near the pass

Mt. Sneffels - southwest ridge route from Blue Lakes Pass

Yankee Boy Basin from Blue Lakes Pass

Upper Blue Lake

Upper Blue Lake looking up at Black Tops

Once back at the lower Blue Lake where we were camped, the sun finally came out:

Lower Blue Lake - Prints Available

Wildflowers where abundant

In the afternoon, I hiked up the hill to the east of the lake to see if I could get a shot of Sneffels with Blue Lake in the same frame.  As I was hiking up, a cantaloupe sized rock came flying down the hill from somewhere on the high peaks above.  It whizzed past me right through where I was standing only seconds ago.  That will get the heart pumping.  I didn't have a helmet or even think I'd need one. I had no idea I was anywhere near a rockfall area.  A good lesson to always bring the helmet if the terrain is steep, even below treeline.

Mt. Sneffels and Blue Lake - Prints Available

I woke again the next morning before dawn and hiked up to the same location at the middle Blue Lake.  I found a thick field of wildflowers the previous morning.  I hoped the sky would be clear enough to let some light through to the peak.  This was the shot I'd planned the whole trip around.  It was a glorious sunrise.  These sights are what make all the effort and discomfort worth it.  I praised the Lord as I sat witnessing His masterpiece.  Pictures are pretty, but never the same as the real thing.

Sunrise at Blue Lakes - Prints available

The Top 10 Most Beautiful Colorado 14ers

Colorado 14ers Challenger Point, Kit Carson Peak, Crestone Peak and Crestone Needle from the San Luis Valley

When you gaze at the Colorado Rocky Mountains, words might come to mind such as gorgeous, stunning, impressive, spectacular, or maybe majestic. There are 53 ranked peaks in the state that reach an elevation of more than 14,000 ft. above sea level known as 14ers. These famous mountains have been the obsession of outdoor enthusiasts who dream of standing on all of their summits.  Profiles of these peaks range from steep and jagged to gentle and curved. Some have classic, iconic views from easily accessible tourist locations, but these very same mountains might be hard to recognize when seen from different or unique angles.

After spending a great deal of time hiking/climbing on and around the 14ers, I've compiled a list of the ones which I believe to be the most beautiful. Obviously, this list is subjective and open to differences of opinion:

#1 Mt. Sneffels

Mt. Sneffels has to be at the top of the list. The Sneffels Range is unique from the rest of Colorado's mountains in appearance. These rugged peaks rise drastically above the aspen forests and farm fields below. The panorama from Dallas Divide Pass on Hwy 62 west of Ridgway is one of the most magnificent sights that you can drive to in the state. From here, Mt. Sneffels has a traditional triangle mountain silhouette that looks like a mountain one of my 3rd grade students might draw. I could easily spend weeks at a time photographing this area during any season of the year.




#2 Crestone Peak and Crestone Needle

The Crestones are two connected summits located in the Sangre de Cristo Range near the town of Westcliffe. They belong to a long, thin chain of tall mountains that span from the south-central part of Colorado into northern New Mexico. They are included in the backdrop seen from the Great Sand Dunes National Park and the San Luis Valley. Jagged is one word I would use to describe these peaks. In my opinion, this duo is not only near the top of the "most beautiful" list, but also at the top of the "most fun to climb" list of 14ers.




#3 The Maroon Bells

The Maroon Bells are probably the most photographed mountains in North America. The Tetons have the same claim, but I suppose there is no way to measure this statistic. Nevertheless, these two giants certainly live up to their fame. The classic postcard scene from Maroon Lake near the high-class town of Aspen contains every element that composes a great photograph: colorful hillsides of aspen groves, pristine lake reflections, and a perfect angle of view for the warm sunrise light to land on the snow-capped peaks. Just don't expect any solitude here. When I set up to take pictures of the autumn sunrise, there must have been more than 200 people lined up next to me along the shoreline tripod to tripod.

#4 Longs Peak

Longs peak is the monarch of Rocky Mountain National Park. It is the most popular of the difficult peaks to climb due to its close proximity to Denver and other major Front Range cities. It has also claimed the most lives. There are dozens of routes to the summit ranging from basic scrambles to advanced 5th class technical climbing. During an ascent of Longs, you can't help but marvel at the sheer might of the east face known as the "Diamond". Other interesting natural features include the Keyhole, the Boulder Field, the Beaver, and the Ships Prow.

#5 Wilson Peak

There is a reason Coors Brewing Company chose to use Wilson Peak as a logo for its beer cans/commercials. It is a perfect representation of the Colorado Rockies. This intimidating mountain dominates the view from the town of Telluride. Wilson Mesa and Silver Pick Road provide some of the finest perspectives of this peak.

#6 Wetterhorn Peak

Wetterhorn is another San Juan beauty located in the Uncompahgre Wilderness near Lake City. It is a neighbor to the taller, more popular Uncompahgre Peak. Wetterhorn is quite dramatic with sheer cliff walls falling off from near the summit. The landscape of the surrounding area consists of lush green tundra in the summer months which add to its beauty. This is one of those peaks that looks interesting and unique from all different aspects. 

#7 Mt. Princeton

Mt. Princeton is an awe inspiring Collegiate 14er located above the town of Buena Vista.  The Sawatch Range has the highest concentration of summits above 14,000 ft. compared to any other Colorado range.  The Arkansas River Valley is not as popular as other mountain vacation destinations because of a lack of ski resorts and a longer distance from Denver.  This makes it one of the best kept secrets for Coloradans who are into hiking, mountain biking, 4-wheeling, or whitewater rafting.  I'm surprised that this area isn't more famous as the scenery is fantastic!

#8 Capitol Peak

This one is commonly known as the most difficult of the 14ers to climb.  It is located in the Maroon Bells/Snowmass Wilderness of the Elk Range.  In Autumn, the Capitol Creek Valley lights on fire with yellow hues from the endless hillsides of changing aspens while Capitol Peak looms in the distance as the centerpiece.  It's quite a hike just to get to the base of this mountain.  Most prefer to make it a multiple day trip to summit.




#9 Pikes Peak


Pikes Peak is somewhat mild in appearance when compared to others in the list. This is the only 14er that you can drive all the way to the summit in your car (Mt. Evans comes close and can be driven almost to the summit). You can also get a train ticket to the top! Pikes Peak stands out on its own away from other peaks and is nearly visible from the Wyoming border to the north and New Mexico to the south.  The mountain is famous and inspired the song "America the Beautiful" shortly after Katharine Lee Bates stood on the summit. One of the most fascinating places to photograph Pikes is from Garden of the Gods Park in Colorado Springs. From this location, you can see huge rolling hills filled with large craggy rock formations giving way to its broad, massive summit. Like the Bells, you will not be lonely here on a summer weekend.

#10 Windom Peak

Windom Peak and the other Needle Mountain 14ers are among the most secluded.  The easiest way to access them requires a ticket on the Durango/Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Train and a 6 mile backpack with 3,000 ft. of elevation gain to reach base camp.  The area is surrounded by jagged, pointed rock spires with unlimited rock climbing opportunities.  Windom is the second (or first depending on the most recent surveys) tallest of the group.  The views of Windom Peak, Jupiter Mountain and Peak 18 from the Chicago Basin are absolutely breathtaking!





So what do you think?  Did I miss any?  There are definitely other peaks that compare to these.  Maybe I should make it a top 20 list.  Or top 30.  One thing is sure.  No matter where you choose to go in the mountains, you will find beauty there.