Autumn Tundra

Stony Pass, sunrise, Silverton, San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Stony Pass Sunrise : Prints Available

A spectacular sunrise over Stony Pass, east of Silverton - September.

Desiring a leisurely change of pace after our recent tiring backpacking treks, Claudia and I decided to go car camping this weekend up on Stony Pass east of Silverton, Colorado.

Stony Pass Peak, Weminuche Wilderness, Grenadier Range, San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Stony Pass Peak Sunrise : Prints Available

Sunrise atop Stony Pass Peak, looking over the high rolling tundra of the northern Weminuche Wilderness towards the Grenadier Range - September.

Nearby Stony Pass Peak provided an easily-accessed wonderful vantage point over the rolling tundra of this area and the rugged Grenadier Range in the distance to the south.

Stony Pass, autumn, tundra, San Juan Mountains, Colorado, September, abstract

Stony Pass Abstract #2 : Prints Available

The contours and textures of the tundra around here make for fantastic abstract photo opportunities with a telephoto lens, especially with the golden autumn colors!

More photos below!

Stony Pass, autumn, tundra, San Juan Mountains, Colorado, September, abstract

Stony Pass Abstract #3 : Prints Available

Stony Pass, autumn, tundra, San Juan Mountains, Colorado, September, abstract

Stony Pass Abstract #4 : Prints Available

Silverton, Stony Pass, abstract, San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Stony Pass Abstract #1 : Prints Available

Highland Mary Lakes, San Juan Mountains, Colorado, September, hiking

Hiking along the tundra above Highland Mary Lakes - September

We spent the second day doing a fairly long day hike from Stony Pass to a high point above Highland Mary Lakes. Big dark clouds in the afternoon had us scurrying back to the safety of our truck!

Cunningham Gulch, Grenadier Range, San Juan Mountains, Colorado, sunset

Cunningham Gulch Sunset : Prints Available

Rich sunset light illuminates the golden autumn tundra of Cunningham Gulch, with the Grenadier Range in the background.

Camping on Stony Pass, San Juan Mountains, Colorado
Our camp spot on Stony Pass. Stony Pass Peak in the background.

Though we love backpacking and getting out into the wilderness, the truck camping sure is deluxe from time to time!

As a side note, we really enjoyed our new truck mattress from The Foam Factory – a 4″ thick “Lux High Quality Foam” mattress. The standard 39 x 75″ size fits perfectly in the Tacoma truck bed between the wheel wells, and ships with a zipped cover for under $100 bucks! A great deal, I think, considering the options, and so much more comfortable than our regular camping mattresses!

Anyhow, autumn is here, the aspens are looking good and changing color quickly, and I look forward to lots more hiking and photography in the coming weeks!

10 thoughts on “Autumn Tundra

    1. Thanks Rajeev! Yes, the first two photos above were taken with the 24mm TS-E. They are both shift-stitches (panos taken with the lens shifted up and down for the resulting square format).

  1. Wow, some beautiful light in these. Love that first shot and Stony Pass Abstracts #1 + #3. Looks like Fall is starting to settle in.

  2. Gettin’ out much lately? Hehe
    I dig ’em all and this series really compliments your wide angle work. The fall color underfoot is so underrated and you’ve captured it beautifully.

  3. Hi Jack,
    Just discovered your website. I love your photos. I used to live in Colorado now I am in Hawaii, both beautiful places. However your photos urge my soul to rediscover and explore Colorado. Thank you for your pictures. I am sure I will have a few of in my home. Aloha!

Leave a Reply to Marilyn Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.