The Lime Loop

September 2012  |  San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Over Labor Day weekend some friends joined us for a strenuous 3-day loop trek in the Weminuche Wilderness, south of the area we hiked through last week. Our route took us over a high ridgeline with spectacular views of the Needle Mountains on the other side of the valley.

Hiking into a gorgeous basin below the Needle Mountains.

Hiking into a gorgeous basin below the Needle Mountains.

Summer colors start to transition to autum colors at a remote alpine lake in the Weminuche Wilderness - September.

Summer colors start to transition to autum colors at a remote alpine lake in the Weminuche Wilderness - September.

Mist on a remote lake in the Weminuche Wilderness.

Mist on a remote lake in the Weminuche Wilderness.

Turret Peak reflects in a remote alpine lake on a gorgeous cloudy September morning.

Turret Peak reflects in a remote alpine lake on a gorgeous cloudy September morning.

The weather was a bit wacky during this trek – ominous clouds threatened rain and thunder during the days, but the rain only came during the night.

Hiking a high ridge in the Weminuche Wilderness, with Pigeon Peak behind.

Hiking a high ridge in the Weminuche Wilderness, with Pigeon Peak behind.

Our route took us over a high ridgeline with spectacular views of the Needle Mountains on the other side of the valley.

Pink granite spires tower over Chicago Basin and its surrounding fourteeners.

Pink granite spires tower over Chicago Basin and its surrounding fourteeners.

Claudia enjoys the view into a valley full of healthy green pine forests – a welcome sight in this tragic era of pine beetle...

Claudia enjoys the view into a valley full of healthy green pine forests – a welcome sight in this tragic era of pine beetle devastation in other parts of the state.

A brilliant sunset reflected in an alpine tarn on Silver Mesa.

A brilliant sunset reflected in an alpine tarn on Silver Mesa.

During this trek we hiked over three high alpine mesas, and on our second day we found a lovely paradisiacal pond to camp near.

Moonrise over our tent in the Weminuche Wilderness.

Moonrise over our tent in the Weminuche Wilderness.