Last week we did a 7-day loop trek in and around the Needle Mountains, the rugged heart of the Weminuche Wilderness in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains. As usual, we had some crazy weather during our trip, including lots of lightning, thunder, and several stunning sunrises and sunsets. See lots more photos below!
This is the fourth time I’ve done a week-long trek in these mountains; here are some links to photo galleries previous similar treks I’ve done in the Weminuche Wilderness in August 2010, August 2008, and September 2007.
For those of you interested in knowing more details about the routes I’ve done in the Weminuche, in the spirit of exploration all I can say is get yourself some topo maps and have at it. These are wild mountains, fit for experienced backpackers who are comfortable navigating off trail by map and instincts in remote, complex, and rugged terrain. Those of you who fall into that category may agree that half the fun of these kinds of trips is the sense of exploration and discovery which is becoming ever rarer these days. If you prefer fully detailed route descriptions and guidebooks, it would be more enjoyable to stick to the trails – and believe me the Weminuche Wilderness has plenty of amazing trail hikes to last many summers!
I feel very honored to have this wilderness area in my backyard. Feeling very privileged to live in Durango!!
Yeah me too! (with Ouray, that is…)
These pictures are amazing, the backpacking up there looks great. One question, do you have to worry about bears, or other animals, while out there?
Thanks Jeff! I don’t worry about bears too much, but I DO take all the precautions I can to avoid problems. For instance, we NEVER keep food in the tent – I put all the food into smell-proof bear bags and tie them up pretty far from the tent at night. And when bushwhacking through the forest or bushes, we talk loudly, whistle, and yodel to try to avoid surprising any bears. But, actually I’ve never seen a bear in the wild yet! I’ve seen plenty in the streets of Boulder and Ouray, but so far none in the wild. I’m sure they’re out there though…
Such nice pictures there again, Jack! And I know where you’ve learnt to yodel, so if you’re anywhere close as loud as that lady in Engelberg, it’s no wonder you’ve never met a bear in the wild..
Haha! Yeah that lady made my ears ring! Well, I can’t yodel nearly as good as that… perhaps I should get some lessons. Hope you’re doing well Jonas!
I saw four bears in the Raggeds this weekend! A mama and her three cubs were grazing a wild raspberry patch. I was far enough away i could just sit and watch for a while and she was none the wiser. It was pretty cool. Then I found one on my back deck the other night too. Lots around this year I think because the berry crop is late.
Wow that’s cool! Sometimes I get paranoid when I’m devouring a raspberry patch for myself…
Crazy that you’ve never seen one in the wild yet. I have a weird fear about bears, so I’m glad you answered my curiousity!
It also looks like that mountain goat was about to come in for a head butt!
Damn, Jack. You and your fiance (congrats!) are taking some stunning trips these last few weeks. Jagged Sunrise Reflection and Chicago Basin Sunset are my picks, but the entire series is sweet. What stunning clouds over Windom and Sunlight. Any more trips planned before Fall?
Thanks Justin! We might have time for one more (shorter) backpacking trip in the next month, but my plate is full with other obligations before our big trip to South America at the end of Sept!
South America?!?! Awesome. Did you win the lottery? Where are you going in SA?
Argentina and Chile for three months! We’ll be working our way down the Andes from Mendoza/Santiago all the way to the tip of Patagonia. No lottery winnings… just been saving up money…
Spectacular as always Jack! What camera(s) do you use on these backpacking trips?
Thanks Pam! I use a Canon 5DII with the 17mm and 24mm tilt/shift lenses, and a 35-70mm Contax/Zeiss lens. I also carry a small Panasonic GF1 with 20mm pancake lens for the hiking and goat shots.
Just unbelievable.
Marilyn
Thanks Marilyn!
Amazing work, indeed, Jack!
The more I read the post, and saw the stunning photographs, the more
I was impressed with the sheer number of photographs; all unique with all kinds
of light conditions.
Glad to see that your enjoy your summer, Jack.
Me on the other hand, now look forward to autumn.
Best Wishes
Seung Kye
Thanks for your compliments, Seung Kye! I wish I could look forward to a Norwegian autumn… someday I hope to experience that! Have fun…
Whoa! Love this set of images, Jack. Congrats on a great trek and on the engagement. Sweeeeeeeet.
Thanks Jimmy! I’m headed to SD in couple weeks… we should meet up for a beer and/or fish tacos.
Beautiful photos Jack. Nothing quite like the San Juans. We are spending the summer in Salida…doesn’t compare. I miss being there.
Thanks Kay! Yes I agree… the San Juans are my favorites!
So are you a professional photographer for a living?
That’s half my business; I also build gallery websites for other photographers.
Awesome trip Jack. It looks like it is one backpacking trip after another for you this summer. I personally like the Chicago Basin Sunset and the Jagged Reflection Sunrise the two best. Thanks for sharing!
Michael
Thanks Michael! Bummer I missed you when you were out here – I think we were in the Sawtooths at the time. How was your trip in the SJ’s?
Dang, I knew I should have called you! I was just out there for 6 days myself (Silex, Leviathan and Sunlight Basins) and was thinking of you and your photography, wondering if you’d been there before–but sounds like you were there the same time! I was out there solo; would have been nice to hook up with a couple friends!
Hey Christina, that’s funny you were in there at about the same time! Too bad we missed you. How was Leviathan Basin? We were planning on going in there but I took one look at the rock-filled basin and wanted no part of that. I’m still curious to get in there though, at some point.
Jack,
Nice pictures. So where are your photos from the Sawtooth trip?
Thanks Dean! The Sawtooth photos are right here.
Hey Jack, beautiful photos and nice blog. I’ll insert your link in my own blog (if you don’t mind)
Awesome landscapes…
Thank you Alundra!
I have pictures of Korea’s mountain picture.
I saw a good picture so well.
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Be sure someday you want to see if they’re going to go traveling.
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