Autumn Backpacking in Northern Colorado

September 2017  |  Colorado

In mid-to-late September we went on a bunch of short backpacking and camping trips in various central/north mountain ranges of Colorado, including the Sawatch Range, Gore Range, Indian Peaks, and Rocky Mountain National Park. Here are my favorite photos from those hikes.

Mount Elbert, the highest mountain in Colorado, as seen from North Halfmoon Lakes below Mount Massive.

Mount Elbert, the highest mountain in Colorado, as seen from North Halfmoon Lakes below Mount Massive.

Sunset light on Mount Elbert, the highest mountain in Colorado at 14,433 ft.

Sunset light on Mount Elbert, the highest mountain in Colorado at 14,433 ft.

Stormy weather rolling in over Gore Lake - September.

Stormy weather rolling in over Gore Lake - September.

A curious mountain goat says hello.

A curious mountain goat says hello.

Mountain goats with Mount of the Holy Cross in the distance beyond.

Mountain goats with Mount of the Holy Cross in the distance beyond.

Mountain goat high in the Eagles Nest Wilderness of the Gore Range.

Mountain goat high in the Eagles Nest Wilderness of the Gore Range.

Cloudy weather in the Indian Peaks.

Cloudy weather in the Indian Peaks.

The sun shines through a gap in the clouds over a rugged peak in the Indian Peaks Wilderness.

The sun shines through a gap in the clouds over a rugged peak in the Indian Peaks Wilderness.

Sunset reflection at a remote lake in the Indian Peaks Wilderness.

Sunset reflection at a remote lake in the Indian Peaks Wilderness.

Longs Peak above golden aspens - September.

Longs Peak above golden aspens - September.

A bull elk in Moraine Park in Rocky Mountain National Park during the autumn rut.

A bull elk in Moraine Park in Rocky Mountain National Park during the autumn rut.

A bull elk and his harem in Moraine Park in Rocky Mountain National Park during the autumn rut. We spent two nights camped in...

A bull elk and his harem in Moraine Park in Rocky Mountain National Park during the autumn rut. We spent two nights camped in the Moraine Campground listening to the elk bugling all night long. Amazing!

Camping up in Indian Peaks during a September snowstorm. Though you can't see the falling snowflakes in this long exposure, it...

Camping up in Indian Peaks during a September snowstorm. Though you can't see the falling snowflakes in this long exposure, it was snowing so hard I'd wipe off the tent and by the time I got around it there would be another centimeter of powder on top again!

Lone Eagle Peak smothered in fresh snow on beautiful blue sky morning after a September snowstorm.

Lone Eagle Peak smothered in fresh snow on beautiful blue sky morning after a September snowstorm.