Wandering in the Weminuche

July 2010  |  San Juan Mountains, Colorado

After another fun 4th of July in Ouray, I went on a 5-day backpacking loop in the Weminuche Wilderness in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. I left from the Beartown trailhead, hiked south along the Continental Divide Trail for a couple days until reaching the area of Flint Lakes and Rock Lake. From there I headed down Rock Creek, and up the Vallecito valley back to Beartown.

Afternoon sunlight shines on the tundra around West Ute Lake. 

Afternoon sunlight shines on the tundra around West Ute Lake. 

Sunrise panorama of the Needle Mountains and Grenadiers, as seen from a high ridge east of Vallecito Creek.

Sunrise panorama of the Needle Mountains and Grenadiers, as seen from a high ridge east of Vallecito Creek.

Bluebird summer afternoon at Flint Lakes, July.

Bluebird summer afternoon at Flint Lakes, July.

Sunset clouds reflected in a side lagoon of Flint Lakes, July. 

Sunset clouds reflected in a side lagoon of Flint Lakes, July. 

Dusk reflection at Flint Lake. 

Dusk reflection at Flint Lake. 

Indian Paintbrush wildflowers, with a San Juan backdrop. 

Indian Paintbrush wildflowers, with a San Juan backdrop. 

Sunrise alpenglow light on The Guardian (13,617 ft.), looking down Rock Creek, deep in the Weminuche Wilderness. 

Sunrise alpenglow light on The Guardian (13,617 ft.), looking down Rock Creek, deep in the Weminuche Wilderness. 

Close up view of Indian Paintbrush wildflowers, July. 

Close up view of Indian Paintbrush wildflowers, July. 

One of many hidden waterfalls along the Vallecito Creek. 

One of many hidden waterfalls along the Vallecito Creek. 

A bugs-eye view of the green canopy along the forest floor. 

A bugs-eye view of the green canopy along the forest floor. 

Sunrise alpenglow on The Guardian and Mt. Silex, as seen from Vallecito Creek. 

Sunrise alpenglow on The Guardian and Mt. Silex, as seen from Vallecito Creek. 

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