San Juan Mountains, Imogene Pass, Colorado

(Click image to enlarge)

Since my first visit here in the 1980s I have considered the San Juan Mountains to be among the most beautiful and rugged in America. Situated in southwestern Colorado and northern New Mexico, the San Juan range contains 19 peaks that are over 13,000 feet (3963 meters) in elevation, 6 of which exceed 14,000 feet (4267 meters). This photograph shows the view looking east from a favorite vantage point at a little over 13,000 feet.

This is the first photograph I ever captured at this location and it is still my favorite. It was captured on Kodachrome 25 film. Although one could do much better technically with modern equipment, it would be difficult to find prettier conditions.