Fourteeners of Colorado’s San Juan Mountains

A clearing storm dumps fresh snow on stately Wilson Peak, one of Colorado’s 54 “fourteeners” (peaks that rise over 14,000 feet in elevation) in the San Miguel Mountains, a sub-range of the San Juan Mountains in the state’s southwest. Wilson Peak resides in the Lizard Head Wilderness with two other fourteeners, Mount Wilson and El Diente Peak, neither of which is seen in this view.

Summer clouds drift over Wetterhorn Peak, one of Colorado’s 54 “fourteeners” (peaks that rise over 14,000 feet in elevation) in the San Juan Mountains.

Sunrise on Uncompahgre Peak, a 14,309-foot “fourteener” (peak that rises over 14,000 feet in elevation) in southwest Colorado. Uncompahgre Peak is the highest mountain in the vast San Juan Mountains complex.

Sunset light on Sunshine Peak, one of Colorado’s 54 “fourteeners” (peaks that rise over 14,000 feet in elevation), located in the San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado.

Alpenglow sunrise light strikes Windom Peak (left) and Sunlight Peak (right) in Sunlight Basin. The peaks are two of Colorado’s 54 “fourteeners” (peaks over 14,000 feet in elevation) in the Needle Mountains, a sub-range of the San Juan Mountains in southwest Colorado’s Weminuche Wilderness.

Sunset light on San Luis Peak, a remote “fourteener” (peaks over 14,000 feet in elevation) in the La Garita Mountains, a sub-range of the San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado.

Afternoon light on Redcloud Peak in the San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado.

Mount Wilson (left of center), the highest point in the San Miguel Mountains, a sub-range of the San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado, and Gladstone Peak, one of Colorado’s highest 100 peaks. Discernable in front of Gladstone Peak is Lizard Head Peak, the remnants of a volcano that provides the name of the Lizard Head Wilderness in which these mountains reside.

One of Colorado’s most beautiful mountains, being surrounded by vast aspen groves makes 14,150’ Mount Sneffels all the more picturesque in fall.

Sunset light on Mount Eolus, on of the “fourteeners” (peaks over 14,000 feet in elevation) in Colorado’s Needle Mountains, a sub-range of the San Juan Mountains in southwest Colorado. This view is from just below Overlook Point in the Weminuche Wilderness.

Handies Peak reflects in a small tarn near Cinnamon Pass in the San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado.

A waterfall cascades over cliffs along Kilpacker Creek in the Lizard Head Wilderness, with El Diente Peak (14,159’) rising in the distance.

Todd Caudle is a Colorado Springs-based photographer who has been photographing his home state for more than 30 years. He is the recipient of the Colorado Book Award for his book “14,000 Feet – A Celebration of Colorado’s Highest Mountains,” and his photos have appeared in a multitude of regional, national and international publications. More photos can be seen at www.toddcaudle.com and www.skylinepress.com.