A guide to day hiking and backpacking in the Uncompahgre Wilderness in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado.

Award-winning photographer Glenn Randall dedicated seven years to climbing each of Colorado’s 54 peaks over 14,000 feet with one goal in mind—to capture the glory of sunrise from each summit. His quest required hundreds of hours of planning and preparation, then scaling the peaks in the dark while carrying a pack loaded with camera gear. Randall’s reward—and yours—is this beautiful collection of unique and dramatic images that will put you on the summit just as the sun gilds the far horizon.

Labeled Images and Stories Behind the Names of the Mountains Surrounding Ouray, Colorado

Labeled Images and Stories Behind the Names of the Mountains Surrounding Ouray, Colorado

Discover 69 wilderness areas--including seven new ones--showcasing everything from mountains to canyons, rushing rivers to desert landscapesA comprehensive guide to Colorado's wild areas Totally updated and revised Includes 74 maps and 90 photosMuch has changed in the landscape of Colorado's wilderness designations since the first edition of this book appeared in 1992. At the newly designated Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, visitors peer into the depths of this narrow canyon that drops 2,000 feet to the Gunnison River below--and some choose to follow rugged backcountry routes down to the inner canyon. A trail in Spanish Peaks Wilderness, established in 2000, leads up one of these twin sentinels that rise above the edge of the high plains. Nestled at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and standing up to 750 feet high, the dunes of the newly enlarged Great Sand Dunes National Monument and Preserve are the tallest in the Western Hemisphere. Other recent additions to Colorado's protected lands include the Castle Peak Wilderness Study Area, Bull Gulch Wilderness Study Area, San Luis Hills Wilderness Study Area, and Demaree Canyon Wilderness Area. Colorado is one of the nation's primary adventure-travel destinations, and both visitors and locals will find this book the most all-inclusive reference available to the state's wildness areas. From the state's high peaks to its spectacular canyons and deserts, Exploring Colorado's Wild Areas provides detailed information on seasons, flora and fauna, geology, history and activities.

An opinionated guide to the best hikes in one of Colorado's best hiking areas, the San Juan Mountains in southwest Colorado around the towns of Ouray, Telluride, Silverton and Lake City, Colorado. The trails in this guide, best hiked between mid-July and mid-September, appeal to day hikers who like to go high and walk 6.0 to 12.5 miles/day. Elevation gains range from 1,000 to 3,500-ft. Many of the hikes offer great intermediate turnaround points for those seeking a shorter day. All are reached in less than an hour drive from four great base camps; Ouray, Telluride, Silverton and Lake City.The first section of the guide describes the base camps, identifying local services, highlighting nearby attractions and suggesting activities for non-hiking/rainy days. The second section offers detailed trail description with ratings, elevation profiles, directions to the trailhead, maps and photographs of the recommended hikes.