Elevation of Granite Peak, Colorado, USA

Out for a hike!, in the San Juan Mountains in southwestern Colorado.

Picture perfect view

Middle Mountain Road

5389 Our first view of Emerald Lake from the Emerald Lake Trail at the border of the 'No Camping' zone

Middle Mountain Road

9. Downstream view of the Piedra River near Second Box Canyon

Ready to Fly

8. Downstream view of the Piedra River near Second Box Canyon

7. View of the Piedra River from along Piedra River Trail #596

4. View of the Piedra River from along Piedra River Trail #596

5834 View from our campsite at the Pine River Campground of Peak 9777

3. View of the Piedra River from along Piedra River Trail #596

10. View of the Piedra River from along Piedra River Trail #596

5. View of the Piedra River from along Piedra River Trail #596

6. View of the Piedra River from along Piedra River Trail #596

Magical Morning

Weminuche Wilderness - Emerald Lake/Little Emerald Lake

Beauty Everywhere

3534 Clouds building up over Thunder Mountain on the Vallecito Creek Trail

3471 A meadow, Irving Peak, and Peak 13179 from the Vallecito Creek Trail

5152 We're still in the shade trying to dry out while the sun shines across the way at Moon Lake

Weminuche Wilderness - Emerald Lake Trail

5094 Raindrops on Moon Lake as we descend on the Half Moon Trail

Mountain Star-Light

5506 Little Emerald Lake and Peak 12083, an unnamed peak, and Peak 12415 - Dollar Lake is nestled up there

Weminuche Wilderness - Moon Lake Spectators

Weminuche Wilderness - Anticipating Chef Larry's trout

Weminuche Wilderness - Mr Orange

2902 Vallecito Creek

5319 Peaks 12961, 13220, and 12630 behind us as we hike down the Emerald Lake Trail

5311 We continue hiking down the Emerald Lake Trail toward the lake

5133 Moon Lake as the next big storm approaches - we grabbed our stuff and headed for the tent

5961 Vallecito Reservoir in the morning as we drive back home

5216 The trail descends steeply down the Lake Creek Canyon below Moon Lake on the Emerald Lake Trail

5276 The Emerald Lake Trail descends through high sloping meadows on the way to Emerald Lake

5088 It begins to rain as we approach Moon Lake on the Half Moon Trail

5189 Hiking down the Emerald Lake Trail just below Moon Lake

5359 Peaks 12961, 13220, 12965, 12630, and 12782 from the Emerald Lake Trail

Sky in a Lake

5796 Peak 9777 from the Pine River Trail looking out over the big meadow of the Granite Peak Ranch

5267 Peak 12710 from the upper Emerald Lake Trail

3347 Irving Peak (elevation 13218 feet) from the Vallecito Creek Trail

2789 Irving Peak in the distance as we hike up the Vallecito Creek Trail

5119 Moon Lake and the Half Moon Trail to the pass to Rock Lake heads up that valley to the right

5221 The lower waterfall on Lake Creek just below Moon Lake as we hike the Emerald Lake Trail

5436 The beautiful blue water of Emerald Lake

2646 The Vallecito Creek Trailhead and wilderness entry register

5778 Hiking the Pine River Trail along the border of the Granite Peak Ranch

5148 The day dawned with clear skies at Moon Lake

3320 Tall pines and aspens, with Irving Peak in the distance, on the Vallecito Creek Trail