The Southern Mountains-So Many Choices!
There are two main areas of the San Juan Mountains that I love for photography above the others, Ouray and Telluride, and I have dedicated a page to each.
Ouray Page
Camp Bird Mine Road leading to Yankee Boy Basin and connecting to Imogene Pass is one of my favorite roads in all of Colorado.
Telluride Page
Telluride has to be one of the most beautiful places in Colorado. The surrounding mountains remind me of pictures of the Swiss Alps-so green!
Ridgeway/Dallas Divide
How to get there:
US 550/SH 62 |
N38.1520° | W107.7485° |
| Dallas Divide (approx.) | N38.0950° | W107.8883° |
CR 5 From US 550/SH 62 at Ridgeway, drive west about .8 miles and turn south on Amelia St. You will reach CR 5 in .25 miles. Follow CR 5 west.
CR 7/East Dallas Creek Road From US 550/SH 62 at Ridgeway, drive west about 4.8 miles and turn south on CR 7.
CR 9/West Dallas Creek Road From US 550/SH 62 at Ridgeway, drive west about 6.4 miles and turn south on CR 9.
Dallas Divide Approximately 10.5 miles west of the intersection of SH 62 and US 550 at Ridgeway (look for the smaller parking lot at the top of the hill on the south side of the road past the first lot)
Photo Ops:
CR 5 This road travels through a beautiful aspen forest with good sunrise shots of Mt. Sneffels
CR 7 Near the end of this road are some nice mid morning and evening shots of a gorgeous valley at the foot of Mt. Sneffels.
CR 9 This road turns into a 4wd trail about 4.5 miles from the highway and connects with the Dallas 4wd trail. All of which are worth exploring.
Dallas Divide This is another of Colorado's most photographed locations, the split rail fence directing one's eye to Mt. Sneffels. With the right lighting conditions, early morning is probably best, this can make a spectacular photo.
Owl Creek Pass
How to get there:
US 550/CR 10 |
N38.1739° | W107.7416° |
| Owl Creek Pass | N38.1577° | W107.5624° |
| Silverjack Reservoir | N37.9578° | W107.5756° |
Cimarron Rd./US 50 |
N38.4143° | W107.5268° |
Drive two miles north of Ridgeway on SH 550 and turn east on CR 10. This is a well maintained gravel road and passable by most vehicles, although there may be a few rough spots. At mile 4 continue easterly on CR 8. You'll reach Owl Creek Pass at mile 14.7. At the pass, CR 8 becomes FR 860. 6.5 miles from the pass, turn left onto CR 861 for 0.2 of a mile and take another left on CR 858. You will reach Silverjack Reservoir in 2 miles. The road continues, changing to Cimarron Rd. at a county line, to join US 50 just east of the town of Cimarron, in about 17 miles .
Photo Ops: 
There are some nice views of the Chimney Rock and, from the Vista Point overlook, the Courthouse rock formation. Also some side trips that you may find worthwhile. You should see plenty of wildflowers in good years and several stands of aspens along the way for some good fall color.
Great Sand Dunes NP
How to get there:
Visitor's Center |
N37.7320° | W105.5133° |
| Mosca Pass Trail/SH 150 | N37.7343° | W105.5092° |
| Mosca Pass | N37.7332° | W105.4545° |
| SH 150/FR 235 Medano Pass Rd | N37.7440° | W105.5070° |
| Medano Pass | N37.8562° | W105.4330° |
From the town of Villa Grove on US 285 drive 4.3 miles south to the intersection of SH 17. Take 17 south 36.5 miles and turn east on County Lane 6. Drive 16.1 miles east to SH 150 and turn north. You will reach the park in about 7 miles.
From SH 17/US 160 in Alamosa, drive east 13.9 miles to SH 150 and turn north. You will reach the park in about 20 more miles.
Photo Ops: 
This is not your typical Colorado location! Interesting photo opportunities, though. Try dawn/early morning light. Sunset would also be good. Explore the Mosca Pass trail heading east from SH 150 or the 4wd trail that begins where SH 150 ends and heads north to Medano Pass.
Get out on the dunes. There are no trails, you may hike where you like. Try the Sand Ramp Trail beginning in the campground near the second bathroom in Loop 2. Hike north to Point of No Return. Along the trail are majestic views of the dunes. Take a short spur trail to the Dunes Overlook.
Zapata Falls is accessed from U.S. Highway 150, south of Great Sand Dunes. Between mile marker 10 and 11 is the access to Zapata Falls; the turn-off is to the east. Look for the "Zapata Falls Recreation Area" road sign. The trailhead is approximately 3.5 miles from the turn-off. Follow the unpaved road (two wheel drive vehicles should have no trouble in good weather conditions) to a parking lot and the trailhead.
The hike to the falls is .5 miles and mildly steep. Once the trail reaches the creek, you must wade into the stream, climb a small ladder, and walk through a narrow gorge to view the falls.