Milky Way and the Grenadier Mountians

            There is no doubt in my mind that the Grenadier Mountains in SW Colorado are by far my most favorite mountains to visit, photograph, and climb. This scene, shot at 3 AM from the very far reaches of Vestal Basin, showcases the grand splendor of the range at night.

These mountains are the spine of the San Juan Mountains, and arguably, some of Colorado's most difficult to climb. In fact, Arrow Peak was once considered the hardest major mountain in Colorado to climb until an easier route was established on its northeast rib. Lt. George Marshall of the U.S.G.S. 1876 Wheeler Survey reported on the Grenadier Range: “No where in Colorado can be found such steep slopes, such shapeless crags, such rocky and impassable ravines, such generally detestable characteristics and features as are here seen. The hard metamorphic rocks are shivered along their cleavage planes for hundreds of feet, leaving their odd pinnacles, there the likeness of the shattered outspread wings of some gigantic bird, and again of the grim grinning teeth of death.” Additionally, from the summit of Mount Sneffels, Rhoda of the U.S.G.S. 1871 Hayden Survey reported: “The group of quartzite peaks stood out as boldly as ever about thirty miles to the southeast. In fact, I may state here that we have never yet seen a group from any station (and we have viewed it from all sides) without feeling both deep respect and awe for their terrible ruggedness. The fact already stated, that the storm clouds seem to hover about them before starting on their meandering ways, only served to add to our other feelings of uneasiness.”

Taken on: May 25, 2018

Tags:

Colorado

Milky Way

Night

mountains

Vestal Basin

Arrow Peak « less

Sets appears in: • Night • The San Juan Mountains of Colorado more » • Sony A7R II • Zeiss Loxia 21 « less

Stats: 7,910 views / 9 comments

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