August 3, 2017April 17, 2019 by William

Wildflower Photographs from the San Juan Mountains

Wildflowers in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado are at their peak between mid-July and mid-August. You can find wildflowers in the disturbed soil near roads, in high mountain valleys, and along numerous streams and waterfalls. Below is a portfolio of photographs of San Juan Mountain wildflowers.

Other photographs taken in the San Juan Mountains

Here is a list of posts containing more photographs of the San Juan Mountains of Colorado:

San Juan Mountain wildflowers portfolio

This Gentian was growing in the grassy meadow adjacent to North Clear Creek Falls, just off CO 149 between Lake City and Creede, Colorado. It was a cloudy day, so the purple-blue Gentian flower did not open up.

This Gentian was growing in the grassy meadow adjacent to North Clear Creek Falls, just off CO 149 between Lake City and Creede, Colorado. It was a cloudy day, so the purple-blue Gentian flower did not open up.

This Gaillardia was found growing in the day use area adjacent to Lake San Cristobal, near Lake City, Colorado.

This backlit Lupine was found along the Alpine Loop near Lake City, Colorado.

This ragwort grows near a cascade just off the Alpine Loop near Lake City, Colorado.

This Gaillardia was found growing in the day use area adjacent to Lake San Cristobal, near Lake City, Colorado.

This Gaillardia head and bee were found growing in the day use area adjacent to Lake San Cristobal, near Lake City, Colorado.

This Yarrow is growing along CO 149 near Slumgullion Pass. Due to the Spruce Bark Beetle infestation, wide swaths of forest on either side of the road have been cleared, creating an ideal environment for wildflowers.

This Heart-Leaf Arnica is growing along CO 149 near Slumgullion Pass. Due to the Spruce Bark Beetle infestation, wide swaths of forest on either side of the road have been cleared, creating an ideal environment for wildflowers.

Purple Fringe, or Phacelia sericea, was somewhat sparse along Stony Pass Road above treeline.

This showy Alpine Thistle grows above treeline along Stony Pass Road near Silverton, Colorado.

This showy Alpine Thistle grows above treeline along Stony Pass Road near Silverton, Colorado.

Queens Crown is a sedum with delicate pink flowers. This example was found along Stony Pass Road near Silverton, Colorado.

Alpine Mertensia looks very much like Fransican Bluebells; however, this variety grows above tree line. This large patch was found along Stony Pass Road near Silverton, Colorado.

Although it looks like harmless Queen Anne's Lace, this is a specimen of Poinson Hemlock. Notice that the stalk and what leaves you see are not hairy. If you could see to the bottom of the plant, you would see brown splotches on the stem. This example was found along Stony Pass Road near Silverton, Coilorado.

Although it looks like harmless Queen Anne's Lace, this is a specimen of Poinson Hemlock. Notice that the stalk and what leaves you see are not hairy. If you could see to the bottom of the plant, you would see brown splotches on the stem. This example was found along Stony Pass Road near Silverton, Coilorado.

Fireweed grows along an unnamed creek near the intersection of Stony Pass Road (CR3) and San Juan CR 4 near Silverton, Colorado.

The fireweed along Stony Pass Road near Silverton, Colorado, is especially brilliant in color on this cold and rainy day.

This clump of Elephants Head and Alpine Paintbrush are growing in the lee of a boulder at Stony Pass on CR 3.

Near Stony Pass on CR 3, a pica placed this bundle of wildflowers, including Queens Crown, on a rock to dry out. Once dry enough, the pica will use this bundle to line its underground nest.

Elephant Head grows in marshy alpine bogs. This specimen was found along Stony Pass Road near Silverton, Colorado.

Elephant Head grows in marshy alpine bogs. This specimen was found along Stony Pass Road near Silverton, Colorado.

Elephant Head grows in marshy alpine bogs. This specimen was found along Stony Pass Road near Silverton, Colorado.

This varigated Alpine Paintbrush was found along Stony Pass Road near Silverton, Colorado.

Queens Crown is a sedum with delicate pink flowers. This example was found along Stony Pass Road near Silverton, Colorado.

Queens Crown is a sedum with delicate pink flowers. This example was found along Stony Pass Road near Silverton, Colorado.

This musk thistle plant is growing through a rail fence along Sawpits Road near Telluride, Colorado.

Queens Crown is a sedum with delicate pink flowers. This example was found along FS 815, also called Clear Lake Road, near Silverton, Colorado.

Alpine Avens, Alpine Mertensia, Alpine Paintbrush, Bistort, ndian Paintbrush, Leafy Arnica, Leafy Bract Aster, Elephant Head, and Alpine Moretensia grow around the shores of Clear Lake, a hanging lake below Peak 13309 at the end of FS 815, located in the mountains between Ouray and Silverton, Colorado.

Alpine Avens, Alpine Mertensia, Alpine Paintbrush, Bistort, ndian Paintbrush, Leafy Arnica, Leafy Bract Aster, Elephant Head, and Alpine Moretensia grow around the shores of Clear Lake, a hanging lake below Peak 13309 at the end of FS 815, located in the mountains between Ouray and Silverton, Colorado.

Monkshood, Leafy Arnica, Alpine Avens, Queens Crown, Kings Crown, and Alpine Larkspur carpet the shore of Clear Lake, a hanging lake below Peak 13309 at the end of FS 815, located in the mountains between Ouray and Silverton, Colorado.

Kings Crown, Monkshood, Avens, and other species of wildflowers grow near Clear Lake, a hanging lake below Peak 13309 at the end of FS 815, located in the mountains between Ouray and Silverton, Colorado.

Leafy Arnica, Queens, Crown, Bistort, Monkshood, and Alpine Avens grow along the shore of Clear Lake, a hanging lake below Peak 13309 at the end of FS 815, located in the mountains between Ouray and Silverton, Colorado.

Leafy Arnica, Queens, Crown, Bistort, Monkshood, and Alpine Avens grow along the shore of Clear Lake, a hanging lake below Peak 13309 at the end of FS 815, located in the mountains between Ouray and Silverton, Colorado.

A collection of Alpine Paintbrush and Avens grow along the shore of Clear Lake, a hanging lake below Peak 13309 at the end of FS 815, located in the mountains between Ouray and Silverton, Colorado.

A collection of Alpine Paintbrush and Avens grow along the shore of Clear Lake, a hanging lake below Peak 13309 at the end of FS 815, located in the mountains between Ouray and Silverton, Colorado.

This Bistort plant stands proudly along FS 825 in the Red Mountain Mining District of Colorado.

Orange Sneezeweed and other species of wildflowers carpet US Basin on FS 825 in the Red Mountain Mining District of Colorado.

Colorado Columbine grows along Ouray County 31, near Red Mountain Creek in the Red Mountain Mining District of Colorado.

This beautiful water lily (Nuphar polysepala) is growing in an unnamed pond adjacent to the northern section of Old Lime Creek Road, which is accessible from US 550 and runs roughly parallel to it.

This Colorado Water Lily (Nuphar polysepala) is located in a beaver pond adjacent to Old Lime Creek Road.

This Fireweed plant is growing near Little Molas Lake, which is off Highway 550 between Ouray and Silverton, Colorado.

Identifying the wildflowers

To help us identify the wildflowers we photographed, we mainly used Dr. Mary Dubler’s online guide. In some cases, we simply typed a description into Google to help us with the identification.

Purchasing our photographs

You can license our photographs or purchase prints. Just use the contact form to the right and tell us what you need. We will try our best to accommodate you.

3 Replies to “Wildflower Photographs from the San Juan Mountains”

Pingback: Photogaphs of San Juan Mountain Mining Ruins near Ouray, Colorado
Pingback: Photographs of San Juan Mountain Summer Landscapes
Pingback: Photos of San Juan Mountain Fauna | William Horton Photography

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.