photos by Stephen Eginoire

The San Juan Mountains have more square miles of alpine tundra than anywhere in the lower 48. And with such a short growing season (approximately 180 days), this delicate ecozone makes a most impressive effort to put forth as much life as possible before the inevitable snows. As the colorful flora peaks at dizzying levels, heres an up close view of high country gems.

White paintbrush. Rock primrose. Healthy heads of kings crown. A lush bundle of Indian paintbrush grows along a sunny slope.

 

In this week's issue...

January 25, 2024
Bagging it

State plastic bag ban is in full effect, but enforcement varies

January 26, 2024
Paper chase

The Sneer is back – and no we’re not talking about Billy Idol’s comeback tour.

January 11, 2024
High and dry

New state climate report projects continued warming, declining streamflows