Colorado.

The San Juan Mountains are known for their dramatic terrain and remarkably colorful geology. Millions of years of volcanic activity and subsequent hydrothermal alteration have left portions of the range stained with iron-rich minerals, creating the distinctive rust, orange, and red tones that contrast so beautifully against the surrounding snow.

Captured during an early morning in the Mount Sneffels Wilderness, this photograph showcases that contrast across the rugged alpine landscape. The warm, earthy tones of the exposed rock stand out against lingering snowfields and the cool colors of the surrounding peaks.

It's a beautiful representation of what makes the San Juans so distinctive, and one of my favorite corners of the Colorado Rockies.