Mountain Photography

by Jack Brauer

Trip Reports: West Needles Winter Camping - March 2008

Lured by a full moon and a forecast of clear skies, this last weekend I went backpacking for two nights in the West Needle Mountains in the San Juans near Silverton, Colorado. This area is incredibly photogenic; from my campsite on a 12,200 ft ridgeline, I enjoyed broad vistas of the Needle Mountains, the West Needles, and all the peaks of the Molas Pass area.

Read more about my trip on MountainPhotographer.com.

After hiking about 5 miles on my splitboard, I made it to my destination - a high ridgeline with views in all directions. I was pleased to find a single clump of trees which provided a nice windbreak.

This was a 30-second exposure under a full moon. Photo © by Jack Brauer.
Fine Prints available.

Winter sunset behind Engineer Mountain, as seen from the West Needles in March. Photo © by Jack Brauer.
Fine Prints available.

Sastrugi and North Twilight Peak - March. Photo © by Jack Brauer.
Fine Prints available.

Dawn breaks behind the Needle Mountains, as seen from 13,000 feet up in the West Needles - March. Photo © by Jack Brauer.
Fine Prints available.

Sunrise light on North Twilight Peak, West Needle Mountains, as seen from 13,000 feet - March. Photo © by Jack Brauer.
Fine Prints available.