A very moist storm moved across a good swath of the West this week, bringing substantial precipitation to some areas. In southwest Colorado rain and wet snow soaked the lowlands while heavy snow accumulated above around 8,000 feet. Here a snow-capped Hermosa Mountain emerges from a veil of clouds on an autumnal day. Jonathan P. Thompson photo.
Hay bales in a field near Pleasant View, Colorado, with the Bears Ears in the background. Hopefully the farmers brought the bales in before the storm arrived a couple days later. Jonathan P. Thompson photo.
Paradox Valley in Western Colorado. The line of cottonwoods just below the center of the photo reveals the path of the Dolores River, which cuts perpendicularly across the valley—thus the paradox in the name. Jonathan P. Thompson photo.
Fields near Pleasant View, Colorado, near Lowry Pueblo. The unplowed, sagebrush covered mound just right of center is likely an Ancestral Puebloan structure. Scenes like these will always make me think of Stanton Englehart paintings. Jonathan P. Thompson photo.
Milkweed. Jonathan P. Thompson photo.
Sprinkler near Pleasant View. Jonathan P. Thompson photo.
Ismay Trading Post, Colorado. Jonathan P. Thompson photo.
Autumn colors, McElmo Canyon, Colorado. Jonathan P. Thompson photo/illustration.
Hey, there! The Land Desk survives and thrives because folks like you subscribe. So if you want to support us—and get all the premium content—consider upgrading to a paid subscription. Thanks!
Beautiful! I looped back from a Comb Wash campout by way of Ismay and McElmo last Sunday. As winter consumes the mountains, I love experiencing the final throes of fall amidst the bright yellow cottonwoods.
Gorgeous photos. I really miss the four corners area.
Beautiful! I looped back from a Comb Wash campout by way of Ismay and McElmo last Sunday. As winter consumes the mountains, I love experiencing the final throes of fall amidst the bright yellow cottonwoods.