Storm Over Lizard Head Pass in Pastel
by Janice Pariza
Title
Storm Over Lizard Head Pass in Pastel
Artist
Janice Pariza
Medium
Photograph - Photography Art
Description
Captured before dusk on a warm Summer evening. I traveled the San Juan Skyway on the Western Slope of Colorado at least biweekly, the scene was ever changing and never disappointing. The beauty of the San Juan Mountains is awe inspiring.
Lizard Head Pass, elevation 10,246 feet (3,123 m), is a mountain pass in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, on the border between Dolores and San Miguel counties.
It is also on the divide between the watersheds of the Dolores River and San Miguel River.
The pass is named for a prominent nearby peak that is said to look like the head of a lizard, the 12,995 ft (3,961 m) spire of Lizard Head. The pass is currently traversed by State Highway 145, about 12 miles south of the Telluride turnoff.
It was also used by the historic Rio Grande Southern Railroad until 1952. Although the grades on both sides of the pass are mild for automobile traffic, this was a significant obstacle for the railroad, and this was a factor leading to the use of the legendary Galloping Goose railcars.
The Lizard Head Pass is located above 10,000 feet and is surrounded with meadows scattered with wildflowers adjacent to spruce/fir and aspen forests with awe–inspiring backdrops of the snow covered peaks. Wildflowers of the area include Parry’s gentian (Pneumonanthe parryi), white marsh marigold (Psychrophila leptosepala), Colorado false hellebore (Veratrum tenuipetalum), bluebell bellflower (Campanula rotundifolia), and elephanthead lousewort (Pedicularis groenlandica). The San Juan Scenic Byway (Colorado Highway 145) follows just above the North Fork of the San Miguel River. It continues south on CO 145 to the top of Lizard Head Pass. There are several Forest Service roads and hiking trails that lead into spectacular viewing areas just off this scenic drive. An interpretive site and accessible restrooms are available on CO 145 at the top of Lizard Head Pass. See waterfalls in spring, wildflowers in summer, golden aspen in fall or a snowy wonderland in winter.
Lizard Head Overlook, located within a few miles of Matterhorn Campground at the top of Lizard Head Pass, serves as a rest area and trailhead for the Lizard Head Trail. An interpretive kiosk tells about the surrounding peaks and other areas of interest. The Lizard Head Wilderness Area is one of the most rugged and pristine sections of southwest Colorado. Most of the hiking trail mileage in this 41,492-acre area is near or well above timberline. There are three 14,000-ft. peaks within the area, with Mount Wilson (14,246 ft.) being one of the hardest of Colorado's "Fourteeners" to climb, requiring alpine expertise and some climbing equipment. The eastern portion of the area is well hiked, with the Navajo Lake, Lizard Head, Bilk Basin, Cross Mountain, and Woods Lake Trails crossing much of this terrain.
The best time to visit is mid-July to early August. The San Juan Skyway is a spectacular drive through the San Juan, Uncompahgre, Wilson and Sneffels Ranges. Colorado's first National Forest Scenic Byway loops through the San Juan Mountains, and has been called "The Most Beautiful Drive in America." This 236-mile route follows state-maintained highways. It winds for 236 miles through the heart of 5 million acres on the San Juan and Uncompahgre National Forests offering views of spectacular, rugged, and primitive country as well as cultural and historical sites. The entire loop takes you through Durango, Silverton, Ouray, Ridgway, Telluride, Ophir, Rico, Dolores, Cortez and Mancos.
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Prints of this art are available on canvas, metal, acrylic and gallery prints, framed or unframed, greeting cards and iPhone or Galaxy phone covers along with so many other quality items. FAA has a large selection of frames, mats and surfaces available for you to create museum quality masterpieces of your original print selections. Should you have any questions, feel free to contact me and I can give you any suggestions! Thank you!
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I hope you enjoyed this visual journey! Please return often as I upload fresh work quite often! I am grateful for your time!
Uploaded
February 16th, 2020
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Viewed 881 Times - Last Visitor from New York, NY on 03/27/2024 at 5:46 PM
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Comments (14)
Gary F Richards
Spectacular capture, lighting, shading, colors and artwork! F/L …voted for this piece in THE BEAUTIFUL PLANET PHOTO ONLY contest!
Jan Mulherin
Congratulations!! This stunning image has been selected to be featured for the week in the “Art for Ever with You” Group Home Page. You are welcome to add a preview of this featured image to the group’s discussion post titled “2020 May: Stunning Group Featured Images and Thank-you’s” for a permanent display within the group, to share this achievement with others. Also feel free to post your feature on our group Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/296998814248643/ Thank you for your participation in the group! ~Jan (May 8, 2020)
Luther Fine Art
Congratulations! Your fantastic photographic art has been chosen as a Camera Art Group feature! You are invited to archive your work in the feature archives discussion in the Camera Art Group.
Tatiana Travelways
Congratulations - Your beautiful artwork has been featured in the "Travel Art" gallery at Fine Art America! For further promotion, you can post it to the specific Travel Destinations galleries, our Facebook group and our Pinterest board - all the links are provided on our group's homepage: https://fineartamerica.com/groups/1-travel-art.html ** Want to post on our group's blog: travelartpix.com? Check the group's homepage for details!
John M Bailey
Congratulations on your feature in the Fine Art America Group "Images That Excite You!" Sharing on Pinterest Board - Images That Excite You!
Randy Rosenberger
Congratulations for having this great piece of artwork chosen to be featured in our Wisconsin Flowers and Scenery group. I am proud to be able to support and promote all artists within our group. I very much enjoyed viewing the masterfully done piece from you portfolio to show off to all other artists and to attract perspective buyers. Thanks for sharing your beautiful artwork with all FAA members. Well worthy of this recognition.