Needles High Route

Hello! Last week I did a 7-day solo hike through the Needles Range. This was a trip that I've been wanting to do for several years... I've spent countless hours examining the topo maps to figure out a good route (and Google Earth was a big help too since it's Colorado regions were updated to high-res).

This hike felt really wild... I LOVE backpacking off trail and route-finding for myself. And this was route-finding galore, especially since I wasn't sure that any of the passes were actually doable (they were!). Anyhow I got into the groove out there by myself... got pretty zenned out and had a blast taking photos everyday.

Here's one of my favorites, from just about the most remote part of the trip. During the week I was able to take advantage of the post-full-moon to hike in the pre-dawn dark to get up to lakes like this for sunrise shots.

4x5, 120mm, 2-stop hard grad, provia

Anyhow, enough blabbering... check out all my photos from the trip here!

Jack, that lightning strike photo (#784) is incredible.

great shot and mood Jack, congrats!

Jack, this is another fantastic group of photos. Beautiful colors to this shot. I also like #790, #791, and Doug is right, the lighting strike is incredible. Looks like all the planning paid off. And besides all of the great photography, sounds like you had another memorable experience.

Amazing Jack! Exactly what I expect from you!

Absolutely stunning, Jack. Well worth the trip, and thanks for sharing it with us.

Jack, you came home with some of the most amazing photos from the San Juans I've seen in a long time. Excellent work all the way 'round.

It can't get much better than this!
Well, Ok, maybe next time you can get a mountain lion to pose with the goats

Whoa. I'm speechless. This is the kind of stuff I dream about ... but I never seem to do it. I'm going to try harder now. :) Excellent photos Jack. Be proud. Thanks for sharing a taste of these special high places.

Outstanding series of photos Jack! That lightning shot is amazing!
John

Jack, that shot is insane! They're all great. I'm so jealous i could cry.

Awesome, Jack! I absolutely love the serenity and warmth of #790.

Beautiful work, Jack. That lightning shot really caught my eye. BTW, a 4x5 on a 7 day trip?!!! You must be Superman!

Jack, These get a double wow from me. The single photo on the forum post is pure beauty. As a younger and more fit fellow I took a trip from the train (up No Name creek and over to Ruby Lake). It remains one of the most memorable trips I've taken, and seeing your photos helps bring back these memories. Thanks for showing these!

Very beautiful, Jack! Great colors and lovely light. I really like the sporadic rocks in the water. The composition is very good. Love it!

Awesome, Jack! I love living vicariously through your trips! I can't wait to spend some time in this area. Your photos from there have really inspired me. Great work!

Awesome work Jack!!! What a great experience!!

John

Thanks everyone for your comments! I'm glad to hear positive remarks about #790 with the rocks in the water... that one felt like my favorite when I took it.

Jack, the morning alpenglow image is terrific. You always get a great set of images, but this one really stands out for me. Glad you had a safe journey too.

Wow Jack, you never fail to impress. I knew it was only a matter of time before we were treated to some sweet shots from down there - and you nailed it. Love the posted image in the thread, and 788, 790, 791 are also my favorites. Wait - forgot about the lightning - throw that in too.

Jack,

Congrats on pulling off such an epic solo! The purple rocks in water image is the best I've seen since......ever. I also like the rock on the beach - sort of a badwater in the rockies feel. The custom pack looks great; but C'mon! How comfortable can you be carrying 80+ lbs?

Took you long enough! Geez Jack, ever since I saw that you were home from your trip, I've been anticipating this post. Absolutely awesome!

BTW, how'd you catch that lightning strike? Possibly the best ever. Looks absolutely underwear-changing!

Dave - believe it or not, there was actually one time hiking down a long talus field when I forgot I had a pack on. Granted I was used to it by then, but still that would never happen with my old pack.

Todd - that lightning strike shot was with my little Fujifilm F30 digi camera. I saw the lightning strike just over the other side of that mountain ridge, so I framed and "half-triggered" the shutter so it was ready to go... then I just held it there for several minutes and sure enough a bolt came down right in the frame. With my *lightning* reflexes (hahahaha ) I was able to snap the shot quick enough. Oh, and btw, I was across the valley safe amongst plenty of tall trees.... otherwise that would have had to change my underwear several times that afternoon.

Man, I read through the posts and thought "Can all these photos be that great?"
They are!! I'll just echo what everybody else has said - truely amazing!

Great pics! Those are some spectacular mountains.

Nice work Jack. That is an area I'd like to backpack through as well.

Didn't think it could get any better than your "ring the bells" post, but this tops even that. The sunrise shot is my favorite. Incredible job Jack.

Nice set of images dude, how much does that pack weigh anyway?

Congratulations on successfully completing this trip. Wow, I'm impressed in a number of ways! First, the off-trail hike itself sounds extremely strenous but obviously must have been an awesome experience. Second, to undertake such a long hike in unmarked areas is inherently dangerous and takes a supreme amount of physical endurance, route finding skill and confidence. Third, the photos you gathered during your hike are gorgeous and definitely made it worth the effort put forth.

Thanks again for all your comments.

Laurent - I haven't weighed my full pack. I know my camera gear weights 20 lbs. I'd guess my pack was around 65 lbs, but really I don't know. It's heavy.

Don - Thanks for the compliments. You bring up a good point. This was the first trip that I carried an emergency GPS satellite beacon with me. If I got hurt somehow, I could hit a button that alerts a certain NOAA office (via satellite) of my distress signal along with precise GPS coordinates. Then they would alert the local search and rescue team. I know it sounds ridiculous in a way, but honestly I must admit it gave me much peace of mind to know that I had some kind of safety net in case of injury. This is the kind of place where you might not be found for a long time otherwise.

Awesome, Jack. I cant tell you how great it is to look at your photos, especially these. VERY smart to carry the GPS beacon, btw.

Wow, 65 lbs.. I was wimpering with 35 on my back on the Sierra High Camp loop

Congrats! Sounds like it was an excellent adventure. The pics are great, especially the one above.

Hey Jack, needless-to-say, the photography is amazing. I got a few questions about your trip though!!

I have done a max of 3 day solo trips, and I love them, but I never have the room for photography equipment with all the other provisions. What kind of food/cookware were using? Did you bring a bear canister? Also, I looked into that bag company, very impressive. Expensive, but seems like it could be worth it. Does their bag systems work well with your hiking AND photography equipment? Any chance of you doing a more in depth write up of your trek??!! Sounds like an INCREDIBLE trip :)

Not sure what's more impressive, the images or the trip - incredible! #793 and the self portrait are super, as well as the image above. Great work!