The twelfth day of my autumn 2023 trip to the mountain states. Today I climbed Red Mountain 3, and enjoyed the most vivid colors of San Juan Mountains from its summit.

The tenth day of my autumn 2023 trip to the mountain states. I checked out Gunnison Route in the morning, a steep trail that descended down Gunnison Canyon. In the afternoon, I drove along Million Dollar Highway to Silverton.

The nineth day of my autumn 2023 trip to the mountain states. I left Grand Junction in the morning, checked out the nearby Grand Mesa before spending the remainder of the day in the Black Canyon of Gunnison.

The eighth day of my autumn 2023 trip to the mountain states. I spent the day in Colorado National Monument, among its sheer-wall canyons and impressive butte formations.

The seventh day of my autumn 2023 trip to the mountain states. I drove from Saratoga, WY to Grand Junction, CO for the day, checking out Dinosaur National Monument along the way.

The sixth day of my autumn 2023 trip to the mountain states. I hiked Medicine Bow Peak, a prominent mountain in southern Wyoming.

The fifth day of my autumn 2023 trip to the mountain states. I left Rapid City today heading for Wyoming, watched foliage and waterfalls in Spearfish Canyon and checked out Devils Tower.

The fourth day of my autumn 2023 trip to the mountain states. I continued to focus the day on Black Hills, checked out Custer State Park's wildlife loop in the morning before a tour of Jewel Cave, and hiked Saint Elmo Peak in the afternoon.

The third day of my autumn 2023 trip to the mountain states. I focused the day on Custer State Park, hiked to Black Elk Peak, South Dakota's highest peak, in addition to checking out Needles Highway, a scenic mountain road in the park.

The second day of my autumn 2023 trip to the mountain states, I toured Badlands National Park, one that featured a unique landscape of extensive eroded buttes and pinnacles.