Where Eagles Fly : Piedra River Pass ~ Flying Above the San Juan Mountains in the Colorado Rockies

I lensed this image of the Piedra River Pass while traversing the wilderness between Durango and Alamosa Colorado in mid winter. Shooting through an open window in sub zero temperature is quite an experience! 

Also known as El Rio De La Piedra, Parada, Pedra, Rio, and Rio Piedre, this now frozen high mountain river drains parts of Archuleta, Hinsdale, and Mineral counties along a length of almost 40 miles (64 km).  Flowing down through a series of isolated box canyons, it empties   into the San Juan River at Navajo Lake. Its name stems from the Spanish word, piedra, meaning rock. The headwaters drain from the Continental Divide in the Weminuche Wilderness.
(Research Source)  

The Piedra River area is a wonderful  place to spend your weekend hiking. With an abundance of trout and trout  lies, you can fish  all day and cover only a mile of stream. Over three dozen bird species  live along the river and marmots hide  in the rocks. 

Bear sign is common here, so it is wise to be aware and cautious. However, the East Fork of the Piedra is virtually inaccessible, flowing through a thick forest with little to no trails above Piedra  Falls, most  of the stream lies in rugged canyons in the wilderness. This river is a favorite for fly fishing enthusiasts and is known for its large population of trout; browns, rainbows, and cutbows, with many fish in the 12- to 14-inch class.  
(Research Source)     

This image is from my project "Where Eagles Fly".

About The Project

Where Eagles Fly - The American Wilderness Expedition is my personal mission to introduce people to these amazing locations that surround us. I am piloting a bush plane while exploring and filming throughout the remote back-country areas of North America to raise awareness of the 47% of the USA and 90% of Canada that remain unpopulated wilderness.

About The Author

My name is Zedekiah Morse and I'm a Bush Pilot, Photographer, Explorer and Filmmaker. I live in the Rocky Mountains and devote my time and resources to exploring as much of the world as I can by air. If you wish to watch a short film detailing how I do my work and this project, go here.

If you like what you see here upvote and resteemit so that others may experience these wondrous places.

And if you'd like these images to be part of your feed, follow me.

Thanks for your support and Yehaw!!

H2
H3
H4
3 columns
2 columns
1 column
Join the conversation now