San Juan Mountains, Mountain range in Mineral and Archuleta Counties, Colorado, United States.
The San Juan Mountains stretch across more than 12,000 square miles in southern Colorado and include thirteen peaks rising above 14,000 feet (4,200 meters). This range forms part of the Rocky Mountains and shapes the landscape with steep slopes, deep valleys, and alpine meadows above the tree line.
Prospectors discovered gold and silver deposits in this mountain region during the 1860s, leading to the founding of settlements like Telluride and Silverton. Mining shaped the area until the early 20th century, when many mines closed and the towns shrank.
The name comes from Spanish explorers who named these peaks after Saint John. Today hikers and climbers visit the region to explore remote trails and stay in small mountain huts scattered across the valleys.
The mountains are accessible year-round, though many high roads close in winter due to snow. Hiking trails of varying difficulty lead through forests and open highlands, where weather can change quickly and warm clothing is necessary.
The La Garita Caldera measures about 35 miles (56 kilometers) in diameter and testifies to a massive volcanic eruption around 27 million years ago. This crater is among the largest known volcanic structures on Earth and still shapes the terrain of the western peaks.
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