A young limber pine sits above 10,000 feet. Older trees bear similarities to bristlecone pines.

The Crestones rest to the northwest of Silver Mountain.

Silver Mountain's rocky ridges offer fine views of the Crestones.

The Crestones, with several fourteners, rise beyond Big and Little Sheep mountains.

The Crestones, with several fourteners, rise beyond Big and Little Sheep mountains.

Volcanic dikes east of Bear Springs trail head.

Numerous volcanic dikes emanate from Silver Mountain.

Foothills give way to the eastern plains of Colorado.

Greenhorn Mountain.

Mount Lindsey (left) - part of the Blanca group.

Snags guard the ridge to Peak 10,191.

Breccia

A different type of breccia.

Igneous rock. The white areas are feldspar crystals.

Igneous rock. Small holes are possibly caused by gas bubbles.

Breccia

A snag frames the view toward the Wet Mountains.

East and West Spanish Peaks.

The Spanish Peaks are visible through the remains of an old forest fire high on Silver Mountain.

East and West Spanish Peaks.

Route finding through the scrub oak.

West Spanish Peak as seen from high on Silver Mountain.

West Spanish Peak as seen from high on Silver Mountain.

Rocky Mountain Bighorn ewes grazing beneath Silver Mountain.

Rocky Mountain Bighorn rams beneath one of Silver Mountain's dikes.

Rocky Mountain Bighorn rams beneath one of Silver Mountain's dikes.

Mt. Maestas on the left with Silver Mountain on the right as seen from West Spanish Peak.

A lenticular cloud forms above Mt. Maestas and Silver Mountain.

A lenticular cloud forms above Mt. Maestas and Silver Mountain.

Silver Mountain viewed from the east. The true summit is the peak on the left.

Bear Springs trailhead. The true summit sits behind the peak on the left.

Detail from La Veta 7.5-minute map showing route up Silver Mountain.

Detail of La Veta 7.5-minute map showing Silver Mountain's three summits.