![Paintbrush](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Lair-of-the-Lizard/Summer-2015/i-TDh9mW2/0/L/03Aug15_13-L.jpg)
Yankee Boy Basin Part II
Welcome back. We're still on wildflower patrol high in the northern San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado. We couldn't get enough of scenic Yankee Boy Basin. Colorado's state flower, the Blue Columbine, was prolific, as was the Larkspur.
Aquilegia caerulea
Hellebore family
![Colorado State flower, Blue Columbine, Yankee Boy Basin, San Juan Mountains, Colorado](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Lair-of-the-Lizard/Summer-2015/i-fvQdFNT/0/L/03Aug15_15-L.jpg)
Larkspur
Delphinium nelsonii
Crowfoot family
![Larkspur](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Lair-of-the-Lizard/Summer-2015/i-S5WgxMg/0/L/03Aug15_12-L.jpg)
13,694-foot Gilpin Peak stands watch over upper Yankee Boy Basin.
![Gilpin Peak, Yankee Boy Basin, San Juan Mountains, Colorado](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Lair-of-the-Lizard/Summer-2015/i-DHw2D5d/0/L/03Aug15_14-L.jpg)
The final 3/4 mile of 4x4-access to upper Yankee Boy Basin is not a difficult drive. However, it is slow, steep and narrow; it is very eroded and washed-out in places; it requires descent ground clearance in areas. Longer vehicles may drag their hitches while navigating water bars and stream crossings. Lastly, people tend to park their non-clearance vehicles in small passing pullouts (common sense no longer exists).
![4x4 access road to Yankee Boy Basin, San Juan Mountains, Colorado](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Lair-of-the-Lizard/Summer-2015/i-gkLg5C8/0/L/03Aug15_16-L.jpg)
![4x4 access road to Yankee Boy Basin, San Juan Mountains, Colorado](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Lair-of-the-Lizard/Summer-2015/i-vH3MqG8/0/L/03Aug15_17-L.jpg)
The jagged, crumbly Saint Sophia Ridge tickles the sky's belly. I've been told mountain gods reside here and the Jabberwock provides their protection.
![Saint Sophia Ridge, Governor Basin, from Yankee Boy Basin, San Juan Mountains, Colorado](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Lair-of-the-Lizard/Summer-2015/i-V7hz6qz/0/L/03Aug15_18-L.jpg)
Saint Sophia Ridge rises above Governor Basin, as seen from lower Yankee Boy Basin.
![Saint Sophia Ridge, Governor Basin, from Yankee Boy Basin, San Juan Mountains, Colorado](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Lair-of-the-Lizard/Summer-2015/i-HR8svMz/0/L/03Aug15_19-L.jpg)
From lower Yankee Boy, see ya next time, Kismet (13,694 ft) and Cirque Mountain (13,686 ft). The rain started about 30 minutes later.
![Lower Yankee Boy Basin, San Juan Mountains, Colorado](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Lair-of-the-Lizard/Summer-2015/i-sR5wqZK/0/L/03Aug15_20-L.jpg)
More mountains on the docket; they'll be up soon.
Adios
Spectacular!!! I wish we could have spent a whole week there! With the bikes!!!
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