This is another December 2007 photo. It was taken in the opposite directions of last week’s photo.
click photo to enlarge
It seems I do not have much to say about this other than I think it is a beautiful mountain, but the name “Spud” does not quite convey its majesty, in my opinion. To go through the mountain pass in this area is something I have done once and never intend to do again. If I need to get to the other side of the mountain, I will choose an alternate route!
This is taken from Purgatory Ski Resort near Durango, Colorado. Apparently it is really called “Durango Mountain Resort,” but no one calls it that since it was “Purgatory” for years before they changed the name.
To see LOTS more terrific sky pictures or to find out how to participate in this meme, head to the SkyWatch blog.
Note about name of mountain: I can already see this is going to be a question. SOOO, first I’m not 100% sure that’s the mountain’s name. But it IS the name of one of the mountains that could be seen from where I am standing, and the expert I asked said she THOUGHT it was that one. It supposedly looks like a potato??? (WHATEVER!) I did not name it!
Potted Frog 
February 5, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Lovely photo, Louise. Perhaps the mountain got its name when someone was trapped in the pass and had to eat his last potato to stay alive. 🙂 Just kidding.
February 5, 2009 at 1:42 pm
I’ve been over mountain passes that were like purgatory so I have an idea about it although I’ve never been skiing nor wanted to.
February 5, 2009 at 1:42 pm
There must be a fascinating story behind that name!
February 5, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Funny name for such a lovely place. Happy SWF!
February 5, 2009 at 2:22 pm
What a rich blue. Definitely looks like a beautiful place to visit. Not how I would imagine purgatory.
February 5, 2009 at 2:34 pm
What beautiful snow peaked mountain. I bet the pass was circuitous and scary. Is this somewhere close to where you live?
Mine’s at http://calrat.blogspot.com
February 5, 2009 at 2:55 pm
Great mountain capture.
February 5, 2009 at 2:58 pm
I don’t see a potato Louise but I love the shot of the mountain with the cloud capping it off!
February 5, 2009 at 2:58 pm
That is stupendous photo. The blue is amazing.
February 5, 2009 at 3:03 pm
How pretty to see the wispy cloud passing in front of the spud…or whatever it is. 😉
February 5, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Well, I certainly don’t think it looks like a spud either. Regardless, it is a magnificent capture. It’s so crisp in color and texture, that it’s almost like I’m there in Purgatory with you… lol.
February 5, 2009 at 3:21 pm
Wonderful picture!Happy SWF!
February 5, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Beautiful capture, that should be on a postcard.
Cheers!
Regina In Pictures
February 5, 2009 at 3:45 pm
STUN, STUN, STUNNING!
That blue is crisp and perfect.
February 5, 2009 at 3:54 pm
Great picture, the clarity of the sky is stunning and that little whisp of cloud makes the mountain look like a steaming volcano!
February 5, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Whatever it’s name is, it’s still purdy!!
February 5, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Wonderful Skywatch, Louise! I really love the Colorado mtns! SOOOO beautiful! Thanks so much for coming by my blog and for your kind comments!
Marie
February 5, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Wonderful photo…thankyou!
It looks very similar to Rocky Mountain Retreat…except the puff of cloud has moved!!
Annie
February 5, 2009 at 4:56 pm
I don’t care what the name of that mountain is — the mountain is beautiful and you have an amazing capture with the wispy clouds and gorgeous blue sky.
February 5, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Wonderful blue! Gorgeous! And the little cloud at the top, perfect!
February 5, 2009 at 5:32 pm
WOW! What else is there to say about his one?
February 5, 2009 at 5:46 pm
It doesn’t look like a potato to me, but then, I didn’t name it. The photo is great, especially that wisp of cloud embracing the top of the mountain.
February 5, 2009 at 6:10 pm
I’m not seeing the potato, but I love the contrast of the blue sky and the beautiful white mountain! And the cloud is perfectly placed (did you plan that)! 😉
February 5, 2009 at 6:25 pm
NO matter what the name, it’s a beautiful mountain. The clouds make it look like it’s smoking, so that goes with the name Purgatory, don’t you think?
You mentioned you planned to go to Bryce this summer. I’ve been there. It’s a great place for sunset hikes amongst the pinnacles.
February 5, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Spud Mountain. What a name.
Purgatory Mountain. what a name.
Who was in charge of naming these Colorado mountains? A goof ball, maybe. Anyway it is a great photo of a super mountain against a blue sky. What more can you want from a mountain photo in the Colorado rockies? All I can think of is this:
someone in the photo like you or your loved ones.
February 5, 2009 at 7:02 pm
What an awesome photo. The cloud looks like smoke. Have a great week.
Grammy Lake of the Ozarks,
Missouri. USA
February 5, 2009 at 7:12 pm
A beautiful mountain and sky! Pergatory must have been named by a non-skier. Interesting post.
February 5, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Very beautiful scenery. I love the way the cloud is at the peak of the mountain, looked like a volcano…lol. Have a nice weekend, Louise.
February 5, 2009 at 7:54 pm
Well whatever the name is, its still a pretty mountain.
February 5, 2009 at 8:33 pm
Beautiful shot of the mountain and the sky. The shade of blue is perfect.
February 5, 2009 at 8:34 pm
Beautiful! (whatever the name! 🙂 )
Junie
February 5, 2009 at 8:52 pm
Spud? No, I can’t see the resemblance, myself! But the picture is stunning, with the crisp, clear blue sky and the mountain looking quite majestic in it’s glory. Beautiful mountain, there’s no doubt about that.
This is one place I’d love to visit!
Thanks for stopping by my SWF, I’m glad you did!
Bella 🙂
February 5, 2009 at 8:54 pm
Whatever its name is, it’s a pretty backdrop for your sky pic! Lovely! Thanks for your comment on my post.
February 5, 2009 at 8:57 pm
Oh so clear and blue and crisp and COLD! Beautiful photo and thanks for sharing. Have a great weekend. Smiles
February 5, 2009 at 8:58 pm
Thats an amazing scene. I love the snow covered trees.
February 5, 2009 at 9:26 pm
Great mountain landscape picture.
Look like an active volcano, 😉
February 5, 2009 at 9:30 pm
For a split second I thought I was viewing a volcano eruption!
Beautiful! 🙂
February 5, 2009 at 10:06 pm
What a beautiful shot! I like that cloud hovering over the tip of it. At first glance it almost looks like a volcano.
February 5, 2009 at 10:21 pm
What a beauty! Majestic.
February 5, 2009 at 10:46 pm
It´s a bit angular mountain to look like a potato, but maybe the potatos are different there:) Funny cloud hanging around it.
February 5, 2009 at 11:07 pm
What ever the name, it is a beautiful scene with snow and cloud at the top Great capture.
February 5, 2009 at 11:09 pm
i agree. spud seem to undermine its beauty. i think the better name for it is snowcapped mountain.
February 5, 2009 at 11:32 pm
whatever the name it is a beautiful sight!
February 6, 2009 at 12:23 am
I definitely love the whitish mountain coz no one has ever seen a white mountai here, 🙂 This is a unique skywatch. Thanks for sharing this one again.
February 6, 2009 at 12:51 am
Really an attractive image, Louise.
That cloud on the top of the mountain is fabulous! Great Sky Watch!
Have a nice weekend!
February 6, 2009 at 1:16 am
We were in Santa Fe and Taos, New Maxico for a special photo tour last fall. We were amazed with the beautiful scenery and the talented artisits gathering around there. From what I read and saw on your blog. You are certainly one of them. thanks for visiting our blog.
February 6, 2009 at 2:24 am
Excellent. So clear. Would be nice to be at the top of the mountain as well 🙂
Have a nice weekend
February 6, 2009 at 2:48 am
Majestic mountain! How it is being kissed by the clouds!
February 6, 2009 at 3:46 am
A beautiful Winter picture. I love the view on the white mountain with the cloud on the top. Sometimes mountains have funny names also in Switzerland.
Have a happy and sunny weekend!
Elfe
February 6, 2009 at 4:56 am
Beautiful to see thw snow covered mountain with that fluffy cloud around the top of it.
The blue colour of the sky is wonderful.
February 6, 2009 at 5:57 am
It looks beautiful especially with the little fluffy cloud nestling at the top.
February 6, 2009 at 8:10 am
wow! wonderful shot! I feel like I’m on that mountain too! 🙂
February 6, 2009 at 9:22 am
Very beautiful, Louise! I love how the cloud seems to be sitting on the mountain peak 🙂
February 6, 2009 at 9:31 am
Awesome. You traveled through that mt? Must have been an experience. (I don’t see the potato resemblance except as part of an Idaho potato but the mt is in CO, so lol!)
February 6, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Truly one of those photos I could sit and look at all day .. sadly I have to get some work done .. thank you for the mini vacation
February 6, 2009 at 1:28 pm
It’s a beauty, Louise! I think you photo says it all and it’s perfect for SWF!
February 6, 2009 at 3:30 pm
I can only imagine the terror of those passes which are much higher than our mountains. Beautiful photos.
February 6, 2009 at 3:53 pm
perfectly blue! boy howdy does it look cold!
February 6, 2009 at 7:48 pm
No matter what the name, that big white mountain against the blue sky just does it for me!
February 6, 2009 at 7:49 pm
I can’t quite wrap my brain around the “spud” issue, as I’m still working on why someone would name a resort “purgatory” 😀
Tink *~*~*
My Mobile Adventures *~*~* Presents: Six Mile Cypress Sky
February 6, 2009 at 8:13 pm
whatever its called it is pretty. I especially like the whispy cloud
February 6, 2009 at 8:36 pm
That is such a stunning photo of that mountain. Gorgeous brilliant blue skies…and a soft wispy cloud.
~Lisa
February 7, 2009 at 2:38 am
Fantastico!!!
February 7, 2009 at 4:11 am
Very lovely shot. I have skied there, many moons ago.
February 7, 2009 at 10:54 am
Another postcard perfect photo!
Loved your photo meme about your work-such cute creations!
February 7, 2009 at 8:21 pm
one of my favorite places in colorado…been there and love it.
great capture.
have a wonderful weekend louise.
February 9, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Sabbath on a Friday…..are you JEWISH? I never thought about it.
Yummy soup, but man, it sure looks heavy on the Carb side.
(I have a rule, that if your birtday falls anywhere in December, you celebrate your birthday on the day you were conceieved, not born….it only seems fair.
February 9, 2009 at 8:24 pm
That is a magnificent photo. One of these years, must get back out west to take in the scenery – I’ve lived in WA, AZ and the drama of the landscape can NOT be beat.
February 14, 2009 at 6:49 pm
Simply BEAUTIFUL photograph!
Hugs and blessings,
April 15, 2009 at 10:20 am
I read your posts for quite a long time and should tell you that your articles always prove to be of a high value and quality for readers.
February 26, 2010 at 1:20 am
The mountains actual name is spud mountain. and the reason it is named spud is because an old cattle cook thought it looked like a spud or at least that’s the story i’ve heard =) and during the summer it does look like a potato =)
November 18, 2010 at 3:56 am
it is always easy to find good ski resorts online, but most of them are expensive but they are great anyway ‘;”