Where are you planning to shoot? There are great ghost towns and high mountain 4 wheel drive roads that take you some really great remote locations. Bring water. Tripods are a must, wide angle lenses are good, most of the photos I've done there are early morning. Light is magical for about 45 minutes, on a good day, otherwise it's still good for another hour, then it gets pretty strong. Then again about an hour before sunset.
Scout your area with a compass the day before and try to get there about an hour before sunrise. Mountain sunrises are breath taking, the air is much clearer as opposed to late in the day after the dust comes up. Mid-day has such strong sun, it's usually difficult to get anything without harsh light and strong shadows, but the area has virtually predicatble afternoon thunderstorms that can open up new vistas, and they clean the air nicely as well. Look for Engineer and Cinnamon Passes above Silverton and go over the mountain if you can to Ouray. Black bear Road (Ouray to Telluride) is a one way trip on a very narrow road, not paved, no guard rails, don't go unless you like severe roads. The San Juans are very attractive and most of the 'pure' Colorado mountains are photographed here. on a quick note, I was just north of Ouray, just outside Ridgeway on my way to Telluride one eraly summer morning, before 6:00 am, and rounded a corner and found 75 or more golden Eagles lined up on consecutive fence posts with their wings out and open to dry out the morning dew. Alas, no time to stop my truck, get my camera, set up and take pictures before they were gone. But that was back in the day of film cameras, if only I had my 5D on the seat next me.... be prepared for unexpected shots, you never know what you'll find! Have fun. Good ice cream in Ouray. Make reservations early for the Durango / Silverton train, it an old narrow gauge train that is a real treat.
