yea the san juans are the absolute best mountains in co
starting to mentally prep for a big climb later this winter/spring if we get good snow in socal. the snow creek route up san jacinto is one of the best alpine routes in the state, and oddly out of place down here. it's also a beast.
9,500' vertical gain, in less than 5 miles
BUT, with a good weather year, you get a continuous 5,000'+ of s-tier snow for class 3-4 mountaineering
https://www.summitpost.org/snow-creek/155928