This was the first spider I'd seen with those white markings so I've nothing local to compare it to. We were hiking only about half a mile from the house. Usually I try to get pictures from different angles but she was near the bottom and on the back side of a t-post so positioning the camera was tricky enough. I'll have to keep my eyes peeled next year.

Thanks for the info!

Okay, sounds good! It's a great shot to begin with, so the fact it was tricky to get makes it even better. :-)
Also, I didn't notice it the first time, but you got the egg sac too. No wonder she was looking so shriveled (she's perched over it; it's the fuzzy-looking thing that looks like a cocoon). If you remember where it is, you might be able to see the spiderlings when they emerge in the spring. They usually stay huddled together for a few days before they disperse.
I just randomly stumbled on your image because someone linked to it on facebook.

I've always enjoyed photographing bugs and have shared quite a few on Facebook. I depend on bugguide.net to let my friends know what it is they are looking at. I think a lot of people discover that seeing a bug close up can change their mind from icky to interesting or even beautiful. :-)

I think "exposure therapy" is great or bug-phobes. :-)