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From
Town
Bear
Creek Canyon
Easy to Moderate (Approximately 4 miles round trip from town to falls)-
This is an awesome hike, a favorite of locals and visitors
alike, because Bear Creek's amazing serenity and beauty makes you feel
like you're miles away from civilization. It's 2 miles one way to the waterfalls
with a 1,040 foot elevation gain within this 325-acre mountain canyon that
is secured for the public by the Telluride Land Trust. Enter the trail
from the end of South Pine Street and follow Bear Creek up the canyon and
enjoy views of jagged peaks on your way to the waterfalls. About .25 miles
before the falls, watch for the sign on your right announcing the trailhead
to the rugged and challenging Wasatch Trail.
Jud Wiebe Trail
Moderate - Great views all the way on the
traditional locals' hike with a 2.7 mile loop and 1,200 foot elevation
gain. Enter at the north end of Aspen Street, then turn left and cross
the bridge over Cornet Creek. Jud Wiebe loops above town with views
of Bridal Veil and Ingram Falls, town, and the ski area, then continues
to Tomboy Road and back to town. (Locals' warm-up: Skip the bridge
and go straight on the Cornet Creek trail. This is only 1/4 mile round
trip and can be steep at times, winding along a gorgeous creek with
a surprise ending at lovely waterfalls surrounded by red rock). You
can also access the Sneffels Highline Trail along the Jud Wiebe Trail.
Bridal
Veil Falls
Moderate - These stunning waterfalls,
over 300 feet in length, entice many people to hike, bike, or four wheel
drive up the road. From Pandora Mill to Bridal Veil waterfalls and the
power plant, it's 1.8 miles and a 1,200 foot elevation gain. Or you can
hike or bike to the bottom of the falls and get energized in the midst
of the mist. Directions: Go east through town on Colorado Avenue toward
the mountain, pass the old Pandora Mine on your left, and follow the
road marked County Road. Continue on this dirt road and go up the switchbacks
for 1.2 miles to the bottom of falls, or go the extra .6 miles to the
top of the falls. You don't have to stop here, though. Beyond the privately
owned historic power plant, the awesome Bridal Veil Basin, Blue Lake,
and Silver Lake await you. Note: If you drive, park your car at the base
of the falls and hike up. Parking is not available at the top.
Tomboy Road,
Town of Tomboy, Imogene Pass & Ouray
Moderate to Difficult -Be prepared
for the rugged five-mile road to the fascinating town of Tomboy (2,650
foot elevation gain) by taking plenty of water, food or snacks, and warm
clothing. It's 7 miles to Imogene Pass (at 13,114 feet, it's a 4,350
elevation gain) and 18 miles total to Ouray. Start in town at the north
end of Oak Street and turn right on the dirt road (Tomboy Road). Continue
past waterfalls and through a tunnel to arrive at the mining camp of
Tomboy. The road continuing on to the pass is a steep grade with loose
rock and, after that, a steeper downhill ride to Ouray. Several paths
at the top of the pass lead to peaks. You can take a side trip by making
a left turn (marked) and explore the raw beauty of Yankee Boy Basin;
continuing toward Ouray, you'll pass by Camp Bird, historically one of
the richest mines in the country. If you are going straight to Ouray,
expect this trip to take at least two hours but, if you want to explore,
expect to spend a good part of the day.
San Miguel River Trail
Easy - This is a refreshing, scenic walk right along
the river, a great warm up trail or leisurely walk, perfect for those
who want to acclimatize to the altitude. Recently expanded, it's about
2.75 miles one way with a 170-foot elevation gain. Begin at the east
end of town at East Colorado and Columbine Street, past Town Park. All
along the river, you can access side streets as it continues west towards
the valley floor, ending at Boomerang Road. (Do not enter the valley
floor as it is closed to public use).
Sneffels Highline Trail
Difficult - If you're hearing the call of the wild,
this is your answer for robust backcountry challenge and endurance. Follow
the Jud Wiebe trail and at .5 miles take the path to the left that crosses
Butcher Creek. Turn right at the sign post and climb north. This is a
13-mile loop with a 3,600 foot elevation gain. The trail will lead you
above timberline to Pack Basin, over a saddle and into Mill Creek Basin.
Continue down to Mill Creek, turn left to access the Waterline trail
(over bridge), and return to the Jud Wiebe and back to town.
Telluride Ski
Area
Moderate - A variety of superb backcountry
trails on the ski mountain are accessed via the free gondola, which runs
continuously from 7 a.m. to midnight every day beginning May 23 until
off-season. Hike or mountain bike beginning at mid-station at Station
St. Sophia, or begin your hike from Telluride or Mountain Village up
to Station St. Sophia - a respectable 1,600 foot elevation gain from
Telluride, and about half that elevation gain from Mt. Village. Call
the ski area at 728-7538 for more information.
Blue Lake
Access from Bridal Vail Falls. Moderate to Difficult. Approximately 4
hours round trip covering 5 1/4 miles with an elevation gain of 2,000
feet. This is a spectacular wildflower hike which ends above tree-line.
Area Trails
Alta Lakes
Easy to Moderate - The 1870s mining town
of Alta is on the National Register of Historic Places and Alta Lakes are
picture postcard beautiful. It is 5 miles one way with a 1,700-foot elevation
gain. Directions: go six miles south of Telluride on Hwy. 145 (toward Cortez)
to Alta Lakes Road. To reach the ghost town of Alta, stay on the main road
for 4 miles. To get to the lakes, turn right at the town and follow the
signs to Alta Lakes.
Black Bear Pass
Difficult - Black Bear Pass goes from
Telluride over Red Mountain
Pass. It is 3.6 miles one way from Bridal Veil intersection to Red
Mountain Pass, a
2,520-foot elevation gain. Please note that this is a popular Jeeping road
when hiking be extra careful. Access: Past Bridal Veil Falls the road begins
makes a steep asent up to the pass
alongside the 125-foot Ingram Falls and then desends over Red Mountain
Pass.
Deep Creek
Easy - This is 6.5 miles one way with a 1,672-foot elevation
gain. Access Deep Creek from the Jud Wiebe trailhead at N. Aspen St.
or Mill Creek. Cross the bridge over Mill Creek and turn right on the
Deep Creek Trail, which continues to Last Dollar Road. The trail has
many forks, so a map/guide is recommended. Bikers can make an 18-mile
loop. Follow the trail to Last Dollar Rd., turn left and climb to the
intersection with the paved airport road. Ride down to Hwy. 145, then
east into town.
Galloping Goose Trail
Easy hiking - A long and rewarding bike or hiking trip
that is 20.6 miles one way with a 1,580-foot elevation gain. Take the
Bike Path west from town and go up to Lawson Hill entrance, follow single
track down old railroad grade to Ilium Valley. Make a sharp right turn
at the road. Turn left over bridge to Sunshine Mesa. At first switchback,
continue straight onto the old railroad grade again. Trail continues
above Ames to Ophir Loop (Hwy. 145). Loop can be completed by taking
South Fork Rd. back to Ilium single track and Lawson Hill or continue
south (under the highway) to Trout Lake and Lizard Head Pass.
Ophir Pass
Moderate - If Imogene Pass just whets
your appetite for more four-wheel excitement, try spectacular Ophir Pass.
It's six miles one way from Hwy. 145 to top of the pass with a 2,480-foot
elevation gain. From Telluride, drive south on Hwy. 145 for 8 miles.
Turn left onto a dirt road (watch for "post office" sign) and
proceed through "old" Ophir to the pass road. Ophir Pass climbs
above timberline over a scree field to the 12,789-foot summit. Return
via the same route, or continue down to Red Mountain Pass and make a
long loop back to town via Ouray. 4WD required.
Wilson Mesa Trail
Moderate - If you want awesome scenery mixed
with solitude (and fabulous colors in the fall), take this trail which
is 13 miles one way east from Woods Lake to Sunshine Mesa with a 3,700-foot
elevation gain. To access: Drive 14 miles west of Telluride on Hwy. 145.
Turn left on Fall Creek Road and follow for 7.75 miles to the trailhead.
Park here or continue another .25 miles to Woods Lake and park there.
Or access from the top of Sunshine Mesa and the trailhead to Bilk Creek
heading west to Woods Lake.
Lizard Head Wilderness Area
Varies - This area boasts some of the Southwest's most rugged and pristine
mountains, with three 14,000 foot peaks and ideal high-altitude hiking.
No vehicles
or mountain bikes are allowed in wilderness areas. Call the U.S. Forest
Service for further information about camping. 327-4261.
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