Telluride, Colorado...Our New Colorado Favorite?

We've explored much of Colorado during our travels, but surprisingly, had never visited the town of Telluride, Colorado.  It's now one of our favorite places.  Telluride sits in a box canyon in the southwestern portion of the state. Steep forested mountains and cliffs surround it, with Bridal Veil Falls at the head of the canyon. 

The first gold mining claim was made in the mountains above Telluride in 1875 and early settlement of what is now Telluride followed. The town itself was founded in 1878 as "Columbia", but due to confusion with a California town of the same name, was renamed Telluride in 1887, for the gold telluride minerals found in other parts of Colorado. These telluride minerals were never located near Telluride, causing the town to be named for a mineral which was never mined there. However, the area's mines for some years provided zinc, lead, copper, silver, and other gold ores.  Numerous weathered ruins of old mining operations dot the hillsides.

A FREE gondola connects the town with its companion town, Mountain Village, Colorado, high above the town, but at the base of the ski area.  Telluride and the surrounding area have been featured prominently in pop culture and are the subject of several popular songs.  It is especially known for its ski resort and slopes during the winter as well as an extensive festival schedule during the summer.  And did we mention that the gondola is completely free AND even has special cabins for pets allowing us to take Chip along for the adventures.

We arrived just in time to catch the tail end of the Telluride Film Festival and stayed through the following weekend's Telluride Balloon Festival. 



Todd and Chip hiking part of the Alpine Loop Backcountry Byway during a lunch break stop while travelling US Highway 550 between Ouray and Silverton Colorado, often called the Million Dollar Highway.  Driving the Million Dollar Highway, is perhaps one of the most breathtaking journeys you can travel by car.

STEV squeezing thru the tunnel on the Million Dollar Highway between Ouray and Silverton, Colorado.

A herd of elk roaming the valley floor as we approached Telluride, Colorado.

A late Spring view of Black Bear Pass (the zig-zag road heading up the mountain) and Bridal Veil Falls (middle right) from Telluride, Colorado.  Black Bear Pass was still closed in May due to 2 remaining snow avalanches blocking the roadway.

Part of what makes Telluride so special is it's location in a box canyon.  The historic town is surrounded by incredible mountain views on 3 sides.



There are great hiking and biking trails in every direction that don't require driving to a trailhead.

The valley floor in Telluride is forever protected from future development, preserving the natural wonder and charm of the area.



Sunset over the valley meadow which was directly next to our camping spot in a free parking lot on the edge of town.  Formal camping is available for a fee in the town park.



Views of the mountains from Mountain Village, Colorado.




Chip and Todd enjoying a hike along the Idarado Legacy Trail starting at the east end of the town of Telluride.



Chip and Shonah enjoying a ride up the FREE gondola between the towns of Telluride and Mountain Village.  We were even able to take our bikes up the gondola for FREE and enjoyed several single track routes back down to the town.



Chip and Todd enjoying some relaxation time around the fire pit at the Hotel Madeline in Mountain Village, Colorado.



Canadian Geese with young goslings in the meadow next to our camping spot in Telluride, Colorado. 



Chip and Todd biking on one of the valley floor trails in Telliuride, Colorado.

 

A herd of Elk is resident in the meadow of Telluride valley.  We enjoyed watching them on an almost daily basis.



Sunset in the sky above the town of Telluride, Colorado.



Bridal Veil Falls and the power plant high above the town of Telluride, Colorado. 




Chip and Shonah enjoying a hike up Bear Creek Pass to the top of Bridal Veil Falls and the power plant near Telluride. Colorado.

The Telluride valley view from the top of Bridal Veil Falls.



We ran across this cute little Pika on our hike up to Bridal Veil Falls.



Chip and Shonah posing for a picture during our hike on the Jud Wiebe Trail.  Since we were visiting in late spring/early summer, the still melting snow produced waterfalls almost everywhere.  The trail was named in memory of Jud Wiebe, a Forest Service recreation manager who planned the trail but passed away of cancer in 1986 before the trail was completed.  Jud's philosophy was that trails had to be easily accessible from town and this trail hit that mark.

Ham-Let, just one of the hot air balloons flying above Telluride, CO during the Telluride Balloon Festival's mass ascension.

The Wicked and Koshare the native Pueblo clown hot air balloons flying above Telluride, CO during the Telluride Balloon Festival's mass ascension.

 

A closer view of Koshare flying above Telluride, CO during the Telluride Balloon Festival's mass ascension.

 

A beautiful hot air balloon with views of the peaks above Telluride, CO during the Telluride Balloon Festival's mass ascension.



A beautiful hot air balloon flying above Telluride, CO during the Telluride Balloon Festival's mass ascension.



Beautiful hot air balloons with more views of the peaks above Telluride, CO during the Telluride Balloon Festival's mass ascension.



A group of hot air balloons coming back to earth after the mass ascension at the Telluride Balloon Festival.

Not only do the beautiful hot air balloons take flight every morning of the festival, they also light up the town's main street on Saturday night during the Telluride Balloon Festival's balloon glow.

Ham-Let all aglow on Main Street during the Telluride Balloon Festival balloon glow. 

We don't think Chip was amused when we took advantage of the "Pet" Parking options available in Telluride.  We were surprised to see several of these stations in the town, village, next to bars and restaurants and in the town park.  They come with posted rules including a maximum allowed parking time.  Telluride is a very pet friendly town.

 

Todd, Chip, and Shonah attempting a jumping photo on our hike to Bear Creek Falls near Telluride, CO.



Todd and Chip with Bear Creek Falls in the background near Telluride, CO.

 



This lucky EarthRoamer appears to be resident of Telluride since it has Colorado tags and a Telluride parking pass.  We passed by a few times, but never ran into the owners to say hello.