Speechless… Telluride, CO

The drive to Telluride is, of course, breathtaking. No matter how you slice it, Colorado is a beautiful state.

As I get closer, my heart skips a beat. Yes, I know every place I have the privilege to visit, I find the beauty in it. However, Telluride takes me by surprise. Not the town itself. I actually think Silverton has the most charming vibe that I enjoy. It is the surrounding landscape. Even though it’s still, in a way, the same endless sea of mountains I see throughout Colorado, there’s something special here. Perhaps it’s the way the mountains flow into each other, or the waterfalls that appear in the distance. Whatever it is, I am speechless.

So add it to your list...

I saved two main hikes in my AllTrails folder for Telluride. The first is Bridal Veil Falls. The trail, as expected in Colorado, is uphill and rocky, with a bit of scrambling.

On the way, I pass two waterfalls, each cascading gracefully down sheer granite walls in its own unique way. After the second waterfall, the trail to Bridal Veil Falls gets even more challenging and rocky. Most waterfalls here are fed by melting snow, so by this time of year they aren’t as robust as they are in May or June, but still, their flow is strong and striking against the silence of the rocks behind them.

Parking in Telluride can be tricky, but somehow I find a free spot on one of the few streets that allow it. After a quick walk in town which was short-lived, since I can’t buy anything, (not even a tiny T-shirt, as I have no room to carry it!) I head to the free gondola. It takes me up the mountain and into the ski resort on the other side. The views from above are another way to be completely in awe of the surrounding landscape. Again, I am speechless. My photos barely capture what my eyes see.

The past few nights’ dinner has been tuna and crackers, which is quick and easy. Tonight I crave a warm meal, so I drive just a few blocks from the center of town to the Town Park, which has free parking and picnic tables. A warm panini is perfect, and with a bathroom nearby, makes it even better. To my delight, I also discovered $4 showers available there. Tomorrow, after my morning hike and before heading back on the open road, a well-deserved shower will be my reward.

Finding an overnight spot with a low-clearance vehicle is tricky. There are plenty of BLM areas nearby, but most require 4x4. With a quick tip from ChatGPT, I head to Mill Creek Road, just outside of town, where there’s a small trailhead parking lot. I think I might be alone there, but by 8:30 pm it is full. Clearly, it’s a popular spot to stay overnight.

Good morning, another sunny day in Colorado! Did I have a restful night? Not exactly—it’s hard to sleep on an angle when the ground isn’t flat. :)

I start early, aiming to squeeze in a hike to Bear Creek Falls, take a shower, and then a drive to the next town where grocery prices aren’t sky-high. Since Silverton, prices are through the roof. Besides, my parking reservation at Maroon Bells is coming up soon.

The Bear Creek Falls trail in the early morning belongs only to me, which is just the way I like it. It’s a wide, rocky path with an easy incline that follows the sound of the stream. Only about a mile and a half to reach the falls. That’s another reason to come to Telluride. Or maybe I’m just a sucker for waterfalls.

After considering my options for the next major town, I decided to stop in Montrose simply because it has a Walmart. 

As I leave the mountainous green Telluride, my landscape movie gets flat and brown. There are still mountains in the far distance, hugging the horizon. Mostly, I drive through farmland with plenty of cows, brown, black, oh wait, even one black and white. It is a peaceful drive… 

After laundry and a few chores, I sit in the Montrose library, catching up on writing and researching my route home for next week.

Tonight, Walmart is my little corner to call home.