FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

During the summer in our tiny town you can taste fabulous wines, dance to bluegrass, rock to blues, stretch into downward dog position, peruse art, watch world-class movies and documentaries, and – oh, you get the idea. There is never a shortage of arts, music or cultural activities during the summer in Telluride. Beginning with MountainFilm over Memorial Day weekend, the summer festivals continue with Telluride Jazz Celebration, Wild West Fest, Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Telluride Wine Festival, Telluride Plein Air Celebration, Telluride Yoga Festival, Nothing Festival, Mountain Village Music Festival, Telluride Chamber Music Festival, Telluride Festival of the Arts, Telluride Mushroom Festival, Telluride Film Festival and Blues & Brews Festival.

HIKING

The calm whisper of wind passing through the trees, the sweet smell of dirt and pine needles, the warm sun on your back and a quickened breath from the exercise. Can you feel it? The San Juan Mountains have some of the most glorious hiking areas on the planet, and some great weather as well. Get started early and expect a quick and cleansing rain shower in the afternoon. Plus, this town is unique in that you can start many hikes directly from town, making it incredibly easy to grab a last-minute snack for your backpack or to pop into a bar for a post-hike beer. Here are a few of the closest trails to town:

• Bear Creek Canyon – This 325-acre canyon exhibits waterfalls and stunning scenery. This easy to moderate trail is 2.5 miles one-way and starts at the south end of Pine Street.

• Bridal Veil Falls – At the very east end of town where the asphalt on Highway 145 ends, follow the dirt road 1.2 miles to the bottom of the falls, or 2.2 miles to the top. This easy to moderate trail passes a private home at the top of the falls, and does continue on to Blue and Silver Lakes should you want a longer hike.

• Cornet Falls – Only about a quarter of a mile round-trip, this easy to moderate hike through a red rock canyon filled with rushing water begins at the north end of Aspen Street and veers to the right of the falls, whereas heading left would take you to the Jud Wiebe trail.

• Jud Wiebe Trail – This steeper loop hike of 2.7 miles begins at the north end of Aspen Street before heading above town, offering views of Bridal Veil and Ingram Falls. The trail continues to Tomboy Road and back into town.

• San Miguel River Trail – This easier 2.5 mile one-way trail begins at Town Park on the east end of town and continues west beside the river and the valley floor. It offers an up-close view of flora and fauna along the valley floor, beaver ponds and the San Miguel River.

Tip: Be sure to pack a compass and map, extra water, snacks, a flashlight, a rain jacket and a hat and sunscreen.

BIKING

Pump up those tires and lube that chain because summer is the season for mountain biking. There’s plenty of terrain to climb, cruise or fly downhill.

• San Miguel River Trail – This 2.5 mile one-way biking and hiking trail cruises from Town Park to the valley floor, where you’ll pass by beavers, muskrats, prairie dogs, fish and birds if you’re not going too fast to notice.

• Ilium Road/ Ames Historic Site – Ilium Road turns off Highway 145 about five miles out of town and follows the San Miguel River to the old Ames power plant. This ghost town had a school house built in 1890 and the world’s first alternating current power plant, built by Telluride inventor L.L. Nunn. The mostly gravel road is about 8 miles one way.

• Galloping Goose Trail – Yes, the Galloping Goose is the silver bus you’ve seen flying through town, but it’s also a 17-mile trail beginning on Lizard Head Pass, meandering past Trout and Priest lakes, and then dropping into the Ilium Valley. Once reaching the river, many riders head back into town by following the trail to the Lawson Hill area about 3 miles west of town and then hop onto the paved bike path.

• Mountain Village trails – You can trade snow for dirt by starting in Mountain Village and biking on the ski area. Trails range from beginner to advanced and maps are available at the Mountain Village Information Center.

HOT AIR BALLOONS & PARAGLIDING

From town we often look up at the breathtaking peaks of the San Juan Mountains, but it’s not often we get to look down on them – especially from the basket of a hot air balloon. The first weekend of June each year, hordes of hot air balloons take to the skies during the Telluride Balloon Festival. Of course, if you’re up for more adventure, you can go tandem or solo paragliding.

CAMPING

Town Park offers camping spots near playgrounds, picnic areas, fishing ponds, a swimming pool, a skateboard ramp, and tennis, volleyball and basketball courts, ball fields and most importantly, festival grounds. This place gets packed during many of the summer festivals, so reserve your spot early by calling (888) 376-9770. Visit www.Telluride.com for more information on camping near Telluride.

RAFTING & KAYAKING

With all the snow from last winter, the rivers are sure to pack a punch of adventure and adrenaline. The plethora of local river guides will definitely show you a wild time on the San Miguel or Dolores rivers whether you’re kayaking or whitewater rafting.

FLYFISHING

You, the rollicking river and sunshine on your back as your tie your flies. Flyfishing is a peaceful way to enjoy the local rivers, and maybe a way to get dinner, too! The local guides know the best spots to catch Rainbow and Brown Trout, as well as Brookies and Cutthroats. The San Miguel River is one of the only two free-flowing rivers left in Colorado, but the Dolores and Uncompahgre rivers also house plenty of fish for patient anglers. However, if it’s lakes you’re into, Alta Lakes, Priest Lake, Silver Lake and Trout Lake are all great options.

GOLF

A day on the green was never as beautiful as when staring out at the Wilson Mountain Ranges, Lone Cone, Palmyra Peak and the Dallas Mountain Range. Telluride Golf Club’s course sits below the towering peaks at 9,300 feet. For costs or tee times, call (970) 728-2606.

Unfortunately, the days of warm sunshine are limited and amount to a relatively short summer (it isn’t rare to see a snowfall in June or September.) But Telluriders sure pack a lot into that time span in an attempt to spend every free minute outdoors and enjoying the festivals that rock the town almost every weekend. With Telluride’s sense of community and its proximity to nature and big mountains, it’s no wonder visitors have flocked here every summer and have consequently turned it into a world-class destination for music, arts and outdoor activities.