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.