Hiking near Telluride

[UselessJo]

My daughter and her Bfriend are looking to do some over-night hiking before joining us in Town Park. Anyone got some good two night/three day hikes that can  recommend?

 Listening to: Bob Weir, looks like rain

[dayton]

i've not done much hiking or camping around telluride other than town park, nor am i from colorado, but...
lalagay and i have been talking about a similar idea and have run across this state park, which looks pretty cool...
Navajo Lake http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/Navajo/Pages/NavajoHome.aspx
any more cool suggestions would be great too!

 Listening to: grateful dead, etta james, and tower of power - nye 1982

[landshark]

i've not done much hiking or camping around telluride other than town park, nor am i from colorado, but...
lalagay and i have been talking about a similar idea and have run across this state park, which looks pretty cool...
Navajo Lake http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/Navajo/Pages/NavajoHome.aspx
any more cool suggestions would be great too!

There is some goooood fishin holes at Navajo. Bring your rod.

[FaceOnMars]

There's also Navajo Lake in the Lizardhead Wilderness Area (NFS) ... which can be accessed via a trail from Woods' Lake (15 minutes by car to the south on the Fall Creek Rd. Turn off) or from the Lizard Head Pass side (kilpacker trail).  The whole Lizardhead Wilderness Area is awesome & could easily include a multi-day backpacking trip.

You could also hike from Telluride -> Ophir -> camp near Trout Lake, hike up to Hope Lake and up and over the saddle to Ice Lakes & camp around there -> then make your way back via Silverton somehow.  Or just do a shorter version.

I route I've always wanted to do was to go up Jud Weibe (or start even further to the east), then essentially traverse west on various trails / jeep roads out to Hastings Mesa, then wrap back around to the east on the Dallas Trail (on the Ridgway side of the range) to either Yankee Boy Basin or Ouray -> Telluride.

In any case, I'd recommend getting a REAL topo trail map (not a free tourist version) ... you'll see there are miles and miles of trails in the region.

[landshark]

There's also Navajo Lake in the Lizardhead Wilderness Area (NFS) ... which can be accessed via a trail from Woods' Lake (15 minutes by car to the south on the Fall Creek Rd. Turn off) or from the Lizard Head Pass side (kilpacker trail).  The whole Lizardhead Wilderness Area is awesome & could easily include a multi-day backpacking trip.

You could also hike from Telluride -> Ophir -> camp near Trout Lake, hike up to Hope Lake and up and over the saddle to Ice Lakes & camp around there -> then make your way back via Silverton somehow.  Or just do a shorter version.

I route I've always wanted to do was to go up Jud Weibe (or start even further to the east), then essentially traverse west on various trails / jeep roads out to Hastings Mesa, then wrap back around to the east on the Dallas Trail (on the Ridgway side of the range) to either Yankee Boy Basin or Ouray -> Telluride.

In any case, I'd recommend getting a REAL topo trail map (not a free tourist version) ... you'll see there are miles and miles of trails in the region.

Lizardhead Pass is breathtaking. I have never seen soooo many wildflowers . Just so beautiful. You must check out this close hike to Tride. A must! Great suggestion!

[Hooch]

Hey Useless!!!  How "extreme" do they want to be?  There's a trail called "Bear Creek" that heads out south of Ouray and intersects with Engineer Pass that can be a multi day backpack trip.  I've done a few miles of it but not the whole thing.  It's pretty "uphill".  LizardHead is also a great potential area for sure.  Let me know the skill level and I'll forward you a few links via email that I've got saved.

[UselessJo]

Although they have done some overnight hiking, they have never done anything in the "real" mountains. Parts of the Appalachian trail is about the most advanced. Something challenging but also somewhere that if trouble occurs, they can get to someone for help if needed. They are not opposed to an area that they would see others everyonce in a while. Feel free to email us anytime. You should have our address in one of the old PM's.

[laughingflyinglemur]

There's a one way jeep trail that runs from 550 to Telluride that is amazing.  Years ago I was hitchhiking from Durango north.  I had all I needed for the backcountry, so while cruising the high country on 550 I decided I didn't want to go home, so I told my ride to drop me off.  I really didn't know where I was, but I started walking a jeep trail west.  It was late afternoon, and I asked a passer bye where the road headed.  The guy said Telluride.  I didn't think much of it, and I was tired, so I leaned against my pack and fell asleep under a cedar.  When I awoke the sun had set and a full moon was high enough to light the way.  Well rested, I commenced to stroll.  Unbelievable.  I am sure there are many trails off what I later learned is called Bear Pass.  With plenty of moonlight I just kept walking.  It was first light when I came to the edge of a high basin, and below what did I see?  The lights of Telluride.  Down some switchback and passed Bridle Veil Falls in time for some good breakfast grub at a local diner.  Epic.

 Listening to: RRE 1/1/11 on archive.org - sweet

[laughingflyinglemur]

To clarify...I walked from somewhere on Red Mountain pass and over Black Bear Pass.  These days there might be some jeep traffic, but probably not if you're walking in the dark. 

[FaceOnMars]

To clarify...I walked from somewhere on Red Mountain pass and over Black Bear Pass.  These days there might be some jeep traffic, but probably not if you're walking in the dark. 

LFL:  great story!

Yes, Black Bear Pass is probably one of the more dramatic "entrances" to Telluride, but I felt compelled to also mention it's probably THE most difficult jeep road in the state (or country) ... at least the section called "the stairs".   So, I would STRONGLY ADVISE AGAINST taking this route in a vehicle unless you are technically able and willing !!!!

[Hooch]

Yep, Black Bear Pass is cool and awesome and scary and all that stuff.  But wayyyy too high (in my opinion) for a "backpacking" trip.  Above treeline.  Very exposed.  No firewood.  I'll send you guys an email this weekend now that I'm getting back into the groove after the holidays.   

[UselessJo]

Cmon Hooch, we thought you always were in a groove!

[laughingflyinglemur]

Yo, Hooch.  I see you're into bacon.  Well, I've got something for you.  I got one for Christmas and it has made me an instant rock star every time I pull it out:

http://www.mcphee.com/shop/products/Bacon-Wallet.html

[Hooch]

Yo, Hooch.  I see you're into bacon.  Well, I've got something for you.  I got one for Christmas and it has made me an instant rock star every time I pull it out:

http://www.mcphee.com/shop/products/Bacon-Wallet.html

Hey there.  Awesome!  I actually was given one of those last year by one of my Telluride crew, but I have not used it yet.  So it's made you very popular amongst cashiers?  I should really put mine into use but I'm oddly attached to my 1985 nylon velcro wallet I've been carrying for 26 years.  It kind of grosses people out.

[laughingflyinglemur]

I understand.  I had an old leather wallet that around the time of the 2008 collapse got so warn I started to duct tape it.  It then became an object of humor and ridicule, but got to the point where it was all duct tape with wads of rotting leather and cloth.  Time for a bacon wallet, I guess.