It was a relaxing 20 mile day from Placerville to Telluride since I traveled 120 miles the previous day. I left the hostel at around 10:30 AM after enjoying a free breakfast. For my entire hostel experience, it was just $50. Great deal and I would highly recommend The Bivvi for anyone heading to the Telluride area. If not for the prices, at least the people!
Telluride is beautiful. I don’t know what fancy words I could use to put it better. It was only made better by the fact I had a host there for the night, DeAnne and Dave. They said I could just leave my stuff at their house before I head to town. As I rode towards their house, I find a bunch of small single-track trails and one takes me right to their apartment. On the way I pass by a school that has a half pipe as a part of their play structure. Already, there’s a distinct vibe to Telluride.
It turns out that DeAnne works at a bakery, so of course I head straight there. However, a music festival is going on in Telluride, so the place is packed and I didn’t get to meet her at my initial visit. Good thing it would be far from my last visit to The Butcher and Baker.
From there I ride to the very end of the valley where I figure there must be a trail. Sure enough, there’s a trail to Bridal Veil falls. There are a bunch of signs posted saying the trail is advanced, which just makes me more excited to climb it!
It is very steep and mostly rock. I also only have a pair of sandals, as those are my only shoes other than my cycling shoes. However, I don’t find the climb that bad and over the river crossing, the sandals were very useful!
The trail leads not only to Bridal Veil, but a couple of other waterfalls below it. I took a nap on a rock near the first one, being tired from the previous day.
And these are only the previews to the main event! Because of the rain yesterday, I brought my rain jacket and it’s a good thing I did because Bridal Veil itself blasted everyone at the bottom with spray.
If you look closely at the upper left of the image you’ll see a power plant that was made by Tesla apparently. It‘s a sight to behold perched on the cliff as it is. Reminds me of the house from Up!
I had to get up there. On I went past the waterfalls and up the switchbacks that rise along the valley wall. At the end of one switchback, I find an old mine.
I also get a great view of the valley below!
And I eventually make progress up the wall and make it above the power plant!
When I do make it above the falls, I check the time and realize it’s 3:00 PM. I'm planning to meet several people for dinner, so I have to hike back quickly to not make them wait! The hike back was a lot of fun, but especially going down, my sandals dig into my feet between the toes and have also caused a large blister on the bottom of my left foot. But I make it back to my bike and then back to town where I finally meet up with my hosts and Claudia, who had arrived earlier that day. She had been invited to stay with them as well.
DeAnne’s parents were also in town, so it was 6 of us in their apartment. A little cramped, but a lot of fun! DeAnne had also brought back some day old cookies from her bakery for us. They were delicious! Because of the tight space, Claudia and I would stay on the deck and with no rain in the forecast, it worked out well!
DeAnne had a friend who worked with the ground responsible for controlling safe access over the passes out of the valley. I had previously heard that the pass I had planned to take was closed, but according to her friend, on a bike I should be able to make it over. That was a big relief as Imogene pass is the second highest pass in the USA you can get a vehicle over and was going to be a highlight of my trip!
In good spirits, we soon head to The High Pie. Tito picked Claudia and I up on the way into town. We ended up waiting for our food for a long time. Eventually we learn that our food was given to another table. However, we are compensated by twice the pizza we ordered and all the pizza was free. A good deal for just an hour and a half wait! The pizza was delicious too!
Now, pretty tired, we returned home for the night. DeAnne offered to allow us another night in Telluride and having such a great time that day, I eagerly accepted. Dave gets back late from his work setting up for the AIDS benefit fashion show, and we talk for a bit before bed. I’m excited for what else Telluride has to offer tomorrow!
Great photos! Your amazing adventure continues!