ChrisC
Well-known member
Telluride has extensive lift served sidecountry almost Euro-like in scope.
Bear Creek is the most famous - the drainage off the backside that most drool over. Open. Alpine. Waterfalls. It's vertical is about 4000' and spits you out 5 min from Gondola/Chair8.
The problem - the terrain is a death trap with unstable snow, steepness, chutes. This problem eases in the spring. Generally it's quite good from March till May. You need to hike to the top of Gold Hill to avoid the massive cliff bands directly below the Telluride ski area boundary.
The snow ranged from chalk on the north facing chutes to ripening corn on the open faces.
An overview of Bear Creek. The highest Telluride lift is in the lower right corner (Chair 14-Gold Hill). The backcountry gate is located at the top of Gold Hill to help idiots avoid cliff bands.
Gold Hill hike. The locals are a little ahead at 13000'.
Brown towards Moab, UT
White into Bear Creek
Brother and friend
Fresh corn in Delta Bowl.
Lots of wet slides
Wedding chutes in background. Still chalky.
Canyon narrows towards the base
Monkey Bars. Rappelling over rocks with rope. A little sketchy.
Telluride celebrates the entire closing weekend. Friday starts with Main Street/Colorado Ave blocked off for a festival known as the 'Pink Flamingo Party'. I have know idea how this originated. Why not?
Town Hall before
After
Before
After
Paris Hilton's dog escaped to Telluride. Too bad it could be crushed by a beer can.
Bear Creek is the most famous - the drainage off the backside that most drool over. Open. Alpine. Waterfalls. It's vertical is about 4000' and spits you out 5 min from Gondola/Chair8.
The problem - the terrain is a death trap with unstable snow, steepness, chutes. This problem eases in the spring. Generally it's quite good from March till May. You need to hike to the top of Gold Hill to avoid the massive cliff bands directly below the Telluride ski area boundary.
The snow ranged from chalk on the north facing chutes to ripening corn on the open faces.
An overview of Bear Creek. The highest Telluride lift is in the lower right corner (Chair 14-Gold Hill). The backcountry gate is located at the top of Gold Hill to help idiots avoid cliff bands.
Gold Hill hike. The locals are a little ahead at 13000'.
Brown towards Moab, UT
White into Bear Creek
Brother and friend
Fresh corn in Delta Bowl.
Lots of wet slides
Wedding chutes in background. Still chalky.
Canyon narrows towards the base
Monkey Bars. Rappelling over rocks with rope. A little sketchy.
Telluride celebrates the entire closing weekend. Friday starts with Main Street/Colorado Ave blocked off for a festival known as the 'Pink Flamingo Party'. I have know idea how this originated. Why not?
Town Hall before
After
Before
After
Paris Hilton's dog escaped to Telluride. Too bad it could be crushed by a beer can.