Hiking Profile: Wasatch Trail

MTN Town Magazine Activities, Hiking in Colorado 0

Hiking the Wasatch Trail in Telluride, Colorado

During the winter, the skiing in Bear Creek is unmatched anywhere else in Colorado, or the United States, for that matter. The same can be said about the hiking in the summer.

Branching off from the Bear Creek trail, right before Bear Creek Falls, the Wasatch Trail takes hikers and extreme mountain bikers up above the falls, across a rickety, old, wooden bridge and through a wildflower-filled valley, surrounded by some of the most memorable backcountry ski descents that Telluride has to offer.

But by far the best part of the trail, besides the scenery, is its variety. Hikers can either commit to the entire Wasatch Trail, an approximately 15-mile loop that ends at Bridal Veil Falls, or can branch off on one of the many side-trails, such as the East Fork. Heck, it’s even possible to hike up to the top of Gold Hill via “the connection,” an arduous 1.4-mile trek, before sauntering down the See Forever Trail back to the San Sofia Gondola Station.

Make sure to be on your watch, though, because Tom Chapman and the Gold Hill Development Company have security guards up in Bear Creek Basin, defending their mining claims from devious hikers and trespassers, according to reports. Although it appears like the guards are stopping people from crossing private property, the recent press just seems to be encouraging explorers to see the guards firsthand, fanny packs and all.

~Gavin, TellurideNewb.com

Story Sponsored by Vail Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery