Bilk Creek Falls Loop Trail

The Bilk Creek Falls Loop Trail uses segments of the Lizard Head Trail and the Wilson Mesa Trail and an old mining road on the northern edge of the Lizard Head Wilderness near Telluride in southwest Colorado. The trail head is at the south end of Sunshine Mesa Road.

Sunshine Mesa Road connects to the South Fork of the San Miguel Road and starts out straight, wide and smooth as it climbs. This lower road segment is a part of the Galloping Goose Trail that runs about 21 miles north from Lizard Head Pass and connects to the Telluride Valley Floor Bike Trail. After the point where the Galloping Goose Trail branches off and becomes a single track trail, the Sunshine Mesa Road becomes narrow, rough and twisty with a few mud holes before arriving at the trail head.

The signs at the trail head say Wilson Mesa Trail and 2 miles to the Lizard Head Trail and Bilk Creek, though practically speaking this is the trail head for the Lizard Head Trail also. The trail head elevation is about 9760 feet. About 0.8 miles along this wide and smooth segment, the Wilson Mesa Trail turns west and the old mining road continues south. I continued south on the old mining road as it is the shorter route to the Bilk Creek Falls, but a hiker can choose either route.

The old mining road stays on the east side of Bilk Creek and is mostly in deep Engelmann Spruce and Aspen forest with a few views to the flanks of Wilson Peak. Just before the mining site the trail crosses Bilk Creek. When I hiked there was a hiker arranged log and plank bridge to aid the crossing.

The mining ruins site is notable in that somehow a large red tractor trailer had been pulled in there. Quite a bit of old hardware is inside the trailer and scattered around the site. About 0.5 miles past the mining ruins site, the Bilk Creek Falls start to come into view.

The falls is a series of falls and cascades. The forest is thick and the falls has carved a steep rocky chute I didn’t see an easy way to get close for a good view. The trail switch backs up the slope and there are higher views but no close ones.

I climbed the trail until I was near the same elevation as the top of the falls, about 10,400 feet. The trail continues up into Bilk Basin and then continues on toward the base of Lizard Head Peak. I hiked for 1:50 hours before turning around.

On the return hike I took the longer Lizard Head Trail segment to complete the loop. The trail junction is at the old mining site and the Lizard Head route is clearly marked. If you took this longer route first the old mining road on the other side of the creek might not be noticed and there isn’t a sign pointing it out.

The Lizard Head part of the loop stays on the west side of Bilk Creek for about 2 miles and passes through meadow areas offering some views to the north. There is another small falls a short distance below the main falls. The Lizard Head Trail officially ends at a trail junction with the Wilson Mesa Trail and it is another 3 miles back to the Sunshine Mesa Trail Head, climbing through forest back to the old mining road.

The return crosses a level section of Bilk Creek over a foot bridge that is falling into disrepair but is still useable (but missing by 2011). There might be some beaver ponds along this section of Bilk Creek. My total hike took 4:30 hours for about 9 miles using the loop route. The minimum hike to see the Bilk Creek Falls would be about 5 miles. It was about 60 F degrees at the trail head at 10:00 AM on an early August partly cloudy day. I carried 3 liters of water but only drank 2.

Deep Creek Trail and Cornet Falls

The Deep Creek Trail travels for about 13 miles along the north side of the Telluride Valley in southwest Colorado. The east trail connection is along the western loop of the Jud Wiebe Trail. The Deep Creek Trail is part of a large trail system that offers several hiking options.

I started my hike from the free parking area on the southwest end of town and walked a few blocks through the pleasant streets of Telluride to the Jud Wiebe Trail head at the north end of Aspen Street. There doesn't appear to be any parking in the trail head area. At the trail head there is also a short trail leading to the Cornet Falls.

The Jud Wiebe Trail is a popular 2.7 mile loop back to the east. The first 0.8 miles of Jud Wiebe climbs steeply to the west and arrives at the east end connection of the Deep Creek Trail. Another 100 feet along the Deep Creek Trail there is a connection with the east end of the Sneffels Highline Trail that heads further north. It’s good to have a map of this trail system when hiking up here.

The Deep Creek Trail levels out and moves west offering high elevation views of the Telluride Valley. After about a mile it turns away from the valley and loops around the Mill Creek area eventually crossing a small bridge over a roaring plunging stream.

Along the trail there are old pipes and other artifacts from the mining era. High above Mill Creek a large waterfall is visible but the views are obscured by the thick forest. In this area the forest is Aspens, Douglas Firs and Engelmann Spruce.

Past the bridge, there is an access trail connecting to the Mill Creek Road leading back down to the valley floor. After the access trail junction, the trail begins climbing again for 2 miles to the western junction with the Sneffels Highline Trail. The trail signs indicated that the Sneffels loop is 8.2 miles back to the east connection with the Deep Creek Trail.

There are some meadow areas along this segment with great views of the mountains that lie north of the Telluride Valley. Wildflowers are moderately good along the whole length of the hike here.

I got a tip from another hiker that about 10 minutes north on the west connection of the Sneffels Trail there is a large rock outcrop giving great views in several directions. This rock outcrop appears to be a popular local destination. Besides views into Telluride Mountain Village and the mountains beyond, you can see a little into the Sneffels Basin to the north.

From this point the Deep Creek Trail continues west another 5 miles to Last Dollar Road, then another 4 miles or so along Deep Creek. It took me 2:40 hours to get to the rocky view point where I started my return back along the same route.

It took me 2:00 hours to return to the Jud Wiebe Trail Head, the return is mostly downhill. Back at the trail head, I hiked the short trail to the Cornet Falls.

There are two falls here and the higher falls is the most interesting, plunging as a narrow ribbon over the sandstone cliffs. It is possible to get under the falls. My total hike of about 11 miles took 5:30 hours. I carried two liters of water on a 70 F early July day that was partly cloudy with a few drops of scattered rain.

Bear Creek Falls Trail

The Bear Creek Falls Trail is a popular 2.2 mile climb up along Bear Creek on the south side of Telluride Town in southwest Colorado.

The Trailhead is on the south end of Pine Street and is right off of the San Miguel River Trail that scenically flows through town.

I started my hike from the free parking lot on the southwest side of town and walked for 10 or 15 minutes along the River Trail before arriving at the Bear Creek Trail Head. There is an interpretive map of the trail posted near the Trail Head that describes some points of interest. The trail climbs a little more than 1000 feet.

There were quite a few hikers on the wide trail in early June, also joggers, dog walkers, families with children and one mountain biker. I’m always impressed in Telluride by how many nice looking dogs there are here, and how well behaved they all seem to be. Not mentioned on the interpretive map is the view of the in town beaver pond that is along the River Trail.

The forest along here is mostly Aspens and Engelmann Spruce and there are mountain views in both directions. Some of the points of interest are related to the mining era, but these are mostly sites without much remaining. The remains of a flume run across the trail and there are a few cables visible here and there.

Just below the falls one of the points of interest is called The Big Rock. Among the mountains visible back to the north along the trail are Greenback Mountain and St. Sophia’s Ridge.

Just before the Bear Creek Falls there is a trail junction with the Wasatch Trail for those who want to keep going higher. The Wasatch trail is a single track trail rather than an old road. It switchbacks steeply along a side creek for about 0.5 miles then turns south, still climbing but not as steeply.

The map I had showed a possible loop route off the Wasatch Trail into Mountain Village. Otherwise, the Wasatch Trail continues toward the Ophir area.

I went about one mile up the trail before running into snow patches that were somewhat hazardous without technical equipment and met two climbers who said it got worse further up, so I turned back. I was able to get across the snow patches pictured here but I did it awkwardly and didn’t like it.

The snow patches had flowing water below them and besides the danger of skidding several hundred yards down the steep slope, there was also a danger of a snow bridge collapsing.

From my starting point it took me 1:15 to reach the Bear Creek Falls and I continued about 1 mile further in another hour. Going down took me about 1:40 hours for a total hike of nearly 4 hours for about 7.5 miles.

Bridal Veil Falls Trail at Telluride

Bridal Veil Falls is just to the east of Telluride town, in southwest Colorado. It is one of four waterfalls visible in the Telluride area, and is a popular destination.


It's possible to drive to the top of the falls with  4WD. I started my hike in the free parking at the southwest end of town and walked along the San Miguel River Trail, a strip of clear running mountain stream winding between the ski lodges, condos, and sports shops, past a beaver pond and through the town park and camp ground.


At the east end of town the river trail merges with the Idarado Legacy Trail, a segment with interpretive signs that point out the mining history of Telluride.

Past the old mill, a rough steep road, surrounded by towering peaks, climbs by switchbacks up towards the falls.

It is possible to drive through town to trailhead parking and start 1.2 miles from the base of the falls, or 1.8 miles to the top. Along the way there are also some views of Ingram Falls.

From a distance, it looks like there is a building up above the falls. What can that be, way up there? The historic markers point out that the building is a power plant, originally built in 1907 to supply power for mining operations. After a checkered history, the plant has been restored and is currently producing current.

One of the switchbacks bends back right at the base of the falls, a light mist blowing off the water tumbling about 365  feet.

It took me 2:30 hours to get up to the power plant from the west end of town, spending part of the time dodging 60 or so crazed dirt bike riders ripping down the rough road on a multi day mountain tour. At the top it is possible to continue on Black Bear Road toward Ingram Falls, or toward Blue Lake and Bridal Veil Basin.

On the return hike, I took advantage of the free summer gondola rides from Telluride Station, taking off from right along the River Trail up to Mountain Village, a Telluride suburb that doesn't fit in the the Victorian themed valley.

The gondola has a stop at Station St. Sophia, a scenic trail head with a nature center, and then descends down into the upscale Mountain Village area. The Mountain Village area has more ski lodges, condos, lifts, and sports shops, and the golf course is up there, next to a lot of nice looking houses.