Telluride

August 2024

We camped at Ridgway State Park to keep things simple and ended up with some of the best views of the trip. Our site sat above the lake, giving us quiet mornings, cool air, and space to get the dogs moving before heading out for the day.

Blue Lake Trail was our first big hike. It rained most of the way, but we kept going. Wet boots, steady miles, and views that made the effort worth it. Afterward, we spent time in town before heading back to camp to reset.

One day was dedicated to the Million Dollar Highway. We drove through Silverton, explored nearby trails, and took our time moving through the area. Before leaving Ridgway, we paddle boarded on the lake — an easy, slow morning that balanced out the tougher hikes.

To escape the weather, we booked an Airbnb in Ridgway and used it as a base for the rest of the trip. Mornings always started the same way: long walks with the dogs before doing anything else. One of those mornings led into a Via Ferrata in Ouray — exposed, technical, and a lot of fun.

We wrapped up the trip with Ice Lake. It was a tougher hike at the end of a long week, but the views along the way and the lake at the top made it worth it.

Telluride and Ridgway reward effort. Slow starts, full days, and dogs setting the pace made the trip exactly what it needed to be.