SAN MIGUEL COUNTY OPENS NEW BRIDAL VEIL CREEK TRAIL TO THE PUBLIC
(SAN MIGUEL COUNTY, CO 12/6/19) - San Miguel County residents and visitors have a new trail to explore and enjoy, the Bridal Veil Creek Trail. The trail's alignment traverses San Miguel County property as well as property owned by the ldarado Mining Company, which has granted the County a recreational trail easement.
"We're extremely pleased that the collaborative efforts of ldarado, San Miguel County, the Telluride Mountain Club and the Town of Telluride with the able assistance of the Southwest Conservation Corps have come to fruition with the Bridal Veil Creek Trail," San Miguel County BOCC Chair Kris Holstrom said. "Trails are a high priority for us. This one keeps hikers and motorized vehicles separated in a heavily used area. We appreciate the cooperation that made this possible, and hope folks will enjoy the new connection."
"ldarado is excited to help bring this new trail to the beautiful Pandora box canyon," said Devon Horntvedt, ldarado Mining Company's Director of Colorado Legacy Site Management Sustainability and External Relations. "Our hope is that the trail provides a new and safer recreational experience for hikers seeking to take in the majesty of Bridal Veil Falls. We're proud of our partnerships with San Miguel County and the Town of Telluride, and we look forward to future collaboration on improvement opportunities throughout the San Miguel Valley."
The Telluride Mountain Club was also a key player in this project, as they handled the initial negotiations with the ldarado Mining Club for the recreational trail easement, which then transferred over to the County. The new Bridal Veil Creek Trail was identified as a "priority trail" by the Telluride Mountain Club in their Trails Sustainability Plan.
Primitive and steep, the new .85-mile Bridal Veil Creek Trail crosses scenic, rugged, natural, terrain and includes a stream crossing, San Miguel County Parks & Open Space Director Janet Kask said. "It allows hikers to meander through the wooded area safely and feel completely separated from vehicular traffic on Black Bear Pass Road/K69. This new trail starts at the Valley View parking area and links with the Bridal Veil Trail to take hikers all the way up to the base of the falls along a safe route."
A future bridge will cross Ingram Creek, and will be located .3 miles up from the Valley View parking area trailhead. The proposed location of the bridge will divert slightly from the current trail alignment.
"The physical challenge of locating a bridge crossing over two very large boulders will ultimately provide for a unique bridge design (steel and cables) and concept (estimated 42' span), to offer stellar views and an incredible hiking experience," Kask said.
The Town of Telluride offered to pay for the new trail and for the cost of accompanying environmental studies and worked with San Miguel County to determine the trail's alignment.
The Bridal Veil Creek Trail was constructed by workers from the Southwest Conservation Corps and has been added to the County's trail system for maintenance purposes.
For more information, please contact San Miguel County Parks and Open Space at 970-369-5469. View the Bridal View Creek Trail map (PDF)