Welcome to the prettiest part of Colorado, the San Juan Mountains. This is an epic hiking itinerary, taking you to some of the most beautiful alpine lakes, cutest cafes, and incredible views that Colorado has to offer. Be prepared, this is an intensive hiking itinerary. Please only attempt the hikes that are well matched for your skill level.
Day 1 — Hello Telluride
Description: You start by visiting the tallest waterfall in Colorado. A shakeout hike to test the legs and altitude, the free gondola for the aerial views, and the most iconic hike in Telluride that brings you to a waterfall.
8:00 AM — Baked in Telluride for breakfast
9:00 AM — Bridal Veil Falls Hike
12:00 PM — The Butcher & The Baker, lunch on the main street
2:00 PM — Free Gondola at Telluride Station: ride to Mountain Village and back
4:00 PM — Bear Creek Trail: a Telluride classic, ends at a beautiful waterfall that you can walk right up to
7:00 PM — Brown Dog Pizza for dinner, the Detroit-style is the move
Overnight — Drive to Ridgway for the night, a short 50 minutes away for camping or rent a cute airbnb
Day 2 — Over the Million Dollar Highway
Description: A morning alpine lake, then the most spectacular paved road in the state over to the Silverton side, with a clothing-optional soak in the middle. You camp tonight near the trailhead for tomorrow's big climb.
6:00 AM — Grab breakfast in Ridgway
7:00 AM — Lower, Middle and upper Blue Lake hike, there are 3 lakes on this hike. You do not have to see them all to enjoy the experience. Even the first lake is worth the hike.
1:00 PM — Orvis Hot Springs to relax post hike and reset the muscles
3:00 PM — Million Dollar Highway, the most dangerous road in America from Ouray to Silverton (there are no guardrails so drive carefully, but the road is paved and suitable for any type of vehicle).
5:30 PM — South Mineral Campground: set up near Ice Lake trailhead
Overnight — South Mineral Campground (nights 2 and 3)
Day 3 — Ice Lake Basin
Description: The crown jewel. Alpine start to reach the upper basin in the best light and beat the afternoon storms. Ice Lake and Island Lake stacked together is one of the greatest hiking days in North America.
5:30 AM — South Mineral Campground, pre-dawn start from camp
6:00 AM — Ice Lake, climb to the impossibly blue Ice Lake
10:30 AM — Island Lake, the upper lake is somehow even more beautiful (take your time, spend the afternoon and eat lunch).
4:00 PM — Silverton, recovery meal in the old mining town. Go to El Bandito, it's some of the best Mexican food I've had in Colorado
Overnight — South Mineral Campground
Day 4 — Onward to Lake City
Description: A driving and rest day. Hang out on the shore of the state's second-largest natural lake. Enjoy views on the drive. Easy night, fourteener tomorrow.
8:00 AM — Silverton: breakfast and pack out
9:30 AM — Head towards Lake City (do not attempt the Alpine Lake Loop unless you have a high clearance 4x4 and off roading experience)
2:00 PM — Lake San Cristobal, lakeside lunch and a swim
4:00 PM — Wupperman Campground, set up on the lake
5:30 PM — Packer Saloon & Cannibal Grill, dinner in Lake City
7:00 PM - Visit Goose Island Suspension Bridge for sunset
Overnight — Wupperman Campground
Day 5 — Handies Peak (your fourteener)
Description: Summit day. Handies is the most approachable 14er in the San Juans. Early start, watch the weather, stand on a 14,000-foot peak by late morning. Tonight you trade the tent for a real bed.
4:30 AM — Leave Wupperman Campground: alpine start, drive to the trailhead. This road requires a 4x4 vehicle and potentially high clearance, or experience driving rutted dirt roads.
5:30 AM — Arrive at trailhead to Handies Peak
5:45 - Summit push! Handies is the first 14er I hiked and it was stunning from start to finish. Be down before the afternoon storms
1:30 PM — Cafe 98: late breakfast-for-lunch in Lake City
3:00 - Peruse Lake City and enjoy the small town
Overnight — Matterhorn Motel (or Wildflower Cabins)
Day 6 — Drive back home (Denver if flying)
Description: Enjoy the beautiful 4 hour drive back to Denver with a couple special stops along the way.
9:00 AM - Sleep in. You deserve it.
11:00 AM — Depart. My preferred route back to Denver is highway 149, to highway 50, to 287.
1:30 - Arrive in Buena Vista for Lunch
2:30 - Quick pit stop by St Elmo Ghost Town, enjoy the history.
3:30 - Back on the road to Denver.
5:30 - Back in Denver.
