BONUS XOMU: Melissa goes to Telluride

My 4-day hiking trip in this Colorado mountain town

This bonus XO, MU is for paid subscribers only. It’s just $6 a month—and I firmly believe these hiking guides—not to mention my Kiss, Marry, Kill series—are worth the spend.

My sister and I take at least one sister hiking trip a year. This year, we decided to meet in Telluride, CO in late July. We’ve both been, but not together, and there were some longer hikes that I didn’t get to do last year. (My husband isn’t into hiking 10 hard miles for three days in a row. Boo.)

Pro tip: Telluride looks like it’s in the middle of everything—so close to Ouray or Silverton as the crow flies. Truth is, you can’t get there from here (at least not directly). Plan on at least an hour’s drive to get basically anywhere, as the roads take circuitous routes in this area.

When to visit

Late July to early September is the best time to visit, given snow can linger well into July and even August. (One of the routes we considered doing was still too icy on the north face.) You can still get some hiking in earlier in the summer (and perhaps later into the fall), but bring spikes and poles and be prepared for some snow.

Wildflower season can vary wildly based on that year’s snowfall. Generally, flowers peak in mid-July, but they were booming in the first few days of August this year. There isn’t any way to know for sure, but in general, the more snowfall, the later the flowers will bloom that summer.

Pro tip: Telluride has tons of festivals and events in the summer, so check the schedule before you book. You may enjoy the energy of Jazz Fest, or you may want to avoid the extra-dense crowds.

Where to stay

There are two main centers: Telluride (the city), and Mountain Village, which sits high above Telluride. Each has its pros and cons.