Telluride sits in a box canyon among the highest concentration of 14,000 foot peaks in the United States. It is also the home of a totally awesome free gondola that connects with Mountain Village.
The gondola provides access to hiking/biking trails in the summer, and ski slopes in the winter. I also saw it being used as commuter and tourist transit. All this in a breathtaking 13 minute ride.
Top of the mountain. There were a lot back country cyclists riding down the mountain.
Descent into Telluride
Ariel Telluride
Telluride Station
Upon arriving in Telluride, I found a little restaurant for lunch, Smuggler Joe's Brew Pub and had a (what else?) turkey sandwich. I actually wanted a cheesesteak, but outside of Philly restaurants make them all wrong. After I finished up my lunch I wandered around town for a little bit. It was undeniably beautiful, but struck me as one of those terribly artificial tourist towns like Silverton, Park City, Durango, etc. Then it was back on the gondola. My day was actually going to end in Moab, so I was anxious to get back on the road.
Long Walk
Old (and hopefully abandoned) ski lift
One thing I did find odd about the gondola is there are several (what have to be) multi-million dollar homes that are close enough to the gondola path to be able to see in the windows.
I can only assume that occasionally gondola riders get a bit of a sideshow.
