Bridal Veil Falls
Waterfall
About
Bridal Veil Falls pours off the cliffs at the far east end of Telluride's box canyon. The Telluride Tourism Board calls it the tallest free-falling waterfall in Colorado, at 365 feet. A privately owned historic power plant sits at the top.
Drive east on Colorado Avenue past the Pandora Mill site to the end of the canyon. From the Idarado Mine parking area at the settling ponds, the Bridal Veil Trail climbs to the base of the falls, with a spur partway up to another waterfall and a swimming hole. The Tourism Board rates it moderate: 1.2 miles each way with 859 feet of climbing. You can also walk the dirt road, which is busy with bikes and four-wheel-drive traffic.
History
The power plant on top, the Smuggler-Union Hydroelectric Power Plant, was built in 1907 to power the Smuggler-Union Mine. It was shut down in 1953, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, and restored to working order in 1991.
When to go
It's a summer and fall hike, so check conditions before you go. In winter the falls freeze. The four-wheel-drive road is closed then, but you can drive to the end of the box canyon to see the ice. The Tourism Board discourages hiking or snowshoeing up in winter because of rockfall and avalanche danger.
Good to know
Trailhead parking is limited, so obey the posted signs.
Only high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles can drive to the bottom of the falls, and the Tourism Board suggests it only if you can't hike or bike. Black Bear Pass is one-way down to the falls, so no vehicles may go past the top.
Routes to Blue Lake, Silver Lake, the Lewis Mine, Ajax Peak and the Via Ferrata continue up the road from the base.
Price
No fee is listed for the trail or the road.
Run Bridal Veil Falls? Offer a coupon here for free.
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