Bridal Veil Falls

Bridal Veil Falls is the landmark you see from almost everywhere in Telluride: a thin white ribbon plunging roughly 365 feet at the very back of the box canyon, the tallest free-falling waterfall in Colorado. It is visible from Colorado Avenue and the gondola, which makes it the easiest sight in the area to enjoy without any effort at all, but a closer look is worth the extra work. A rough four-wheel-drive road climbs from the east end of town up toward the falls, and hikers can follow the same route on foot to stand in the spray at its base. At the top of the falls sits the Smuggler-Union Hydroelectric Power Plant, a historic stone and timber building from the early 1900s that once supplied electricity to the mines. It is one of the more photogenic bits of industrial heritage in Colorado, perched on the lip of the cliff and visible from town.

The walk to the base is a steady uphill climb of a couple of miles on a rocky road at high altitude, so go in good shoes, carry water and give yourself time. The route follows the lower stretch of the same road that continues toward Black Bear Pass, and in summer you will share it with jeeps, so keep to the edge and listen for engines. Hikers typically reach the lower viewing area in an hour or so each way, depending on fitness and acclimatization, and the reward is a cool mist and a close look at the water shooting off the cliff.

Timing matters. In late spring and early summer snowmelt turns the falls into a thundering torrent and parts of the road can still hold snow or run with water. By late summer the flow thins to a more delicate veil, which is the picture most postcards show. In winter the falls freeze into a huge blue ice column that draws ice climbers; unless you are an experienced, properly equipped climber, view it from town instead and leave the ice to the specialists.

If you would rather not hike, a guided jeep tour covers the same ground in comfort and adds history and commentary about the mines above. You can also simply enjoy the falls from the village. A quick look from the top of the street at dawn, with the first light turning the cliff gold, costs nothing and requires no gear. Whatever your approach, bring a camera, check road and trail conditions before setting out, and treat the cliff edges and slippery rock around the water with respect.

For photographers, the best light comes at the beginning and end of the day. Morning sun strikes the upper cliff and lights the water against the dark rock, while evening tends to deepen the colors in the canyon walls. A telephoto lens compresses the falls and the power station neatly, while a wide lens from the base captures the scale of the cliff.

Respect the signs and fences around the power plant, which is still a historic property in use, and never climb onto the structure. Pack out all trash, stay on the road, and leave wildflowers where they grow so the basin stays beautiful for the next hiker.