Ajax Peak + Telluride Peak

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Views · Waterfall

Depending on where you start, this can be a pretty long hike, but the views along the entire route make the climb more than worth it.

4WD is recommended, otherwise the hike will be very long and start on quite a few rough road switchbacks. The peaks are certainly doable either way.

Drive up the Black Bear Pass Switchbacks in Telluride as far as you feel comfortable and hike from there. You might need to get dropped off because there's not really parking on the road.

You'll probably be walking by the time you reach the top of Bridal Veil Falls, otherwise, get dropped off here.

The views down-valley of Telluride and the box canyon are exquisite, especially in the fall with the golden aspens lighting everything up.

Eventually, you leave the rough Black Bear Road road for the Ajax Peak Trail on your left with quite a few singletrack switchbacks. Keep switching back till you reach the summit and enjoy the views along the way.

From there, follow the ridgeline south, you'll often see a faint trail to follow. The trail goes over many different terrains, including a couple of Class 3 rocky sections to climb.

When you reach the summit of Telluride Peak (13,509') take in all the beautiful 360-degree views that the summit provides. You can see the route you just hikeed, Imogene Pass, and several 14ers out in the distance.

When you're done at the summit, you can keep walking over to Imogene Pass if you care to do so, but the Telluride Peak is certainly the highlight of the day.

Your roundtrip mileage and elevation will depend on where you start the trail from. If you can't drive any of the initial switchbacks, there is a trail to Bridal Veil Falls that decreases the mileage rather than walking the road the whole way to the top of the falls.