Telluride, Colorado

23 Sep 2014

Telluride airstrip is at 9,070 ft altitude,

and a spectacular setting!!

So I just had to fly it.

Got perfect weather.
There's a digital sign at the entrance to the runway
 displaying current density altitude,
 It was indicating 10,500 ft today!

A bit longer take-off run and slower climb,

but no real problems with the altitude for this little aircraft.

Well worth the effort!
Might have to do it again tomorrow.....

A lot of small jets use this airfield, with straight-in approaches from this direction.
I did a left-hand circuit from here,
and touched down right at the numbers at the other end,
and easily turned off at the exit.
Sure is necessary to have good radio when operating with such traffic.....

The town is a former silver mining camp on the San Miguel River in the western San Juan Mountains. The first gold mining claim was made in the mountains above Telluride in 1875 and early settlement of what is now Telluride followed. 

Telluride sits in a box canyon. Steep forested mountains and cliffs surround it, with Bridal Veil Falls at the head of the canyon.  A perfect base for hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter.

Ski runs right down to the town.

And dining in cool, spectacular surroundings.

Of course lots of restaurants and coffee shops....

p.s.- Butch Cassidy did his first bank robbery here.....

The ski slopes above Telluride.

And of course golf courses with a view.....

 This was my chance to fly near some really rugged mountains,

with still somewhere to land if necessary.....

Flying at 11,000 ft here.....
Always wanted to fly near really BIG mountains,
and here was a perfect location.

 Camped on public land at 9700 ft near Telluride.

Oh, it's a h-a-r-d life......