Telluride and San Juan Mountains Showing Off October Colors

We enjoyed our first road trip in southwestern Colorado so much earlier this year that we decided to return to the area in the fall to see the changing of leaves' colors early in the second week of October.

We had not been able to visit Telluride on our trip earlier this year, so we made it the focal point of this return road trip.

We started seeing fantastic colors without even leaving I-70.

The route from Ridgway to Telluride (Colorado State Highway 62 and Colorado State Highway 145) includes the Dallas Divide and was particularly gorgeous.

The Telluride overlook provided a preview of what was to come as we got closer to Telluride.

We saw so many elk in a field on the outskirts of Telluride that we could have easily thought that we were in Estes Park.

It's not difficult to see why Telluride has been called one of the "26 Most Beautiful Towns in America."

It's also not difficult to see why Telluride is called one of the "6 Best Fall Getaways In Colorado 2021."

It is also easily understandable why Telluride's Bridal Veil Falls is one of its most popular attractions. Even the trailhead has interesting scenery and views.

The hike to the base of the falls is beautiful even before reaching the falls.

Having Bridal Veil Falls to ourselves just before the autumn sunset was fantastic!

We hiked back down to the trailhead before the sun had fully set to make sure getting back would not be too difficult and there were some great views on the way back.

Riding the free gondola between Telluride and Mountain Village and back (13 minutes each way) is a fun and easy way to see some gorgeous views, especially during the fall season.

We wanted to experience the Million Dollar Highway during the fall, so we drove the stretch from Ouray to Silverton after leaving Telluride. Ouray was even more beautiful in the fall.

Although we thought that the "Million Dollar Highway" was colorful back in June, it was even more colorful in early October.

It was fun to return to Silverton during the fall.

We ate at Thee Pitts "Again" restaurant in Silverton again.

We had intended to see Molas Pass during our June road trip, but forgot to do so. We made it there in our October return to the area and were glad we made it this time!

Southwestern Colorado and the San Juan Mountains featured incredible beauty when we visited there in June, but the views were even more spectacular in the fall.