Plum Telluride

Rare Books, Great Stories and Western Icons

esetzer — Thu, 08 May 2008 15:13:03 -0400

Ken Sanders, a legendary bibliophile, owns Ken Sanders Rare Books in Salt Lake City. The Plum crew stopped in to talk to Sanders while they were in the area for Sundance Film Festival this past winter.

This welcoming storyteller was happy to show off his most prized books and share his eclectic stories. Sanders has ties to the famous Cosmic Airplane head shop in Salt Lake City, was friends with author Edward Abbey, who wrote "The Monkey Wrench Gang," and is also close with comic book illustrator and author R. Crumb. In addition to owning the bookstore, he also runs Dream Garden Press, and specializes in books about the literary west, Mormonism, Edward Abbey, Wallace Stegner, national parks, public lands and the environment.

Bookstore Author Ken Sanders

esetzer — Thu, 08 May 2008 14:59:15 -0400

When the Plum crew went to Sundance Film Festival this past winter, they stopped in Ken Sanders' Rare Books in Salt Lake City to interview the bibliophile with so many great stories.

May 7: Ben Clark's Team Prepares for Ascent

esetzer — Wed, 07 May 2008 14:08:32 -0400

If you've been wondering how Ben Clark and friends are doing on their trek up Annapurna IV, then wait no longer. Here's the latest of the colorful dispatches from Ben Clark:

"Twisting wisps of wind dance along the solemn northwest ridgeline of Annapurna IV. Playfully the dance has drawn us in forcing us to question, will the jet stream push away these little snow devils and surge the ridgeline with the power of a hurricane or will we enter a window of opportunity? We will be there to see, we begin the ascent tomorrow.

Rafting and Kayaking in Moab

esetzer — Mon, 05 May 2008 12:08:15 -0400

Ramona Bruland headed to Moab, where she tried out rafting and kayaking. With the gorgeous Utah desert only a couple hours from Telluride, it's the perfect getaway for just a couple days or even a couple weeks. Mountain biking, rafting, kayaking, hiking – it's all there.

Boating on the Colorado River

esetzer — Mon, 05 May 2008 12:08:03 -0400

Need a break from the mountains? Try heading to Moab for bit of rafting or kayaking, where the cool rapids are the perfect match to the warm, dry sun.

May 4: Ben Clark and Team Ski Through the Storm

esetzer — Mon, 05 May 2008 11:51:23 -0400

Here's the latest dispatch from Tellurider Ben Clark, who is ascending Annapurna IV:

"A long storm pattern is blanketing Annapurna IV with snow. Each hour we hear thundering avalanches ripping down the north face. Eerily we wake in the middle of the night as if a dumptruck just pulled into camp. Annapurna IV is a dynamic mass, the same gravity that pulls at its slopes is the same force that is our ticket to fun!

May 3: Fresh Dispatch from Ben Clark at Annapurna IV

esetzer — Mon, 05 May 2008 11:42:33 -0400

Ben Clark, a host for Plum TV's Fresh Tracks show, has traded the San Juans for the Himalayas. Here, he writes about waiting out a storm:

"It won't stop snowing, the Austrians have retreated and each day the mountain is slowly cleaning itself of the newfallen precipitation. We are avalanche pros and know to stay off the peak...but smaller lower angled aspects around basecamp? Oh, you should check out the pics on the website!

The Ultimate Guide to Summer in Telluride

esetzer — Fri, 02 May 2008 13:57:11 -0400

Summer in Telluride is so incredible that some folks don’t even associate Telluride with winter or steep slopes of fresh powder. Instead, they think of our quaint, mountainous town as the backdrop to world famous art and music festivals, a palette of wildflowers, a playground of trails and wilderness and the make-you-feel-like-a-kid-again feeling from seeing rainbows over the valley floor. Summer is a beautiful time of year here, and the array of activities is as endless as your imagination.

Festivals and Events: 2008

During the summer in our tiny town you can taste fabulous wines, dance to bluegrass, rock to blues, stretch into downward dog position, peruse art, watch world-class movies and documentaries, and – oh, you get the idea. There is never a shortage of arts, music or cultural activities during the summer in Telluride. Beginning with MountainFilm over Memorial Day weekend, the summer festivals continue with Telluride Jazz Celebration, Wild West Fest, Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Telluride Wine Festival, Telluride Plein Air Celebration, Telluride Yoga Festival, Nothing Festival, Mountain Village Music Festival, Telluride Chamber Music Festival, Telluride Festival of the Arts, Telluride Mushroom Festival, Telluride Film Festival and Blues & Brews Festival.

Hiking

The calm whisper of wind passing through the trees, the sweet smell of dirt and pine needles, the warm sun on your back and a quickened breath from the exercise. Can you feel it? The San Juan Mountains have some of the most glorious hiking areas on the planet, and some great weather as well. Get started early and expect a quick and cleansing rain shower in the afternoon. Plus, this town is unique in that you can start many hikes directly from town, making it incredibly easy to grab a last-minute snack for your backpack or to pop into a bar for a post-hike beer. Here are a few of the closest trails to town:

• Bear Creek Canyon – This 325-acre canyon exhibits waterfalls and stunning scenery. This easy to moderate trail is 2.5 miles one-way and starts at the south end of Pine Street.
• Bridal Veil Falls – At the very east end of town where the asphalt on Highway 145 ends, follow the dirt road 1.2 miles to the bottom of the falls, or 2.2 miles to the top. This easy to moderate trail passes a private home at the top of the falls, and does continue on to Blue and Silver Lakes should you want a longer hike.
• Cornet Falls – Only about a quarter of a mile round-trip, this easy to moderate hike through a red rock canyon filled with rushing water begins at the north end of Aspen Street and veers to the right of the falls, whereas heading left would take you to the Jud Wiebe trail.
• Jud Wiebe Trail – This steeper loop hike of 2.7 miles begins at the north end of Aspen Street before heading above town, offering views of Bridal Veil and Ingram Falls. The trail continues to Tomboy Road and back into town.
• San Miguel River Trail – This easier 2.5 mile one-way trail begins at Town Park on the east end of town and continues west beside the river and the valley floor. It offers an up-close view of flora and fauna along the valley floor, beaver ponds and the San Miguel River.

Tip: Be sure to pack a compass and map, extra water, snacks, a flashlight, a rain jacket and a hat and sunscreen.

Biking

Pump up those tires and lube that chain because summer is the season for mountain biking. Although the Full Tilt downhill mountain bike race has been canceled for 2008, there’s still plenty of terrain to climb, cruise or fly downhill.

• San Miguel River Trail – This 2.5 mile one-way biking and hiking trail cruises from Town Park to the valley floor, where you’ll pass by beavers, muskrats, prairie dogs, fish and birds if you’re not going too fast to notice.
• Ilium Road/ Ames Historic Site – Ilium Road turns off Highway 145 about five miles out of town and follows the San Miguel River to the old Ames power plant. This ghost town had a school house built in 1890 and the world’s first alternating current power plant, built by Telluride inventor L.L. Nunn. The mostly gravel road is about 8 miles one way.
• Galloping Goose Trail – Yes, the Galloping Goose is the silver bus you’ve seen flying through town, but it’s also a 17-mile trail beginning on Lizard Head Pass, meandering past Trout and Priest lakes, and then dropping into the Ilium Valley. Once reaching the river, many riders head back into town by following the trail to the Lawson Hill area about 3 miles west of town and then hop onto the paved bike path.
• Mountain Village trails – You can trade snow for dirt by starting in Mountain Village and biking on the ski area. Trails range from beginner to advanced and maps are available at the Mountain Village Information Center.

Hot Air Balloons and Paragliding

From town we often look up at the breathtaking peaks of the San Juan Mountains, but it’s not often we get to look down on them – especially from the basket of a hot air balloon. The first weekend of June each year, hordes of hot air balloons take to the skies during the Telluride Balloon Festival. Of course, if you’re up for more adventure, you can go tandem or solo paragliding.

Camping

Town Park offers camping spots near playgrounds, picnic areas, fishing ponds, a swimming pool, a skateboard ramp, and tennis, volleyball and basketball courts, ball fields and most importantly, festival grounds. This place gets packed during many of the summer festivals, so reserve your spot early by calling (888) 376-9770. Visit www.Telluride.com for more information on camping near Telluride.

Rafting, Kayaking

With all the snow from last winter, the rivers are sure to pack a punch of adventure and adrenaline. The plethora of local river guides will definitely show you a wild time on the San Miguel or Dolores rivers whether you’re kayaking or whitewater rafting.

Flyfishing

You, the rollicking river and sunshine on your back as your tie your flies. Flyfishing is a peaceful way to enjoy the local rivers, and maybe a way to get dinner, too! The local guides know the best spots to catch Rainbow and Brown Trout, as well as Brookies and Cutthroats. The San Miguel River is one of the only two free-flowing rivers left in Colorado, but the Dolores and Uncompahgre rivers also house plenty of fish for patient anglers. However, if it’s lakes you’re into, Alta Lakes, Priest Lake, Silver Lake and Trout Lake are all great options.

Golf

A day on the green was never as beautiful as when staring out at the Wilson mountain ranges, Lone Cone, Palmyra Peak and the Dallas mountain range. Telluride Golf Club’s course sits below the towering peaks at 9,300 feet. For costs or tee times, call (970) 728-2606.

Unfortunately, the days of warm sunshine are limited and amount to a relatively short summer (it isn’t rare to see a snowfall in June or September.) But Telluriders sure pack a lot into that time span in an attempt to spend every free minute outdoors and enjoying the festivals that rock the town almost every weekend. With Telluride’s sense of community and its proximity to nature and big mountains, it’s no wonder visitors have flocked here every summer and have consequently turned it into a world-class destination for music, arts and outdoor activities.

Step Step Triple Step

esetzer — Fri, 02 May 2008 13:26:51 -0400

Swing dancers Ronni Creel and Todd Dewey are founders of "Step Step Triple Step" and stopped by the set of Morning, Noon & Night to show off their moves.

May 1: Annapurna IV Update from Ben Clark

esetzer — Fri, 02 May 2008 12:33:33 -0400

The latest dispatch from Ben Clark, a Plum TV host who is summiting and skiing down Annapurna IV in Nepal:

"We spent most of the day today dodging thunderstorms and Austrians. Both are omnipresent and change the nature of base camp. It was a classic rest day in a secluded Himalyan locale.

April 30: Update from Ben Clark on Annapurna IV

esetzer — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:53:10 -0400

Here's the latest update from Plum TV host Ben Clark, who is in the Himalayas and plans to summit and ski down Annapurna IV.

"Annapurna IV is a striking peak cutting the cobalt sky and breaking the jet stream. A long technical shoulder leads to it's lofty summit, this will be our path. We now sit below this shoulder at 15,500'. Distant echoes of glaciers calving are now drowned out by thunder. Thunder.

Ben Clark Ascends Annapurna IV

esetzer — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 18:16:32 -0400

By Emily Setzer

You've probably seen Plum's Tennessee native, Ben Clark, on Fresh Tracks in the winter as he tells Plum's viewers where to find the best stashes of snow on the mountain and which runs have been groomed. Now he's spending his off season on a different mountain – hiking through the Himalayas with the goal of summiting Annapurna IV.

After sitting on multiple plane rides, dealing with last-minute changes to travel plans, and nursing his swollen "cankles," he and his teammates are now in the high country at about 24,000 feet, with Annapurna IV looming above them. They still have a couple thousand feet to go before summiting the incredible peak, and will blog their experiences along the way.

Remembering Ruby

esetzer — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:48:59 -0400

Ruby, the oldest living mountain lion on record, was put down on April 2 at the grand old age of 23. Here, Plum host Ramona Bruland talks to Melissa Margetts, who used Ruby to educate people how to care for and be safe around wild animals and mountain lions.

Farewell, Ruby

esetzer — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:35:00 -0400

Telluride says goodbye to Ruby the mountain lion. Rescued from a U.S. Department of Agriculture fur farm, Ruby went on to live at the Rocky Mountain Ark Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and lived to be the oldest mountain lion in the world. After suffering from ailments associated with old age, she was put down this spring. In this video, Ramona interviews Melissa Margetts, who used Ruby to teach people about mountain lions and safety around wild animals.

Loving the Mountains With Antoine Savelli

esetzer — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:47:08 -0400

Antoine Savelli, a local alpinist, describes his love for all things related to the mountains and nature, and tells Plum why he chose to merge his life with the sport of alpinism.

TREC Broker Jim Nerlin

esetzer — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 17:23:35 -0400

Telluride Real Estate Corporation broker Jim Nerlin shows one of his listings.

Tour of 130 High Country Road

esetzer — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:10:38 -0400

Tour of 98 Hang Glider Drive

esetzer — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:57:29 -0400

The Lots at San Juan Ranch

esetzer — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:54:08 -0400

A Tour of Boomerang Lodge Unit 8

esetzer — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:43:41 -0400