🏔️ Colorado Wedding Road Trip

July 9–17, 2026  ·  Waterloo, IA → Crested Butte, CO
⛺ Dispersed Camping 🚵 Lift MTB × 2 🏔️ 14er Summit 🚴 Two Big Road Climbs ⭐ Homestake Tradition 💍 Wedding Jul 17

Route Overview

Waterloo→ Denver→ Silver Thread Hwy → Ouray→ Telluride Lift MTB→ Homestake Rd (2 nights)→ 14er → Taylor Park→ CB MTB Day→ Cottonwood Pass → License 1:30pm → Nails 2:30pm→ 💍 Wedding
Getting There — Days 1–3
D1
Thursday, July 9
Waterloo → Denver, CO
~11.5 hrs
🗺️ Navigate
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Route: I-380 N → I-80 W → I-76 S → I-25 S → Denver. 781 miles. Stock up on any camping gear or supplies you need — Denver has everything and it's your last easy resupply before the mountains.
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Familiar territory — use the night to rest, eat a real meal, and get organized before the dispersed camping stretch begins. Hotel, Airbnb, or friends.
💡 Leave by 5am to arrive in Denver by evening. It's a long day — don't underestimate it. Denver → Ouray the next morning is another 6.5 hrs so a proper rest matters.
📍 Nearby Dispersed Camping · Hotel/Airbnb night recommended in Denver
Georgetown / Clear Creek Canyon (Arapaho NF, I-70 exit 228 — 45 min) Low Map →
Rampart Range Road (Pike NF, near Woodland Park — 1 hr) Low Map →
D2
Friday, July 10
Denver → Silver Thread Highway → Creede → Lake City → Ouray
~6.5 hrs + stops
🗺️ Navigate
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Route (take the scenic way — worth it): US-285 S from Denver → South Fork → CO-149 N (Silver Thread Scenic Byway) → Creede → Lake City → Gunnison → US-50 W → Montrose → US-550 N to Ouray. Adds ~30 min over the direct route and is dramatically better.
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Creede stop — an old silver boomtown wedged into a sheer canyon on the Rio Grande. The main street presses directly against vertical rock walls. Surreal setting, 20-min walk, worth the stop.
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Lake City lunch stop — Victorian mining town on the Lake Fork of the Gunnison, surrounded by 14ers. The gorge drive into town on CO-149 is spectacular. Good lunch options in a charming small town.
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Arrive Ouray late afternoon. The town sits at the bottom of a sheer-walled box canyon — often called the "Switzerland of America." Walk Box Canyon Falls and the Perimeter Trail. Ouray hot springs pool is open daily if legs need a soak.
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Camp: Uncompahgre National Forest dispersed near Ridgway (8 miles north of Ouray). Pull-offs off US-550 and Owl Creek Pass Road. Big open views of the Cimarron Range. Free.
📍 Dispersed Camp Areas · Fri night — claim early · ⚠️ Camp Bird Rd indefinitely closed (rockslide Feb 2025)
Owl Creek Pass Rd (Uncompahgre NF, N of Ridgway — high clearance) 🌲🌲🌲 Excellent Moderate Map →
CO-145 / Lizard Head Pass (S of Telluride — meadow edged by spruce/fir) 🌲🌲 Good Low–Moderate Map →
US-550 pulloffs N of Ouray (Ridgway corridor — open scrubland) 🌲 Fair Moderate Map →
D3
Saturday, July 11
Telluride Lift MTB + Million Dollar Highway Road Climb
Stay in San Juans
🗺️ Navigate
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Morning — Million Dollar Highway road climb Road Climb #1
Ouray south to Red Mountain Pass (11,075 ft): 12 miles, ~2,500 ft gain one way. One of the most dramatic road rides in America — cliff-edge switchbacks, no guardrails on sections, abandoned mine ruins clinging to the canyon walls. Strong cyclist can push to Silverton (24 mi one-way) with a car shuttle back.
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Afternoon — MTB near Telluride Bike Park Closed 2026
Telluride's downhill bike park is closed all of 2026 due to Lift #4 construction. Alternatives:
• Mountain Village Gondola singletrack (free, runs May 21–Oct 25) — XC trails accessible free from the San Sophia gondola station, targeting open July 1. Miles of high-alpine singletrack connecting Mountain Village, Telluride town, and backcountry. ✓ E-bikes OK — e-bikes allowed wherever bikes are permitted. Gondola: use rear rack only, 1 e-bike per cabin.
• Purgatory Resort Bike Park (~1.5 hrs S on US-550 near Durango) — lift-served downhill, confirmed open 2026 Thu–Sun. Sat Jul 11 is an operating day. ✓ E-bikes OK — Class 1 eMTBs allowed, bike must be under 60 lbs and tires under 4″. Day ticket required.
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Alt — Yankee Boy Basin hike: one of the best wildflower hikes in Colorado in July, with views of Mt. Sneffels. Accessible without 4WD if you park low and walk the jeep road up. A strong option if the bike park situation changes the afternoon plan.
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Camp: Second night near Ridgway/Ouray, or move to near Telluride on CO-145 south toward Lizard Head Pass for a change of scenery.
💡 Road climb in the morning while legs are fresh, lift MTB in the afternoon. Or go deep on one — Telluride MTB alone is a full day of terrain.
📍 Dispersed Camp Areas · Sat night — busiest night, claim early · ⚠️ Camp Bird Rd indefinitely closed (rockslide Feb 2025)
CO-145 / Lizard Head Pass (S of Telluride — meadow edged by spruce/fir) 🌲🌲 Good Moderate Map →
Dolores River corridor (CO-145, N of Telluride — cottonwood/riparian) 🌲🌲 Good Low–Moderate Map →
Sunshine Mesa Rd / FSR 625 (Uncompahgre NF, near Telluride — aspen) 🌲🌲 Good High Map →
Homestake Tradition — Days 4–5
D4
Sunday, July 12
Ouray → Homestake Road (FSR 703/704) ⭐ Tradition
~4 hrs
🗺️ Navigate
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Route (via Grand Junction — faster than going through Salida): US-550 N → Ridgway → Montrose → US-50 W → Delta → Grand Junction → I-70 E → Glenwood Springs → Vail → Minturn/Red Cliff exit → FSR 703.
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Arrive mid-afternoon. Settle in, explore the road, decompress from the San Juan push. Quiet afternoon in the valley before two nights at your Colorado tradition.
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Camp: Dispersed on Homestake Road — your tradition. Pull-offs between Homestake Reservoir and the Missouri Lakes trailhead. One night here — you'll leave for the 14er trailhead at dawn.
📍 Dispersed Camp Areas · Sun night — uncrowded · 🐻 Bear food storage order in effect (hard-sided container required)
FSR 703 lower pulloffs (Homestake Rd, mi 5–12 — dense spruce/fir/aspen valley) 🌲🌲🌲 Excellent Low–Moderate Map →
Homestake Reservoir area dispersed (forested lakeshore) 🌲🌲 Good Low–Moderate Map →
FSR 704 upper, toward Missouri Lakes TH (more open at elevation) 🌲🌲 Good Low Map →
D5
Monday, July 13
Mt. Sherman 14er → Taylor Park
Big day — early start
🗺️ Navigate
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Leave Homestake camp 4:30–5am. Drive ~1.5 hrs to Mt. Sherman Trailhead ↗ (Fourmile Creek Road off CO-9, south of Leadville near Fairplay). On trail by 6:30–7am. July afternoon lightning above treeline is non-negotiable — summit and descend early.
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Mt. Sherman 14er — 5.6 mi RT, 2,300 ft gain, Class 2 (14,036 ft). The approach follows an old mining road to treeline, then a broad ridge walk to the summit — straightforward navigation, outstanding 360° views of the Mosquito and Sawatch ranges. Summit by ~10am, back to car by noon.
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After summit — drive to Taylor Park: Fairplay → Buena Vista → Cottonwood Pass Road (CR 306, paved, 12,126 ft) → Taylor Park. ~2 hrs of scenic driving you'll actually enjoy after a summit. Arrive mid-afternoon, set up camp.
🔥 Backup 14ers if Sherman closes (wildfire) · ranked easiest → hardest · all connect to Taylor Park via BV/Cottonwood Pass afterward
Mt. Democrat (Kite Lake TH, near Alma) · Class 2 · 4.7 mi RT · 2,950 ft gain · 14,148 ft — Nearly identical style and difficulty to Sherman; ~30 min drive from Sherman TH. Can tag Mt. Lincoln from the same lot in one outing (+2 mi, +300 ft). #1 Easiest TH →
Mt. Columbia (North Cottonwood Creek TH, near Buena Vista) · Class 2 · 7.1 mi RT · 3,950 ft gain · 14,073 ft — Sawatch Range, different fire zone from Mosquito Range. Less crowded than Sherman or Elbert. ~1.5 hr drive from Sherman TH. #2 Moderate TH →
Mt. Elbert (Elbert Creek TH, Twin Lakes) · Class 2 · 8.7 mi RT · 4,700 ft gain · 14,433 ft — Colorado's highest peak. Gradual grades but the longest day; start by 5:30am. ~2 hr drive from Sherman TH; still arrives Taylor Park by 5pm. #3 Most Demanding TH →
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Camp: Taylor Park — dispersed off CR 742 in Gunnison NF. Wide open high valley at ~9,000 ft, extensive pull-offs, far less impacted by the Wildflower Festival than Kebler Pass or Slate River spots near CB town. First of three nights here.
📍 Dispersed Camp Areas · Mon night — weekday, well away from Wildflower Festival · main valley is open sagebrush, target canyon spots for hammocking
Lottis Creek area (SE of reservoir — canyon, dense lodgepole pine) 🌲🌲🌲 Excellent Low Map →
Upper Taylor River drainage (above reservoir — forest closes in) 🌲🌲 Good Low Map →
Dinner Station area (S end of Taylor Reservoir — mixed pine/river) 🌲🌲 Good Low–Moderate Map →
CR 742 Taylor River Rd pulloffs (main valley — open sagebrush) — No Trees Low–Moderate Map →
Crested Butte — Days 6–8
D6
Tuesday, July 14
Taylor Park — Rest & Explore
Stay put
🗺️ Navigate
🌄
Recovery day after the 14er. Taylor Park is a wide high-altitude valley worth wandering — drive the dirt roads around Taylor Reservoir, explore toward Fossil Ridge, or just decompress before two hard riding days ahead.
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Prep bikes for tomorrow's CB rides. Clean drivetrains, dial suspension, pack the kit for the 401. Optional: short spin on the valley roads to shake out the legs.
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Optional short hike: Fossil Ridge Wilderness is accessible from the park — good views, no crowds, mostly Class 1 terrain. Low commitment, high payoff.
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Camp: Second night Taylor Park — same site.
💡 Taylor Park is the right base for these three nights. CB is close enough for day rides Wednesday and Thursday morning, and you avoid competing for spots near town during the Wildflower Festival.
📍 Dispersed Camp Areas · Tue night — weekday, quiet valley · target canyon spots for hammocking
Lottis Creek area (SE of reservoir — canyon, dense lodgepole pine) 🌲🌲🌲 Excellent Low Map →
Upper Taylor River drainage (above reservoir — forest closes in) 🌲🌲 Good Low Map →
Dinner Station area (S end of Taylor Reservoir — mixed pine/river) 🌲🌲 Good Low–Moderate Map →
CR 742 Taylor River Rd pulloffs (main valley — open sagebrush) — No Trees Low–Moderate Map →
D7
Wednesday, July 15
Cottonwood Pass Climb + Crested Butte 🚴
Big day — early start
🗺️ Navigate
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Leave Taylor Park 5:30am — ~1.5 hr drive over Cottonwood Pass eastbound to Buena Vista. Stage the bike in BV.
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Cottonwood Pass climb from BV Road Climb #2 — 25 miles, 4,600 ft gain to summit (12,126 ft). Average 5–6% grade, zero traffic early on a Wednesday, Collegiate Peaks views the entire way. Partner drives back over the pass and meets you at the summit. Summit by ~10:30am.
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Descend the west side to Taylor Park, then drive to Crested Butte (~1 hr via Almont/CO-135). Arrive CB by midday — rest of the afternoon is yours.
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Optional: 401 Trail — ~10 miles of high alpine singletrack through wildflower meadows at peak bloom. One of the best trails in Colorado. Access via Schofield Pass (drive up, ride point-to-point back to CB). Challenging after the climb but absolutely worth it if the legs are there. No e-bikes — Gunnison NF non-motorized trail designation.
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Optional: CBMR lift-served MTB Lift MTB #2 — ✓ E-bikes OK Class 1 pedal-assist e-bikes are permitted on the Red Lady Express lift and throughout the CBMR bike park. Verify at cbmr.com.
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Optional: Lower Loop / Doctor Park — CB town singletrack, good legs-recovery option after the climb. No e-bikes — non-motorized NF trails; confirm with CBMBA (crestedbuttemountainbike.com) before riding.
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Camp: Third night Taylor Park — same site. Last dispersed camping night of the trip.
📍 Dispersed Camp Areas · Wed night — quietest night of the week · target canyon spots for hammocking
Lottis Creek area (SE of reservoir — canyon, dense lodgepole pine) 🌲🌲🌲 Excellent Low Map →
Upper Taylor River drainage (above reservoir — forest closes in) 🌲🌲 Good Low Map →
Dinner Station area (S end of Taylor Reservoir — mixed pine/river) 🌲🌲 Good Low–Moderate Map →
CR 742 Taylor River Rd pulloffs (main valley — open sagebrush) — No Trees Low–Moderate Map →
D8
Thursday, July 16 ⭐ Key Date
License → Nails → Crested Butte Airbnb
Easy arrival day
🗺️ Navigate
Morning
Pack up Taylor Park campLeisurely morning — no early alarm today. Drive to Gunnison (~1 hr via Almont/CO-135) whenever you're ready.
1:30pm
Marriage License AppointmentGunnison County Clerk & Recorder. Both parties with valid photo ID, ~$30 fee. (970) 641-1651. No waiting period in Colorado.
2:30pm
Nails appointment 💅Gunnison. Looking good for the wedding tomorrow.
~4pm
Check in to Airbnb — Crested Butte30 min drive from Gunnison. Shower. Sleep in a bed. You've done 7 nights of dispersed camping, a 14er, and two big road climbs this week.
🏠 Airbnb check-in tonight — no dispersed camping needed · FYI: nearby CB spots during Wildflower Festival
Kebler Pass Rd (Gunnison NF, W of CB) — festival-impacted Very High Map →
Slate River Road dispersed (near CB town) — festival-impacted Very High Map →
D9
Friday, July 17 💍
Wedding Day — Crested Butte, Colorado
Nowhere to be
🗺️ Navigate
🎉
Getting married in Crested Butte at peak wildflower season, after riding Telluride and the 401, after summiting a 14er and two big road climbs, after a week doing exactly what you love together. That's the right start.
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Mid-July wildflower bloom in CB is extraordinary — the meadows around Gothic Valley and Slate River Road are stunning for morning photos before a ceremony. A short walk up Gothic Road before anything starts is one of the most beautiful things you'll see in Colorado in July.
💍 Wedding day — already in your Airbnb, no camping needed
D10
Saturday, July 18
Post-Wedding — Tattoo 🎨
Still in Crested Butte
🗺️ Navigate
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Tattoo Appointment — 10:00am MT. The morning after the wedding. A permanent mark to go with the ring.
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Rest of the day is yours — wander CB town, hit the wildflower meadows, or just enjoy being married.
🏠 Still in your Crested Butte Airbnb
D11
Sunday, July 19
Drive Home — Crested Butte → Waterloo, IA
~16 hrs total
🗺️ Navigate
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Crested Butte → Denver (~4 hrs): CO-135 S to Gunnison, then US-50 E to Poncha Springs, US-285 N to Denver. Easy morning drive with big mountain views on the way out.
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Denver → Waterloo (~12 hrs): I-76 E to I-80 E across Nebraska, then north into Iowa. Flat and fast — put on a good playlist and make miles. Total is ~16 hrs driving; split across two days if you want a relaxed finish, or push through with a co-pilot swap.
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Optional overnight stop: North Platte, NE or Lincoln, NE cuts the final day to 4–5 hrs. Denver is also an easy split point if you want a real night in a bed after the festivities.
🏠 Home — Waterloo, Iowa

Key Logistics & Reminders

🎨
Tattoo — July 18, 10:00am MT
Post-wedding appointment in Crested Butte. Day after the ceremony — make it permanent.
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Nails — July 16, 2:30pm
Appointment confirmed in Gunnison at 2:30pm. Right after the 1:30pm marriage license — perfect back-to-back in the same town.
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Marriage License — July 16, 1:30pm
Gunnison County Clerk & Recorder. Both parties with valid photo ID, ~$30. (970) 641-1651. No waiting period in Colorado.
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Lift MTB — Confirm Dates
Verify before leaving: Telluride at tellurideskiresort.com and CBMR at cbmr.com. Both typically run July through Labor Day. Rentals available at each resort.
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Cottonwood Pass Logistics (Wed Jul 15)
Leave Taylor Park 5:30am → BV by 7am → start climb 7am → summit ~10:30am. Descend west side back to Taylor Park, then optional CB riding in the afternoon. License and nails are Thursday — no alarm that morning.
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14er Weather Rules
Summit by 10–11am, descending before noon. July afternoon lightning on exposed ridges is life-threatening. Leave Homestake camp by 4:30–5am. No exceptions.
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Dispersed Camping
Free, no permit. 14-day limit. 100 ft from water, roads, and trails. Bear canister recommended at elevation. Pack everything out.

Generated June 2026  ·  Waterloo → Denver → Ouray → Homestake → Taylor Park → Crested Butte