Hey there all you Telluride Festiveterans! I am writing for some encouragement, advice, or redirection concerning my developing plans about this summer’s festival. I have just finished my first year of med school, and my “last summer break ever” is coming up. I live in Charleston, SC and have been to Merlefest a few times, but I have always wanted to get out to Telluride. I love the lineup this year, and really want to make it happen, but living on the east coast with a small set of “bluegrass, etc”-loving friends makes it tough to recruit others down for the trek to Telluride. I think I would be willing to go it alone, and I wanted to see if people had advice for a solo newbie. I can fly into Denver without a problem, and I guess I could either ride-share or Greyhound into Telluride. As for camping - I know there are Mary E. Ilium spots left and I could pack a small tent if I needed to. I have done Merlefest alone and with people, and while alone is still fun, people make it better. It was kinda tough meeting random people in Wilkesboro . . . any suggestions for Telluride? Anyway, advice for the solo festival attempt would be very welcome, and I hope to see y’all around in CO!
People are friendly in Mary E, so you’ll probably find some people to hang out with pretty quickly if you make the effort. And come out, it’s definitely worth the trip!
this will be my fourth year in telluride . every year i drive alone from Los Angeles . my first year was a little nerve racking . i didn’t know what to expect . but the first five minutes there i met some new friends that i have been camping with ever since . these festivarians are special people . it’s like one big happy family . and what a place to be in . when you come down the 145 into telluride it takes your breath away . it’s definately worth the treck
Solo treks are OK. You will make friends in no time.Really. Just get here and we will show you.
I have been to fests solo and it is fun and you will not be the only solo. Trust me my new friend, you will have a foot stompin good time.
If you fly in send your stuff to General Delivery, Telluride Post Office and just pick it up when you get to town… :flower
Your NEVER really alone we are 10000 strong and you will be welcomed as long as you love music and bacon… :flower
Hellooooo! Flying into Denver still leaves you with a 7 hour (minimum) drive. Options: Fly into a town called Montrose which puts you within 1.5 hours of Telluride and I believe there are shuttles available. It will cost more for the plane ticket but will ultimately save you 2 days-worth of travel. Or, check the “Rides” section to workout carpooling from Denver to Telluride. There are/will be camping tickets popping up for camping (Town Park or elsewhere) as the time approaches and people have conflicts arise. If you get chummy with a few people on the forum then you’ll be able to have their eyes also help you score the ticket you want. Also, as a “almost doctor” you probably understand the importance of bacon in a camping environment, so bring plenty. It helps you make friends as well as keeping your blood pressure up from all the sodium.
Don’t forget to tell em about the dress code… :lol
hey i’m a newbie too and i’m heading to telluride solo. do it! tride is my destination but i’m doing a big road trip from tn so hitting lotsa places along the way!
Dress code = No walrus pelts
this is my “last summer break ever” too!! :cheers
i just finished up my first year of nursing school, whew!
your never solo at TBF!! make the trip, you’ll make new friends, and have a “happy place” to refer to when second year hits :flower
Do it Man. Your on this forum so you already have friends that will be meeting you in Telluride! :thumbsup
Auntie Hope :festivarian2 :green
Thanks so much for all of the responses everybody! It is a great encouragement to be so well e-received already by the Festivarian crowd! I think y’all may have gotten me to pull the trigger! I guess I’ll go ahead and get my ticket to Denver or Telluride and then troll the exchange and ride share boards for some help in camping and transport.
Schleintz: That’s awesome about finishing up! Enjoy the last summer, and I look forward to relying on y’all’s major clinical experience when they set us scared puppy students loose on the wards in a few years!
Libraryvolgirl: I am always a fan of the road trip and would be doing the same myself if I didn’t have some other things going on with school this summer. Hope your excited about Mr. Berry’s burgeoning career in Tampa, and lets throw down some Rocky Top if we meet up in Telluride!
Hooch: I definitely will be bringing home the bacon to Telluride - I’m a bit of a foodie, so I’ll spend my free time from now til then hoping to bring a bacon-themed recipe that will be well received among so many pork belly connoisseurs!
Hopefully I can make this thing work, and I know I’ll be happy if I do! I cannot wait to hear this mythical Telluride House Band! It’s like the Captain Planet of Bluegrass! I just want to let everyone know that I am not far enough along in my training to fix the melted faces after all of those pickers do their thing!!!
Counting the days!
mr. banjo-are you a fellow ut fan? amen to rocky top! i just got a mando so maybe i can learn to pick it out before t-ride 
as far as camping-if you want to camp in town park check the returned tix part of the site on tuesdays-noon mtn time (although i checked earlier and was able to score a tp tix).
Major props for that one, my friend :lol This may well be my new favorite way to describe the House Band. Well said. :cheers
Oh geez…a UT fan? You need to keep away from CSI Mike or we’ll end up locking you both in a porta-pot.
Now let’s not be makin’ assumptions here! I bleed orange, but not that lighter gross shade! I prefer the rich, bright, powerful hue that they spin into textiles in upstate South Carolina! But I am a fan of the Osbourne Bros. and will jam out to some Rocky Top! (And I’ll cordially talk football with anybody for hours if they’ll let me . . . even those barn yard “rivals” of ours two hours up the road). I’ll check for town park tix periodically - thanks for the heads up . . . is it worth the scouting though?
I spent some time in Columbia. I’ll be at MEI too. Solo trips to Tride can be lots of fun. Don’t have to worry about anybodys shedule but your own. Watch for the illegal immigrant flag.
You really want to fly into Montrose. Durango or Grand Junction are also an option.
If not then try looking for a carpool from Boulder. There will be lots of folks coming from Boulder.
It gets real cold at night so be prepared!
:wave Like Hope Lin said, you are on this forum, so even though you might travel to TBF solo, you are not alone. You’re with us now, and you can interpret that any way you like. 
:cheers
lol hooch! please don’t like me in a port-o-shitter, but i guess if i had to be it better be w/ a fellow ut fan. LOL! i will try to limit my orange. i’ll be bringing my ut tailgate chair though
okay banjo-we can shoot the football shit, i have no grudge against clemson. this is my first time to tride so i figure if i’m going i wanna go big so for me it was worth it to get a TP tix!
Don’t limit your UT gear. Bring it all.
Don’t be scared of Hooch, you can take him, I have no doubt of that.
If you’re not a fighter, just put some beggin strips in your pocket and throw them when he gets near. According to the commercials, they smell just like bacon, and I’m pretty sure Hooch can’t read.
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GO VOLS!