Monarch Crest

Without question, the Monarch Crest Trail rates as the most popular ride in the region.

It is 12 miles of wondrous single-track from Monarch to Marshall passes, with another 28 miles of single-track following on the Rainbow Trail to U.S. 285, and on to Methodist Mountain and Bear Creek.

Be advised: The stretch from the highway to Methodist is tough biking — suitable for advanced-only fats riders. But added up, from Monarch to Bear Creek, it’s about 40 miles of virtually all single track ... and no wonder this is considered one of Colorado’s and the West’s top rides.

For our purposes, the following description will be limited to the Crest Trail and the trail choices from Marshall Pass to Mears Junction/U.S. 285.

The first 12 miles at 11,000 to 12,000 feet of elevation of the Crest Trail meanders along the Continental Divide. Riders get sensational views of the Rockies, including the Sawatch Range, Pikes Peak to the east and the distant San Juans and Uncompahgres to the southwest and west.

Riders cover a variety of terrain from mountaintop granite to boulder fields. One moment you’re on what seems to be the edge of the world. The next, you’re flying effortlessly, silently through a dark green tunnel on a pine needle carpet.

Advanced 4-5 Hours     28 Miles

Rating: Intermediate-advanced.
Distance: 28 miles.
Time: Four to five hours.
Elevation: Starting at 11,312 feet, the high point is 11,960. Total climbing is about 1,000 feet. Elevation drop is 3,800 feet.
Trails: Single-track, four-wheel drive, graded dirt and paved roads.
Maps: Monarch Crest Trail Photo Flow Guide, Colorado Trail Map; San Isabel National Forest map; USGS 15-Minute Bonanza, Garfield and Poncha Springs topos; 7.5-Minute Pahlone Peak topo.
Access: This ride requires a vehicle shuttle. The lower shuttle is set in Poncha Springs or Salida and the upper at the Monarch Aerial Tramway parking lot at the Monarch Pass summit. The summit is about 18 miles west of Poncha Springs on U.S. 50.

The Monarch Crest Trail is one of the finest mountain bike rides in the state with elevation gains up to 12,000 feet and extreme views of the Sawatch, Uncom-pahgres and San Juan Mountain Ranges. It is an extension of the Continental Divide Trail System and in some sections, overlaps the Colorado Trail. Seeing a great need to help riders navigate the various routes on the Crest, Andrew Mesesan of Absolute Bikes in Salida has created a waterproof, topographic map of the the Crest Trail complete with photo references, altitude gain and trail profiles. The various trails are color-coded with mileage labels in an easy-to-use format. The maps are available for purchase at Absolute Bikes, 330 W. Sackett Ave. in Salida or by calling 888-539-9295.

Ride Description: This ride is a favorite of locals as well as fat trackers from around the state; it is a challenging fun ride.

From the Monarch Tram parking lot, start up the one-lane dirt road east of the gondola tower.

Look for the start of the single track on the right on Forest Service Trail 531, approximately 0.3 mile up this hill. Several signs at the start indicate mileage to Marshall Pass and to several other points along the route.

Another sign notes the Continental Divide Trail. Similar markers will be present along the remainder of the trail, all the way to Marshall Pass. Follow the single track for 0.7 mile to the power line, and continue up the four-wheel drive road going almost straight south. This section gains 230 feet in 0.7 mile.

After two switchbacks, continue uphill to the trees, and make a right turn onto the trail.

Signs posted at this point indicate “Marshall Pass nine miles,” and a Continental Divide trail marker.

At this point, you have climbed approximately one quarter of the total elevation, and have ridden a short section of the single track.

The rest of the single track is as difficult, or more difficult, for short sections. This is a good turn-around point if you are having difficulty with the altitude, or if the weather looks threatening.

The next 8.7 miles are single track, which will climb initially (300 feet in 1.5 miles) to gain the ridge crest. Continue along the crest, skirting high points on their southwest aspects. This section is exposed, so avoid thunderstorms.

Four miles after regaining single track, join the Colorado Trail as it comes up South Fooses Creek drainage and continue east. In another mile the ridge breaks, resulting in a 400-foot descent in slightly more than a mile. Look for a shelter hut on the left after completing the descent.

A 200-foot climb in 0.8 mile is the last major climb of the ride. This section, which can be muddy in wet weather, regains the crest.

Cross Agate Creek trail in 0.2 mile after finishing the climb, and continue through the trees. Watch for a short section crossing a talus field. Many will want to walk their bikes through this stretch.

The single track ends three miles from the shelter house. Continue on the four-wheel drive road (CR 234.2G) that descends rapidly to the Marshall Pass trailhead — 600 feet in 1.5 miles. This trailhead is marked with several signs — one showing distance to Monarch Pass.

Riders choose among three routes to get back to U.S. 285:

• The single-track of the Rainbow Trail along Silver Creek;
• The Colorado Trail to intersections with Poncha Creek; or
• A left off the trailhead following the old Denver and Rio Grande narrow gauge track bed, now a graded road, the route we’ll describe here.

Look for a sign noting Gray’s Creek, just over a mile after crossing the Chaffee-Saguache county line sign. Go down the embankment on the right and continue on a four-wheel drive road to O’Haver Lake. Ride along the south shore of the lake, leaving the campground on FR/CR 202A and pass straight through an intersection in half a mile.

In another mile is a “T” intersection with a stop sign. Turn left and continue east on CR 200 to 285.

(click map for larger view)