You're all set! Monarch Crest Trail to South Fooses Creek. The ride then ascends up above 12000’ and down to Marshall Pass at 10800’. The gift shop is open from early spring to late fall. Published with permission from the guide book: Mellow Mountain Trails Hiking Guide to Colorado’s Upper Arkansas River Valley. Transportation companies, driving directions and more for Salida. Monarch Crest Ski Lift Ornament. Featuring 27 Fun Day Hikes in Buena Vista & Salida – beginner to expert.. Maps and Elevation Profiles for each ride, including altitude gain and loss. Featured Products Monarch Pass is definitely a pretty spot in the mountains. During the summer months in Colorado, thunderstorms routinely build out of nowhere on top of the mountains in the early afternoon . As we like to say: it’s all downhill… except for the uphill. Riders ascend 2000 vertical feet and travel above 12,000 feet elevation. There are five […] Part of the Continental Divide Trail, the Monarch Crest Trail winds through the Sawatch Mountains and San Isabel National Forest, featuring a 2300 foot ascent and over 6000 foot descent into the valley below. From Salida take Highway 50 to the top of Monarch Pass, past the ski resort and park at the old tramway. The Best Adventure you'll ever undertake! Monarch Crest Trail is high elevation and can experience sudden weather shifts, so riders should bring appropriate warm layers in anticipation of this. Monarch Crest Trail is one of Colorado’s three IMBA Epic routes starting on the east side of Monarch Pass. 7 AM special request shuttle is available for groups over 5. The ride ends down by Salida. The trail then links with Rainbow Trail for more climbing up to the final descent down into the valley. We also have visitor guides available in states highlighted in blue below. This Parade of Homes property offers a combination of indoor/outdoor living spaces, open gourmet kitchen, T&G ceilings, exposed wood beams, custom built-ins, oak flooring, custom tile and limestone facade. The trail starts at the Monarch Pass in an altitude of 11312 ft/3448 m and on the first miles of the ride you continue to gain elevation to an altitude of about 12000 ft/3646 m. The Monarch Crest … A word of caution: the Monarch Crest Trail traverses the Continental Divide for many miles, meaning you'll spend a long time at high elevation. You'll top out at about 11,960 feet and then begin the first major descent down an old fire road to Marshall Pass (this is about the 10 mile mark). The scenic trail offers spectacular views and mixed terrain that is challenging for many riders, but made much more manageable for those not used to the elevation with a STEPS powered e-bike. Monarch Pass (elevation 11,312 feet (3,448 m)) is a high mountain pass in central Colorado, in the Rocky Mountains of the western United States. It is an extension of the Continental Divide Trail System and in some sections, overlaps the Colorado Trail. It’s that high elevation that makes the views along the Monarch Crest Trail so spectacular.  We do carry some beautiful, but very fragile items. Anyone who needs assistance with accessing the content on this website please call 719.530.5000 . Formerly, this incredible area was only available for Monarch Cat Skiing guests before it was included into Monarch Mountain’s Special-Use Boundary for all to enjoy in 2005. As you ascend to the top of the the Monarch Crest Scenic Tramway, over 12,000 feet in elevation, you see unmatched panoramic views. Continuing south on the CDT, COT, Monarch Crest trail you will be back on the climbing for a while. Monarch Mountain is an equal opportunity provider and operates under a special use permit with the Pike San Isabel National Forest. The Monarch Crest is along the border between Gunnison and Chaffee counties, approximately 25 miles (40 km) west of the town of Salida.Â. Ornament, Moose, Skis, Ski lift, Monarch Crest, Colorado, Elevation 11,312 ft, Tramway. The Monarch Crest Trail is a must do mid-summer romp in the mountains for intermediate and above level mountain bikers. Request Free Travel brochures for Salida. Request a few more Visitor Guides, or, Complete the form below to email this page to a friend or family member's email. See our full. Segment 7 (and its logical companion, segment 8) are, in my opinion, the best and most scenic segments on the Colorado Trail north of the Collegiate East / West split. Monarch Crest Scenic Tram welcomes your furry friends on the Gondola. The typical Monarch Crest route, starting from the ski area, traversing to Marshall Pass. Click on any state to see what's available. This ride requires a bike shuttle as it is 34 miles in distance and an elevation of 11,983. Of course, you can still use the full version of Go-Texas on your mobile device just as you can on your desktop. Monarch Pass is located on the Continental Divide at the southern end of the Sawatch Mountain Range. To request your selected free visitor guides, please fill out the form below and click "Submit". Monarch Crest Trail is multi-use so riders may encounter hikers, trail runners and other users and should follow right of way protocol when meeting other groups. High Valley Bike Shuttle is your #1 source for bike shuttles and info on the Monarch Crest Trail and other mountain bike rides throughout Central Colorado. The Monarch Crest Trail is a must-do ride for anyone traveling through Colorado. The elevation profile makes it look like an easy 'downhill shuttle ride' while in fact all that high altitude climbing takes most of the time, and your energy, as the ride progresses. Searchable list of Salida tour companies, guides and outfitters, rental companies and more. Mirkwood is comprised of a variety of terrain and the conditions are off piste. Full information on Salida Tourist Attractions, Scenic Drives and other easy vacation activities…. From the parking lot at the Monarch Crest store, look for a dirt road that travel east from behind the gondola building for the Monarch Tramway. Due to the outstanding scenery, and a relatively small amount of elevation gain, this trail is considered to be one of the most popular mountain biking routes in Colorado. The reward is that you’ll enjoy outstanding mountain views in all directions. My content in the area: Bald Mountain & Banana Mountain, Boss Lake Reservoir, Waterdog Lakes Trail, Biking Monarch Pass, Marshall Pass, Mount Ouray and Maysville. A secret stash, where the adventure will test you against the forces of nature. Elevated Biking would be my two-word-summary of the Monarch Crest Epic ride. For a nominal fee of $25.00 cash/credit card, reserve a seat for you and your bike to be transported from Poncha Springs to Monarch Pass summit. Riders on the Monarch Pass Trail can soak in the vistas of surrounding 14000’ mountains and enjoy old mining relics are scattered along the way back down to the valley. Length 31.3 mi Elevation gain 2168 ft Route type Point to point Hiking Mountain biking Nature trips Walking Bird watching Forest Views Wildflowers No dogs Description We also have the following visitor guides in Texas. The first part of the ride is above treeline and is not technical in any way. The Monarch Pass Trail offers a unique biking experience, covering almost 40 miles of ground with only ten miles of uphill! The new building was built with a unique concrete structure that has 12 domes that total 10,800 square feet. 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. Select All. Click here to view them all! Three shuttles run daily at 8 & 10 AM. The transformative remodel and home addition completed in 2020 sits perched above the Pine River near Bayfield, Colorado. Copyright © 2020 Monarch Crest Scenic Tramway and Gift Shop. :) Commentary by Steve Garufi in Salida, Colorado. Return to Main Site, Climb to start, high elevation, long downhill, Descends 6000’, Climbs 2300’, High point 12000’. 11,312 feet in elevation is pretty ding-dang high. You will pass the junction of the Agate Creek Trail and Little Cocheyopa trails at 7.9 miles (MCE-07). More Visitor Guides are available in Texas. With an excess of 350 inches of snowfall per year, Mother Nature dictates opening and closing dates. Below are the Free Visitor Guides for Salida. Searchable listings of Salida hotels, motels, resorts, bed & breakfast, and more. Total climbing distance is about ten miles, total descent ranges from 20-30 miles. The stout climb to the crest … Monarch Crest at Summits on the Air (Amateur Radio) Weather and Snow National Weather Service Forecast NOAA Snow Depth Map Ascent Info Total successful ascents logged by registered Peakbagger.com users: 31 Show all viewable ascents/attempts (Total: … Ascend the dirt road behind the tram building and merge right onto the Monarch Crest Trail at the trail marker. Request these additional visitor guides selected below. 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