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reviewed by medicdave on October 10, 2011
Rode this trail in Early October, after the region's first high-elevation snowfalls. With cold temps, high winds and snow in the mix, this trail becomes *extremely* challenging! Do not attempt alone, and be prepared with enough water, food, tools and parts to get you off the mountain. Our trip took over 7 hours - though much of the trail would be rideable during July-September, we spent a significant amount of time hiking our bikes.
After departing the Monarch Pass trailhead, the trail is composed of great, varied-terrain singletrack. Even with some snow, it is very rideable - but this changes quickly once it emerges above tree-line. If snow has fallen or is forecast, avoid this section of the trail and stick to the Silver Creek trail from Marshall Pass.
Silver Creek, even in October, was fun and challenging. Technical sections of obstacle-strewn downhill open into sweeping glassy single-track, big and fast enough to let you challenge yourself and your gear.























reviewed by JohnsXCbike on July 31, 2010
Just did this 7/30/2010, Amazing ride! Call ahead to check on weather, I did the 8am shuttle, any later and would have been caught in heavy rain. I took the Rainbow Trail route with a few other riders, its 34.5 miles that way(5.5 hours with several breaks), somewhere around 3880 feet of climbing, and 7300 feet descending according to the nice map we got at the High Valley shuttle place. I'm use to riding high-elevation trails, but if your not the altitude will make this much more difficult, the challenge for me was pushing the uphills, I did fine until the last few climbs, legs where just dead by then. Ran out of water after about 25 miles, got a whole in my tire sidewall(plenty of sharp rocks in some areas), was able to finish the ride but will have to replace that tire now. One girl on another group fell and broke her collarbone! This trail should be rated at least a black. There are fairly steep descents, loose gravel, loose rocks, scree fields, huge mud puddles, mud, pools of water, wet rocks, roots, wet roots, stream crossings. All kinds of different terrain you and your bike need to be prepared to take on. Very much worth it, I just gotta remember to bring extra water and an extra tire next time! Oh and the High Valley Shuttle people might be taking pictures of you, you may have to go to the gas station next door to find out where to get them.
* Review edited 7/31/2010Similar Trail: nothing compares so far..





reviewed by JohnsXCbike on July 31, 2010
* Review edited 7/31/2010









reviewed by steve32300 on October 5, 2008
I would have to say the trail rating system needs to factor in altitude because me being a clydesdale,the altitude made me feel like goin home a couple of time's.Although once we got over the top so to speak,it was all down hill from there.We both had altitude sickness and opted for the bail out route down the camping road.That's what I like sooo much about monarch though was the fact that we took a bail out route and still had a fantastic time riding down hill in the rain for what seemed like 2 hours.Weeeeeee,hahaha.Splashing through water puddles and wet rock's aside though,the ride itself is some real backcountry fairy tale land for sure,whats that song by the who,,,,,oh yeah,,,,I can see for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles.
I'll give the fair warning to first timer's on this trail,prehydrate and make sure you eat good the day before,it'll help stave off the altitude sickness and make for a much more comfortable ride.
Similar Trail: If you can find a rainbow,jump on it a ride it till you start feeling guilty for having too much fun,hahahaha.










reviewed by skibum on October 10, 2007
This is THE Mac Daddy. Epic, high alpine, maxing out the adventure scale. The shuttle from Poncha Springs is a bargain for what it gives you. There's a whole lot more downhill than up, but at 11,000 feet, it still takes solid effort. This will take you a long time to complete and the thunderstorms kick up around lunchtime almost every day, so start early. Bring more food than you think you'll need. Get the Monarch Crest map as it will prevent you from missiing an important turn--it actually has photos corresponding to all trail junctions. Although it makes for a long day, I highly recommend the Rainbow Trail segment back to Highway 285. Yes, it involves doing some uphills after you're fatigued, but the trail is really a roller coaster, so the uphills aren't long. There is really sweet singletrack here with some great views. I wasn't very fit when I did it and still survived. Bottom line, this ride should be on every MTBers short list of must-dos.
Similar Trail: Nothing compares to this!


TRAIL TAGS
imba epic