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Monarch Crest Trail Mountain Bike Trail
Salida, Colorado
MTB TRAIL STATS
Avg Rating:   |
15 trail reviews |
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Status: updated 8/2/09 by Gbaker312 |
Difficulty:  Intermediate |
| Length: 32 miles | Global Rank: 10 |
| Tread: Singletrack | Configuration: Out & Back |
| Ridden: 126 | Wishlist: 94 |
| Avg. Speed: 7.13 mph | Avg. Time: 4hr 23min |
| IMBA Epic Trail |
Directions:
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Description: This is one of the premier shuttle rides in the state and with good reason. With over 30 miles of mostly singletrack trails and all of the best scenery Colorado has to offer, this trail is a must ride. As a shuttle ride you'll climb about 2,300 feet (much of it above 11,000 feet) and you'll descent about 6,000 feet total. The first part of the ride is above treeline and is not technical in any way. 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). From here you can choose to descend down more fire road to the bottom or you can climb up the Rainbow Trail (recommended). Here you'll find some dense forest sections and some steeper climbs. Finally, head left onto the Silver Creek trail and follow this baby all the way down to a forest service road. The Silver Creek trail is pretty technical with some large scree fields, switchbacks, and some rough sections of trail. At the end of the singletrack you'll ride through a large streambed and out to the forest road. Go down a bit here until you see a sign for the Rainbow Trail. Here you can take the Rainbow Trail back to US 285 or stay on the road for a quicker descent. An awesome ride, do it if you get the chance but watch for thunderstorms and be prepared for a long day. Shuttle services are available, check the internet for more information. Trail is usually open (read: clear of snow) from July to August.
Description: This is one of the premier shuttle rides in the state and with good reason. With over 30 miles of mostly singletrack trails and all of the best scenery Colorado has to offer, this trail is a must ride. As a shuttle ride you'll climb about 2,300 feet (much of it above 11,000 feet) and you'll descent about 6,000 feet total. The first part of the ride is above treeline and is not technical in any way. 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). From here you can choose to descend down more fire road to the bottom or you can climb up the Rainbow Trail (recommended). Here you'll find some dense forest sections and some steeper climbs. Finally, head left onto the Silver Creek trail and follow this baby all the way down to a forest service road. The Silver Creek trail is pretty technical with some large scree fields, switchbacks, and some rough sections of trail. At the end of the singletrack you'll ride through a large streambed and out to the forest road. Go down a bit here until you see a sign for the Rainbow Trail. Here you can take the Rainbow Trail back to US 285 or stay on the road for a quicker descent. An awesome ride, do it if you get the chance but watch for thunderstorms and be prepared for a long day. Shuttle services are available, check the internet for more information. Trail is usually open (read: clear of snow) from July to August.
added on July 31, 2004 by 
SIMILAR TRAILS
Riders who liked this mountain bike trail also liked:Colorado Trail / Kenosha To Breckenridge in Breckenridge
Zippety Do Dah in Fruita
Kessel Run in Fruita
Mary's Loop / Horsethief Bench in Fruita
NEARBY TRAILS
- Rainbow Trail/ Silver Creek To Hwy 285 (silver Creek Loop) in Poncha Springs (12.3 miles away)
TRAIL REVIEWS review this trail
reviewed by Centurion on October 13, 2009
Excellent views and awesome singletrack. This definitely is, in my opinion, more difficult than the blue rating. The altitude is what gets you. Make sure to acclimate before trying to ride this. At sea-level I would agree with the blue, but with the altitude I am thinking more of a black diamond.
reviewed by sblackwell on August 6, 2009
Holly cow this is the mecha of MTB. My husband and I rode it last weekend and we still can't quit day dreaming of it. The up hills are tough and the air is thin but it's worth it for the beautiful senery and awsome downhills. This trail has it all hard up hills, fast down hills, different rocks, plenty of places to bunny hop and not to mention riding down the middle of a stream. Of course what better way to end a great ride (besides beer abd pizza) is an over nighter at a nearby hot springs.
Similar Trail: This one is hard to top!
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 LarryLooseNuts on October 5, 2008
Alright, I am throwing a flag on the rating system on this entire site. Not sure if it is based on user averages or there is some mastermind in an IT office but here's the deal. Any ride in excess of 30 miles by default is not intermediate! Especially at elevation. Yes, the trail is not too challenging for experienced riders (I do this in about 3 hours) but dude c'mon! If you looked at this site being relatively new and said "oh hey, Monarch Crest is just a blue...I'm a blue let's go" you'd be f'd. Anyway that's it. This ride is great. Very little technical. Amazing views and is actually closer to 40 miles. I guess you can get out around 30 but I am not sure where. I would add at least half a difficulty rating to any thing in here if you are a begginner or novice looking for advice. And of course read the actual reviews but the system is a little jenky. I guess the upside is that after slogging through a bunch of underrated rides you'll be a hammer head :) late
reviewed by biff on September 9, 2008
I've riden all over the state of Colorado and this is my second favorite ride [even over Hermosa Creek near Durango].
Similar Trail: Hermosa Creek near Duranog
reviewed by Goo on September 3, 2008
An INTENSE ride! If you are in the area, and have never ridden the Monarch Crest trail before, you have a new goal in life! Get here and ride this trail.
reviewed by SSSORT on August 7, 2008
The Monarch was closed due to snow in late June, so I opted for the Rainbow Trail off Rte. 285. A nine mile ride from the trail head to pavement. I ride in the Southeast and was very impressed. This trail has it all... climbs, rocks, singletrack, downhill, stream crossing. Stop and enjoy the ride. Took about four hours.
reviewed by Beaker on April 8, 2008
One of those rides that you will never forget! This is a challenging all day affair that will leave you tired and begging for more. The first 1/2 is some flat singletrack and a bit of high altitude climbing. The last 1/2 is what you came for! Virtually all downhill for the last 15 miles or so! DO THIS RIDE!
Similar Trail: Porcupine Rim/Hazzard Co.
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!
reviewed by RideorDie on June 4, 2007
This is truly a great ride. Show up rested and bring a camera. We did the Rainbow Trail at the end thinking "great more down hill" - WRONG! I don't recommend it unless you are in shape. The up-hill is gnarly in a few spots and most of your downhill with be on pavement at the end (I hate that!). I will definitely make this an annual event in mid to late summer. This ride has some of the nicest singletrack in the country on parts of it. Take the shuttle!
reviewed by BobinConifer on May 13, 2007
Monarch Crest-- what a ride. How many rides have there own website? Well, at least the shuttle service does at www.monarchcrest.com This ride is great with long stretches of rolling, smooth single track- much of which is above tree line. Really, the ride can't be rated too difficult since it has an enormous elevation loss along the ride, so it really is mostly downhill. But it is a great ride nontheless. Unless you bonk or otherwise like riding dirt roads, you pretty much have to take the Rainbow trail which adds a few more miles of fun singletrack through the woods and a nice meadow climb before a great decent onto pavement. The road back to Ponch Spings is all downhill pavement. A little drafting and you'll be back at the shack in no time.
Similar Trail: Agate Creek
reviewed by dirtcoach on December 4, 2005
Being my first review on this site why not start with one of my favorites. The ride has just about everything I like great views, climbs that can be tough due to the altitude, flowing single track, some rocks though I wish there was some big jumps and hucks on the way though the last ride a downed tree in Agate Creek made a good jump. I have done this ride Early Summer to late Fall though I have been rained on, snowed on sometimes very heavy so it is not recommended during this time of year, but always a good idea to be prepared with food and rain gear. The best time to ride is in late Summer, but it can get really warm towards the end if you started late. I usually do the shuttle trip Crest & Rainbow Trail Route 3 to 3.5 hours also with others around 4 hours. Definitely bring a camera
Similar Trail: Nothing else really like it, but Kenosha Pass is close
reviewed by bonkedagain on August 2, 2005
Definitely one of my favorite rides. You can get most of the grunting out of the way with the uphill at the start. After that is a great ride along the continental divide. Wonderful views, fun trail. Just get an early start (be on the trail before 9:00) so that you aren't on the top of the ridge when the typical summer thuderstorms start rolling in. When you get to the Silver Creek trail you can dive in for a fast and furious downhill on narrow singletrack, across scree fields, with some tree dodging. If you still have energy left continue on the Rainbow Trail, otherwise take the road. There is a pretty good bit of pedaling involved to finish the day on the Rainbow Trail so you want to be in decent shape if you choose that route. Hardcores continue on to Salida after crossing the highway. Inquire in Poncha Springs if you want to buy a shuttle ride to the top. Trust me, you will not ride your bike back up Monarch Pass. Another variant is to ride to the top of Fooses Creek and then take the Colorado Trail north to, say, Browns Creek or Chalk Creek. You will be tired, but it is a great ride.* Review edited 4/9/2007
* Review edited 4/9/2007
Similar Trail: Colorado Trail - Kenosha Pass to Breckenridge
reviewed by warrubi on July 13, 2005
The climbs s*** due to the altitude, however they are not that long and you are able to recover rapidly and cruise the flat sections. Great views on a great ride. This is a good ride for all levels. The asphalt ride back to the cars at Poncha springs is fun.
reviewed by carbon_bars on July 10, 2005
this is the most fun single track around. great views!! and just all around fun single track. the only tuff part is the rock slide portion and the elevation. this is a must ride for everyone no mater what your ability level
Similar Trail: there is no trail quite like this!!!
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