Monarch Crest: Home of Smooth Single Track and Amazing Views
By Gary Gleason
Autumn may not officially start until Monday, Sept. 21, but I have always found labor day weekend to be the exclamation of summer's end.
And while many people mark the day with barbecues and family events, for the last several years I have spent Labor Day on the Monarch Crest Trail, one of the best mountain bike rides in the country.
Where is the Monarch Crest Trail?
It is a section of the Colorado Trail near Salida about a one-and-one-half-hour drive over Independence Pass.
The Colorado Trail is a 500-mile-long, high mountain trail that criss-crosses some of the most beautiful terrain in the state. Stretching from Denver to Durango, it crosses eight mountain ranges, seven national forests, six wildness areas and five river systems.
While some sections of the trail are rugged, the Monarch Crest seems to have a crew of special trail Zambonis that keep the single track as smooth as an Olympic skating rink.
The Monarch Crest Trail takes it's name from its starting point at the summit of 11,100 foot Monarch Pass. The ride climbs gradually from the paved road to it's high point of 11,910 feet, and alternately climbs and descends on your return to Poncha Springs.
The full route from the top of the pass back to your car covers 35 miles, including nine miles along the Rainbow Trail to the mid point of Poncha Pass. But there are two bail out points along the way, which makes it ideal for for any group with average to above average skills and strength.
Bob Mishata, owner of the Sinclair station in Poncha Springs, seized on the need for shuttle service to the top of the pass about eleven years ago. For $15.00 per person he will take you and your bike to the top of the pass, and can pack you a lunch for about $7 per person.
These Shuttles run at 8a.m., 10a.m., and noon, though it's a good idea to make a reservation(719-539-6089,800-871-5145).
The ride starts with a long steady climb above the timberline. Views of South Park to the north and the Gunnison Valley to the west make the climb more distracting than strenuous.
A fun traversing descent takes you back down below tree line and across a meadow to the old railroad grade. The waterbars down this grade make for virtual hop-fest before turning back north toward for the short but challenging climb up Marshall Pass.
At the base of Marshall Pass, you will come to a well maintained dirt road. If you are out of gas turn left to return to Poncha Springs. To the right, Monarch Crest continues with a long tough climb to Sargents Mesa, and a technical descent along Silver Creek to the Rainbow Trail.
The Rainbow Trail traverses a series of drainages to the mid-point of Poncha Pass. The descents are gradual and fun, with alot of side-hill, followed by short and steep climbs our of each drainage. This is a challenging section. Only superman wouldn't be hammered, but the views and descents are worth the pain.
At the end of Rainbow, you will intersect Poncha Pass.Turn Left for a short downhill ride on the pavement back to your car. After decompressing from the ride, there are several good brewpub restaurants in Salida, or the Mt. Princeton Hot Springs just a few miles off 285 on your way back to the Roaring Fork Valley.
