The Monarch Crest Trail is consistently ranked as one of the best mountain bike trails in Colorado, and in the US, for good reason. It combines several trails into one 36 mile, 6,000 feet descent shuttle ride that traverses every type of terrain. From low brush and smooth singletrack in the high alpine climate to steep and loose descents, technical rock gardens and fast, buffed out trail riding through aspen groves, the trail offers a bit of everything for the advanced rider.
In the last few years, this has become an annual birthday ride for one of my favorite mountain bike friends who celebrates in early September. The leaves are just starting to turn yellow and there’s a crispness in the morning air. While I’m never ready to give up my bike for the long winter ahead, fall riding is magical. So is riding with friends. A great group on a long day makes the tough grinds just a little easier, the long miles more manageable. I wish I had enough room in my pack for a birthday cupcake, but I’m already hauling enough food and water for the day.
Don’t be fooled by the big descent on a downhill shuttle ride, as there is over 2,000 feet of climbing which is punchy and physically draining. When setting out for that first mile, it feels like there is so far to go, but eventually you settle into the saddle for the journey. It’s a ride I’ve repeated year after year because I enjoy the varied terrain and changing alpine environments as you ascend up to 12,000 feet and descend into a high desert valley. It’s a grind, especially once you reach the Rainbow Trail at the end. So stay fueled up throughout the entire journey. Pack snacks.
Stuff your pack with enough food and gear (rain jacket, bike tools), bring friends for laughs, moral support, and to address potential mechanical issues. But most of all, enjoy the ride.
Where is the Monarch Crest Trail?
Starting at the top of Monarch Pass off of Highway 50, the Monarch Pass Trail descends back to Poncha Springs, at the intersection of Highway 50 and 285 in Central Colorado. The artsy and outdoorsy town of Salida is a couple miles away from Poncha Springs. Salida great home base or place to refuel after the ride – there are plenty of options for food and frothy beverages.
How to Shuttle the Monarch Crest Trail
There’s two options for shutting this ride: self-shuttle or booking through a company. Personally, I have always self-shuttled. We pile bikes and people in a car or two and leave an extra vehicle at the bottom to ride back up. We choose to self shuttle so that we can leave on our own timeline.
If you need a shuttle, there are a few companies out of Poncha Springs that offer services. It is highly recommended to reserve in advance because shuttles fill up. High Valley Bike Shuttle, located outside of Poncha Springs, offers 2 shuttles in the morning per day. Absolute Bikes out of Salida offers one shuttle a day on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
When is the Best Time to Ride the Monarch Crest Trail?
Late June/early July through mid September is the best time to ride Monarch Crest Trail. The trail traverses through a high alpine environment at almost 12,000 feet and usually isn’t clear of snow until mid-summer. Plan your ride too late into the fall and temps start dropping and snow could accumulate on the mountain peaks. My favorite time to ride Monarch Crest is in early September. At this time, it’s still warm, but hints of fall start to pop across the hillside and summer crowds have subsided.
How Long Does it Take to Ride the Monarch Crest Trail?
Allow 5 to 8 hours to ride the Monarch Crest Trail (stops included in total trail time). The views are spectacular, so allow enough time to enjoy the scenery, stop for snacks, and to allow for any unknown issues (flat tires, extra photos, etc). Start early and allow more time that you think you need and to avoid afternoon thunderstorms.
Monarch Crest Trail Overview
Mileage (including Rainbow Trail): 36 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,035 feet
Elevation Loss: 5,890 feet
Max Elevation: 11,962 feet
Beginning from the parking lot on top of Monarch Pass, jump on the dirt road to the left of the tram building and follow it as it gently climbs uphill. Look out for a small sign on your right indicating the start of the Monarch Crest Trail. This first section of trail is a nice warm up, with a mostly smooth and rolling trail through heavily forested pine trees. After a short, punchy section of double track, the trail returns to singletrack with a few more obstacles in the way. Most of the trail as it traverses uphill and into the high alpine is rideable. Enjoy buffed out singletrack with plenty of rocks and roots along the way to keep things interesting, but no major obstacles.
Continuing past the treeline, the trail opens up with big views of the surrounding peaks and valleys below. High alpine riding provides beautiful scenery that is only available a few months out of the year, so take your time to enjoy the expansive views. Easy rolling singletrack traverses the ridgeline so you can take a quick look around. The views are worthy of a snack stop as you peak out on elevation for the ride. It’s a good idea to fuel up now, because the climbing isn’t over. While there are some fun descents, there are several more ascents in the journey ahead.
After you top out in elevation, there’s a fun downhill section that leads back into the forest. Continue straight when you pass intersections for Fooses Creek and Green’s Creek as it intersects the Colorado Trail. Eventually, you’ll hit a fast doubletrack that descends a couple miles to a dirt road. Ride south past the parking lot for about a half mile until you see a short, steep hill on your right. Pedal up the hill and look for a sign for the Monarch Pass Trail on your left. Back on singletrack, the trail meanders through the woods, continuing to roll both up and down.
When you hit the Silver Creek Intersection, turn left. Once you finish the final steep climb, take a break and refuel as you soak in the views of the valley below. Now the final downhill begins.
The Final Descent
The trail drops into some tight switchbacks with loose dirt and rocks as it descends into the valley. Straightening out to parallel Silver Creek, the trail becomes a mix of fast smooth singletrack, steep rutted descends, and loose scree fields. Riding along the creek and through aspen and pine forests, it becomes a beautiful colored canopy in the fall as the colors change.
After descending, the trail crosses a wooden bridge over a small creek. Continue along the creek for a short distance until you ride through the riverbed and then reach a forest road. Next, follow the sign for the Rainbow Trail for the final 10 miles of singletrack. Monarch Crest is a long trail and a taxing ride, especially once you reach the Rainbow Trail. On the Rainbow Trail you will encounter numerous punchy uphill climbs out of gulches that are near impossible but for the strongest riders to clean all of them. At the end of a long ride, this is where I’m most likely to hit a wall. But the downhills are fun, with smooth, big banked turns through the forest. Eventually, the trees thin out to more desert-like riding and technical sections of rock gardens and loose turns.
A series of narrow switchbacks and a few rocky descents characterize the final part of the trail to Highway 285. Once you reach the road, turn left as you head downhill for several miles to Poncha Springs.
Now, where’s the cold beer and ice cream?
Be Prepared on Your Ride
This is a long ride at high altitude, with plenty of uphill climbing and a technical descent. It should only be attempted by confident and fit riders who are equipped with enough food and water for several hours on the trail. It’s important to carry the right tools and knowledge to address any mechanical issues.
At almost 12,000 feet, it can be chilly at the top while hot in the valleys. Colorado is known for afternoon thunderstorms. It’s for this reason that I always have a rain jacket and another layer in my pack. It is advised to start early in the morning to allow enough time to complete the trail and avoid potential hazardous weather.
Check trail conditions and weather before you start the journey, and never ride alone. Yes, for safety, but it’s more fun with friends.
