Aerobic Level: Strenuous – altitude and climbing 330 West Sackett Avenue Salida, CO 81201 Directions. 7.2 The water crossing the trail comes from a freshwater spring located about 20 feet uphill to the left. 7.6 Climb uphill through a forest of dead trees. To begin this ride we shuttle from Salida at 7,000 feet up to Monarch Pass at 11,312 feet! Monarch Crest Shuttle submitted 1 year ago by atx_brap Austin - Process 111 - Honzo ST ss Trying to ride the Monarch Crest trail near Salida on October 6th. In 2014, the gift shop celebrates its 60th year of operation. The Monarch Crest - IMBA Epic route starts on the east side of Monarch Pass. Absolute Bikes is THE bike shop for the Salida and Monarch Crest area. Leave your bike on the trail and do not ride it across the high alpine plants. 9.5 The singletrack intersects a doubletrack dirt road with a small clear area and old mine with white rocks. As a cyclist, we assume you know your personal abilities and limitations. Colors indicate trail is missing specified detail. High Valley Bike Shuttle Service Bike Rentals, Shuttles, Information on the Monarch Crest Trail 6250 Hwy 285 Poncha Springs, CO 81242 (800) 871-5145 www.monarchcrest.com. This is the drop-off point for shuttle vehicles. All cyclists and their companions assume responsibility for themselves. TOP TRAIL IN CO! And we aren’t alone in thinking so. Salida, CO 81201. The Monarch Crest Trail is one of the most well-known trails in the area and it’s also considered one of the best biking trails in the United States. The classic 35-mile route takes riders on the Monarch Crest trail to Silver Creek, then down the Rainbow trail to Highway 285 and back to town. One of the reasons that the Monarch Crest Trail is so wonderful is that it is very high. The Monarch Crest Trail to Silver Creek. A great way to ride the Monarch Crest Trail without a shuttle and tack on an amazing and challenging descent. Ride up the dirt road behind the tram building and climb a bit before finding the start of the Monarch Crest Trail on the right. Funds from the CORSAR program go into the Colorado Search and Rescue (SAR) Fund. The drainage lies directly to your left (north). 34 miles of singletrack in the Rocky Mountains. Gutz decent – SEASONAL CLOSURE (DEC 1 – APR 15) CR 108 to Sand Gulch section – SNOW. Absolute Bikes Brands; Demo to Buy Program; Bike Service; ... Salida, CO 81201 Directions. Hazards, natural or man made, whether noted in this book or not, can be encountered at any time under any situation. If you’re coming from out of town, they have a great rental fleet, and they have allyourother needs covered as well with supplies, gear, last minute service and most importantly, maps and trail info. Follow the Monarch Crest Trail – Out and Back ride to mile 4.5. Box 8 Poncha Springs, CO 81242 1-719-581-2702 Trailforks scans users ridelogs to determine the most popular direction each trail is ridden. Mountain biking in Salida begins–but certainly doesn’t end–with the Monarch Crest trail. This book represents nothing more than a guide to the trails and roads and is not meant to replace your common sense, your ability to navigate in the wilderness or in traffic, or your ability to ride a bicycle safely. The Monarch Crest Trail is one of the most popular and scenic singletrack rides in America. In addition, the mileages and routes listed in this text are only suggestions. 0.3 Turn right on the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) singletrack and sign the trailhead register. Options: Shuttle and sample one of the many trails that descend all the way to Salida – Silver Creek, Marshall Pass, South Fooses, Agate Creek or Greens Creek. The high altitude climbs are steep and often require pushing. Shuttles . The trail … The views stretch across the sky with the Saguache Range to the north, the Elks to the northwest and the San Juans to the southwest. In three visits to town, I’ve ridden the Monarch Crest trail every single time, and always as a shuttle. Monarch Crest Trail Shuttle; Shuttle Authority; Tariff – Rates; Sales & Service . Park in the rarified air at the top of Monarch Pass in the massive parking lot. Born from a love of cycling, Absolute Bikes Adventures has local guides who not only know the area trails very well, but are … Trailforks scans ridelogs to determine which trails are ridden the most in the last 9 months. For a nominal fee of $30.00 cash/credit card, reserve a seat for you and your bike to be transported from Poncha Springs to Monarch Pass summit. Share on Facebook; Share on Twitter; Share on Pinterest; Princeton to Cottonwood Pass (hot springs), Continental Divide Trail: Saint Elmo to Tin Cup Pass, Lost Canyon Road: Granite to the Columbine Mine, Salida to Mt. Most routes in this text are located on public land, but some trails pass through or adjacent to private land. I saw an Absolute Bikes (Salida shop) shuttle van drop off a bunch of riders 2 weeks ago, try giving them a call. Follow the trail through the meadow and into the trees on the other side. If you require search and rescue services, it can be costly. " Absolute Bikes is an award-winning full service bike shop located in the heart of historic downtown Salida. Distance: 19 miles – out and back Monarch Crest Trail Shuttle; Shuttle Authority; Tariff – Rates; Sales & Service. The tread is fairly smooth with a few roots. 7 AM special request shuttle is available for groups over 5. 18.6 Intersection with US 50. Trailhead Access: Drive west of Salida 22 miles on US 50. gtag('config', 'DC-1320480'); ". This route takes the standard Monarch Crest shuttle route but adds more to it by going all the way into Salida instead of Poncha Springs Local Trail Association Salida Mountain Trails ( salidamountaintrails.org ) For about 6 miles of its 11 mile length, the Crest Trail is between 11,950 and 12,000 feet elevation. Monarch Crest to Salida mountain bike route. Open Every Day 10:00am to 6:00pm 719-539-9295. info@absolutebikes.com. This is a good place to fill your water bottles. After you climb the dirt road and do a short climb, the views are amazing, and then more amazing as you navigate between small peaks. SubCulture Cyclery 129 North G Street 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. Park one car in Salida. Respect the land owner’s rights and obey all signs regarding trail use. 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. MONARCH CREST IMBA EPIC TRAIL - 4K - Mountain Biking Colorado // Must Ride!!! No one has been known to get ill from this spring, but be safe and purify it. Agate Creek offers up a full serving of skinny, loose, steep, rocky singletrack with lots of other obstacles thrown in … Why Buy From Us? The Monarch Crest Trail: Out and Back is one of the most popular and scenic singletrack rides in America. Monarch Crest Trail to Agate Creek: After riding the blissful Monarch Crest Trail, Agate Creek provides an adventurous descent from the Continental Divide. Ride at your own risk. gtag('js', new Date()); Please consider joining or donating to the local riding association to support trail development & maintenance. Pass the gondola, stay on the dirt doubletrack and climb. The singletrack after the rockslide is fast, treed and technical. Even if you don’t agree with everyone’s motives or methods of travel, please treat them in a courteous manner. Think of this as a heatmap, more rides = more kinetic energy = warmer colors. We want you to have a safe and enjoyable trip into Colorado’s backcountry. Marshall Pass – Poncha Creek Road loop – SNOW. The Monarch Crest starts on the east side of Monarch Pass. Open Every Day 10:00am to 5:00pm 719-539-9295 0.0 From the parking lot, climb the short blacktop road that leads to the gondola and reads “scenic ride”. Despite being a shuttle ride, there is still 2,000 feet of high altitude climbing on this 36.2 mile ride. Trailhead Access: This ride requires a shuttle. Located on the Continental Divide at 11,312 feet, at the base of the Monarch Crest Trail/Continental Divide Trail/Colorado Trail. Salida Bike Company Sales, Service, Rentals, Classes and Workshops 148 North F Street Salida, CO 81201 (719) 539-4466 salidabikecompany.com. Open Every Day 10:00am to 5:00pm. Phone: (719) 539-4091. monarchcrest1954@gmail.com. 7 AM special request shuttle is available for groups over 7. Be sure to read this list of equipment you should bring on your ride along with tips to make your biking trip more enjoyable. Explore the Salida Monarch Crest Trail; Explore the Salida Monarch Crest Trail. Your shuttle car should be here. Rainbow Trail: Bear Creek to CR 108 – SNOW. This is the drop-off point for shuttle vehicles. Make sure to review the Monarch Crest elevation profile. High Valley Bike Shuttle 6250 US Hwy 285 P.O. This is a steep 0.5 mile climb. Princeton Hot Springs Lollipop. window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; If that's a no go, you can always hitch. The most technical descent option from the Monarch Crest Trail. Occasionally the trail dips back into the trees and gets slightly more technical. Bike Shuttle to Marshall Pass - MONARCH CREST - Silver Creek Trail - Colorado MTB (Part 1), embed Monarch Crest to Salida route on your website. A good flowing trail network will have most trails flowing in a single direction according to their intension. 1.1 At the junction, stay to the right on the doubletrack heading uphill (south). Cross the small stretch of grass to the trail l downhill. Join us on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020 in Salida for this historic fundraiser benefiting The Alliance, which helps victims of domestic and sexual abuse. Monarch Crest Trail – SNOW. Head south on 285 for less than a quarter of a mile and park one vehicle at the gas station/shuttle parking area (they charge $5 per vehicle). Silver Creek Road/Rainbow Trail Loop – SNOW. Buy a Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue (CORSAR) card to protect yourself. Three shuttles run daily at 8 & 10 AM. 8.8 Cross a wide rockslide. This is the end of the out and back ride, so turn around and enjoy the ride back. Land Status: USFS Technical Difficulty: Intermediate – mostly smooth singletrack with rocky sections Elevation in Feet: Low Point 11,312; High Point 11,922; Climbs/Descends 1,068 We offer custom shuttles on several of the most popular routes near Salida, including the Monarch Crest Trail, Cottonwood Trail, and Rainbow Trail. We have everything you need: the best selection of maps, new bikes, rental bikes, guided rides, parts, and accessories. Note: This is the only ride on the Monarch Crest that does not require a shuttle. MONARCH CREST - PART 2 - Rainbow Trail - Colorado Mountain Biking - MUST RIDE!!! 719-539-9295. info@absolutebikes.com. function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} The Silver Creek singletrack provides more technical challenges than the Crest Trail, and the road to Salida at the end will put the final burn on your legs. 5.1 As you enter a small saddle, look for two small signs pointing to S. Fooses Creek. If a CORSAR card holder becomes lost or injured in the backcountry, the Colorado SAR Fund pays eligible search and rescue expenses. Riding Surface in Miles: Doubletrack 1.1, Singletrack 17.9 Now head up US 50 west to the top of Monarch Pass and park in the parking area on the left. Why Buy From Us? There may be variances and you may get lost. High Valley Bike Shuttle 6250 US Hwy 285 P.O. Published with permission from the guide book: The Local’s Adventure Guide to Singletrack & Tarmac – Mountain Bike Trails and Road Rides in the Upper Arkansas River Valley by Nathan Ward. 2.0 Enjoy the huge views on this sweeping lefthand corner. This route takes the standard Monarch Crest shuttle route but adds more to it by going all the way into Salida instead of Poncha Springs. Thank you for making Monarch Crest the BEST bike trail I’ve ever experienced. It climbs above tree line and traverses the mountains through grassy meadows and rock gardens. Follow the sign that points to the CDT. Consistently ranked as one of the top mountain bike trails in the United States, the Monarch Crest Trail delivers incredible high altitude singletrack and a long downhill that descends thousands of feet back to Salida. Get Absolute Bikes News! From Salida, head west on US 50 to Poncha Springs. Monarch Crest and Children of the Crest. For an adventurous overnight, bring a sleeping bag and spend the night in the lean to. Plus you can add on the Rainbow Trail at the end for extra fun — but be warned, that trail is not all downhill. Trails are compared with nearby trails in the same city region with a possible 25 colour shades. 1.6 Turn right to stay on the CDT. The High Valley Shuttle service offers two shuttles a day at 8am and 10am for $20.00 cash or $25 credit card and it … The Monarch Crest Trail is best ridden as a shuttle and begins at the very top of Monarch Pass just outside of Salida or Poncha Springs, Colorado on highway U.S. 50. #4: Eat and drink! The Colorado backcountry is popular - bikers, hikers, motorcycle riders, hunters and equestrians use the trail system in the Arkansas Valley, and everyone wants a private piece of heaven. Level: Advanced Mileage: 38 Time: 4-6 hours (one-way plus a shuttle) If you only have a day in Salida, ride this legendary trail that winds along the Continental Divide above treeline, then drops more than 4,000 vertical feet back into town. The same goes for wilderness areas which prohibit mountain bike riding. Riding Time: 3 to 3.5 hours The Monarch Crest Crank is a mountain bike event along one of IMBA’s Epic mountain bike trails - The Monarch Crest. 6.9 Enter a meadow with a lean-to hut on your left. Columbine Trail – SNOW. Shuttle Service. The Local’s Adventure Guide to Singletrack & Tarmac – Mountain Bike Trails and Road Rides in the Upper Arkansas River Valley, Arkansas River Road: Wellsville to Coaldale, Aspen Ridge to Chinaman Gulch (Buena Vista), Methodist Mountain to Poncha Pass (US 285), Monarch Crest Trail to South Fooses Creek, Monarch Crest Trail North: CDT to Boss Lake, Blank’s Cabin to Monarch Pass (US 50) Loop, Mt. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/monarch-crest-trail Ride up the dirt road behind the tram building and climb a bit before finding the start of the Monarch Crest Trail on the right. Monarch Crest Trail North: CDT to Boss Lake From the Monarch Crest this route follows the Continental Divide Trail northeast and climbs the shoulders of Bald Mountain (12,855 ft.). Gift shop, snack bar, wildlife display, forest service display, aerial tramway. Box 8 Poncha Springs, CO 81242 1-719-581-2702 The shuttle from the gas station in Poncha Springs has used up their permit for the year. We recommend everyone uses a GPS and topographical map to navigate. Bicycle riding is a physically strenuous activity with many risks and dangers. It’s like a whole new trail. This trail provides everything you are looking for in a memorable ride. Three shuttles run daily at 8 & 10 AM. Few rides compete with the Monarch Crest Trail. Trailforks scans ridelogs to determine the last time a trail was ridden. 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 trail zips through aspen groves, flower-filled meadows, along the stream and over rock slides. The route begins relatively flat and contours through pines. Occasionally the trail dips back into the trees and gets slightly more technical. The Monarch Crest trail is known as one of the most popular mountain bike shuttle routes in Colorado. Be prepared it could be a long walk out. The longer ride, which includes the Silver Creek Trail and alternately the Rainbow Trail, we refer to as The Classic Crest Route. Neither the author, nor the publisher, nor anyone else mentioned in this book are responsible or liable in any way for any accident, injury or any action brought against anyone traveling any route listed in this book. It climbs above tree line and traverses the mountains through grassy meadows and rock gardens. Option #1 High Valley Shuttle Service. The intended direction a trail should be ridden. With 2 riders, one of you can stay with the bikes. Maps: Pahlone Peak 4.5 Stop at the saddle and walk to the east for a great view of the Collegiate Peaks. Absolute Bikes. There are several variations of the trail that you can take that will allow you to ride up 36 miles of high altitude singletrack if you’d like. Monarch Crest is an epic High Country ride Super popular and for good reason. The first section of this trail is steep and technical. 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