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80.4 miles
Distance
10,598 ft
Climb
-13,047 ft
Descent
2 miles
High Point
-2,449 ft
Altitude change
8,433 ft
Altitude min
11,308 ft
Altitude start
8,858 ft
Altitude end
-0.6%
Grade
-83.7%
Grade max
69.5%
Grade min
38 miles
Distance climb
38 miles
Distance down
4 miles
Distance flat
This ride is long, has multiple extended climbs, is at high elevation, and water sources are few. Bring plenty of food, lots of water, and ample layers. Weather can come in quickly in the high country, be prepared!
Put on your big kid pants, grab plenty of snacks, and earn your turns on five (more if you count parts of Rainbow Trail) amazing descents in a day on this grueling but amazing tour of the Monarch Crest area—South Fooses Creek, Crest, Silver Creek, Starvation Creek and Greens Greek. Don’t be afraid to ride your big bike with grippy tires and a dropper post to maximize the fun
Detailed Description
Monarch Mind Bender is a 80 mile popular expert route located near Salida Colorado. This mountain bike only route and has a extreme overall physical rating. This route includes 10 trails. This route climbs 10,598 ft with a max elevation of 11,965 ft then descends -13,047 ft.
Trail Issues on Route
- Significant Issue / Amber: 2 trails (newest: Sep 6, 2025)
Local Trail Association
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Stats
-
Distance80 miles
-
Altitude change-2,449 ft
-
Altitude min8,433 ft
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Altitude start11,308 ft
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Altitude end8,858 ft
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Climb2 miles
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Descent-13,047 ft
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Grade-0.6%
-
Grade max-83.7%
-
Grade min69.5%
-
Distance climb38 miles
-
Distance down38 miles
-
Distance flat4 miles
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Trails in Route
| 7 miles | |||||
| 4 miles | |||||
| 187 ft | |||||
| 3 miles | |||||
| 4 miles | |||||
| 11 miles | |||||
| 187 ft | |||||
| 1,552 ft | |||||
| 5 miles | |||||
| 6 miles |
Details
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Riding area
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Primary ActivityMountain Bike
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Difficulty ratingBlack Diamond
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Route TypePoint to Point
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Bike typeAM, XC
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Physical ratingExtreme
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Trail Conditions
- Unknown
- Snow Groomed
- Snow Packed
- Snow Covered
- Snow Cover Partial
- Freeze/thaw Cycle
- Icy
- Prevalent Mud
- Wet
- Variable
- Ideal
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Trail Flow (Ridden Direction)
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The colour categories are based on what percentage of users are riding a trail in its intended direction.
The colour categories are based on what percentage of users are riding a trail in its intended direction.
- > 96%
- > 90%
- > 80%
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- bi-directional trail
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Trail Last Used
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Trail Popularity ?
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Trails are compared with nearby trails in the same city region with a possible 25 colour shades.
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BC Backroad Status
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Photos
Videos
mtb
Perfect Intermediate MTB Descent off Monarch Crest | Silver Creek Trail, Salida, CO
trail: Silver Creek
15:35 | 18 | comments: 0 | favs:
Aug 28, 2026
mtb
1,800 feet of nonstop descent downhill singletrack Silver Creek, Salida Colorado MTB POV ASMR
trail: Silver Creek
18:11 | 110 | comments: 0 | favs:
Jul 20, 2026
Recent Trail Reports Along Route
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- By FullTrucker
& contributors - #58302 - 1,186 views
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