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10.2 miles
Distance
1,005 ft
Climb
-1,556 ft
Descent
01:42:22
Avg time
-552 ft
Altitude change
10,842 ft
Altitude min
11,965 ft
Altitude max
11,393 ft
Altitude start
10,843 ft
Altitude end
-1%
Grade
-52.1%
Grade max
37.1%
Grade min
4 miles
Distance climb
5 miles
Distance down
4,232 ft
Distance flat
01:42:22
Avg time
Trail Details
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Activities
- Mountain Bike
- E-Bike
- Horse
- Hike
- Trail Running
- Dirtbike/Moto
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Riding AreaSalida
, Colorado -
Ref Number#9531
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AKACO18 - Marshall Pass to Monarch Pass Segment 15 - US-50 to Marshall Pass TH
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Difficulty Rating
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Voted DifficultyBlue (3 votes)
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Local Popularity90 in Mountain Biking [+]
- 95 in E-Biking
- 5 in Trail Running
- 75 in Hiking
- 65 in Dirtbiking
- 5 in Horseback
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Global Ranking#11077 in Mountain Biking [+]
- #8035 in E-Biking
- #60971 in Trail Running
- #1888 in Hiking
- #866 in Horseback
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Hiking SAC ScaleT2 Mountain Hiking
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Trail TypeSingletrack
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Bike TypeAM, XC
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DirectionDownhill PrimaryPopular Direction Shown
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Climb DifficultyBlue
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Physical RatingHard
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SeasonJuly - Oct
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Alpine TrailYes
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Dogs AllowedYes
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eBike AllowedYes up to Class 1
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Land OwnerUSFS
Monarch Crest is an epic High Country ride Super popular and for good reason. 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. The views are 360 and you can see down multiple valleys. After you top out, the descent towards Green Creek is fast and furious. Lots of roots, and super fun.
Trail Supporters
IMBA EpicSponsor
USFSLand Manager
Local Trail Association
-
-
Please consider joining or donating to the local trail association to supportDonate to earn trail karma!
trail development & maintenance.
Traditionally Indigenous Territory
Recent Activity on Trail
Past Week
- 13 rides
- 59 miles average
6 Months
- 103 rides
- 32 miles avg distance
All
- 524 rides
- Last: Sep 14, 2026
| c1 | c2 | c3 | c4 |
|---|---|---|---|
January | February | March | April |
May | June | July | August |
September | October | November | December |
CDT CT - Monarch... Trail Reports
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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
- Dry
- Very Dry
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.
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- > 90%
- > 80%
- > 70%
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- < 50%
- bi-directional trail
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- < 2 weeks
- < 1 month
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- > 6 months
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- Both Directions
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- Uphill Only
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Trail Popularity ?
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Directions to cdt-ct-monarch-crest-trail trailhead
(38.492780, -106.320240)
Photos
122 more »
Videos
21 more »
mtb
15:16 |
79 |
Aug 21, 2026 , Salida
mtb
6:51 |
526 |
Jul 26, 2022 , Salida
mtb
17:51 |
592 |
Apr 3, 2022 , Salida
Trail Lists
-
Continental Divide Trail475 trailsNational Scenic Trail or Official Route -
Colorado Trail (Hike)
88 trailsNational Scenic Trail or Official Route
-
Colorado Trail (Bike)
91 trailsNational Scenic Trail or Official Route
Routes with this trail
★ 4.2 • 35 miles • 2,660 ft • 5 • Point to Point •
The typical Monarch Crest route, starting from the ski area, traversing to Marshall Pass.
★ 5.0 • 45 miles • 4,565 ft • 6 • Shuttled •
This route takes the standard Monarch Crest shuttle route but adds more to it by going all the way into...
★ 5.0 • 16 miles • 802 ft • 4 • Point to Point •
Ride Monarch Crest Trail to Greens Creek
whoisadam
Rode this trail and came down Greek Creek, rode this trail again and came down Agate Creek, so cant comment on the trial past Agate, but the 7.5 miles of this trail I have done is amazing, probably one of my favorite climbs, grade is not too steep, some fun rocks thrown in here and there, bits of fun downhill. I recommend going down Green Creek, that trail is a hoot and way more fun than Silver Creek and Rainbow in my opinion. Green has hardly any uphill and is an action packed downhill all the way with many fun turns, rock gardens, stream crossings. Silver was fun but not as fun as Green and was over quick. Rainbow is more of a cross country trail with tons of ups and downs if you're into that, no real sustained downhills until you get to the end of it.
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Nearby Trails
- Monarch Crest Tramway 1,745 ft
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- By todd
Trailforks & contributors - #13954 - 22,252 views
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