[anthonys]

The whole story and all the pics:

https://www.anthonysloan.com/monarch/monarch.html

 

[pfunk]

nice flargin photos! thanks

 

[NuMexJoe]

How'd you come to the 40 miles? Although I've never used a computer on that (or any) ride, the guidebook and trailmap both show it to be about 32 miles if you start at the pass, take the Silver Creek drainage to the Rainbow Trail, and then zoom down the highway to Poncha Springs. Is there a way to add some mileage w/o doubling back? Last year after finishing the ride, we crossed Hwy285 & continued on the Rainbow for a bit. That was a death march, and I wouldn't recommend it. Anyway, thanks for the beautiful pics of a beautiful ride. Looks like you had perfect weather and no threat of storms.
- Joe

 

[ibmkidIII]

Follow the rainbow trail past highway 50 and take it into Salida is the main option I know of that makes for 40....more sweet ST!!! I plan on hitting it this weekend.

 

[ibmkidIII]

If a picture were a 1000 words....

Lovely post, just lovely. So Jealous....so jealous.

 

[tberg]

Thanks for the passion hit. Gotta love the Colorado high country.
Todd

 

[billybobzia]

Nice!!

how long did it take?? plan on a trip last weekend of August for a day on the Crest and a day on Agate.

 

[rippling over canyons]

Where is the Agate trail?

 

[KRob]

Ah.......

Now that's just wrong!

Very, very nice. But somehow just so wrong.

Beautiful pics. Thanks.

 

[Trevor!]

Fantastic stuff.

I would kill for a warm sunny day (Its winter here...*sigh*)

Trevor!

 

[keypocket]

Unbelieveable...

What part of Colorado is that? I've only rode in Telluride and Durango. That looks amazing.

 

[NuMexJoe]

See Monarchcrest.com. It's just west of Salida.
- Joe

What part of Colorado is that? I've only rode in Telluride and Durango. That looks amazing.

 

[billybobzia]

Where is the Agate trail?

agate is on the west side of monarch - the rides starts the same as the crest but turn off a bit earlier and then it is a nice long descent, 13-14 miles. its a great ride as well, shorter, takes about 3-4 hours

 

[NuMexJoe]

Guidebook now available

While I was in CB I picked up a really nice guidebook for the Arkansas River Valley. Covers rides from Salida up to Leadville, and includes Agate and a number of other options off of Monarch Crest. It's written by Nathan... (rats - can't remember the last name), and one of the better MTB guide books I've seen. Any LBS in the area should have a copy.

 

[Bulldozer]

Thanks!

You saved me from posting a ride report of my own. We'll be riding Monarch Crest tomorrow. Heading up on the 8am shuttle....should be a little brisk up there.

 

[rippling over canyons]

agate is on the west side of monarch - the rides starts the same as the crest but turn off a bit earlier and then it is a nice long descent, 13-14 miles. its a great ride as well, shorter, takes about 3-4 hours

Thanks for the info. I guess if one was willing to do the long grunt up highway 50 after riding Agate, then, both Monarch and Agate could be done in one ride!

 

[dino]

sawweet...

Thanks for the great post.

It's been a few years since I've been on that trail...gotta git me some more of dat.

 

[CraigH]

Thanks for the pics!

I missed it when you posted it, but found the thread when searching for Monarch Crest pics.

Really like this one:

 

[sweetRDR]

Ahhhh, the memories....

Memories..... A buddy and I rode that trail last september - late-ish september so the Aspen were changing.... It was certainly Epic!

thx

 

[gonzostrike]

vurrrrrrrry naaaaaaahhhhssssss

reminds me of the Molas Pass to Coal Bank Pass ride I did outside DGO. superb pics!