The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from June until October. The original pass can still be seen on some topographic maps today, but is passable only on foot. Box 946 – Salida, CO 81201 – Ph:719-530-9063 Moving South on Old Monarch Pass road will eventually take you to the crest of the pass where you will see a USFS Continental Divide sign. Mailing: P.O. You will come back to this later. An 1880 “Old Old” Monarch Pass parallels the road a bit higher along the ridge to the northeast where nearby Monarch Mountain ski area now tops out. I had cell service and used the gps on the trail map or we would have never found the trail. The original pass can still be seen on some topographic maps today, but is passable only on foot. once you reach the point to where you drop off of the continental divide down to waterdog lakes the trail is almost indistinguishable. (Again I used gps) There were several camp sites down near the lower lake where we stayed and the views were great. Monarch Park, Colorado - Camping & Campgrounds. The view of the lakes from the CDT is well worth it. The road will curve to the East, but you will want to split off and start to blaze your own trail. 50 and C.R. Monarch Park, Colorado - Camping & Campgrounds. 1999.). In the spring and summer, after snowmelt, the wildflower-laden forest and tundra of the Old Monarch double-track can be enjoyed as a hike, on mountain bikes or via car, and camping spots may be easily scouted along the road as well. Old Monarch Pass / Waterdog Lake Loop is a 10.6 mile lightly trafficked loop trail located near Sargents, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as moderate. Copyright 1994 – 2020 Colorado Central Publishing, LLC. The Old, Old Monarch Pass Toll Road was a stage coach road. Download 235 Monarch Pass Stock Photos for FREE or amazingly low rates! Popular activities in the area include hiking the Colorado Trail and the Continental Divide Trail and fishing. 285 in Poncha, and look for a parking area on the west side of the road. Old Monarch pass has lots of spots but then you have to drive down all the way to poncha for the shuttle. Your browser does not support JavaScript! Use landmarks to navigate fresh content. Some loose rocks and gravel but we took our time and we’re fine. The next day our hike out was great, less than 2 hours back to parking area. Mid 20s from 800 fr elevation. As mining started to boom in the upper South Arkansas valley in the late 1870’s a road to provide access to the White Pine and Tomichi mining areas as well as to the Gunnison country, across the Divide was highly desired. Logophile and Places columnist Ericka Kastner thinks there’s nothing better than the kick and glide of skinny skis on a snowy Colorado bluebird day. I recommend continuing past the Divide onto the other side of the pass, at least a bit, so you can fully take in the spectacular views to the east and west. Can be hard to find parking near the trail head. (60ft wide) Once found the trail down to waterdog off the top was very steep and loose rocks for probably 1/4 mile, would be very sketchy if wet and your only way from there would be to backtrack or continue on the CDT. Getting stuck on top of a mountain completely unprotected with 35-45mph winds. 134,142,952 stock photos online. As I write this, a full moon is rising and will shine overhead this evening. Turned out to be a great loop for our first overnight trip, however there are some hiccups along the way. New users enjoy 60% OFF. Some days after hiking in the hills we would head over to the park along the creek and enjoy the cool air under the trees. Turn off your ad blocker to see a map of this trail, Hancock Pass, Alpine Tunnel, Williams Pass. There’s no place I’d rather witness this orb of night than at the top of the Continental Divide. It’s about half way up Monarch Pass on the Salida side, before you a make a right. Old Monarch Pass / Waterdog Lake Loop is a 10.6 mile lightly trafficked loop trail located near Sargents, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as moderate. Monarch Park is nestled at the base of Monarch Ridge, a short drive north of Monarch Pass. Help keep our trails and parks open during COVID-19 by committing to social distancing. Monarch Park is nestled at the base of Monarch Ridge, a short drive north of Monarch Pass. Walking along a beautiful stretch of the Continental Divide Trail was also really cool. And it was on Old Monarch that I first shared the wonder of a snowy night lit by a full moon on a snowshoe with my youngest son one New Year’s Eve and first Nordic skied with my daughter on a clear Colorado day. In 1919, the FSR 237 route, or Old Monarch Pass, was created to make a shorter path to Gunnison. My choice would be Old Monarch Pass, which is another route over the Divide. Home > MONARCH PARK. The route is a favorite in my heart for numerous reasons. I would recommend this as it would be much safer and the climb was not horrible. The 22-mile road cost about $10,000 per mile according to Alvin Edlund, Jr. (Colorado Central Magazine, Jan. View her work online at erickakastner.com. Counterclockwise would be brutal. Afternoon storms forced us to descend the trail down to waterdog. Please use a JavaScript enabled browser in order to access the full functionality of this site. Continue due South over the first pitch known as Pass Bowl. Camping in Denver area. While we don't offer reservations for MONARCH PARK, check out these great RV Parks and Campgrounds as close as 8.24 miles from MONARCH PARK. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. We both grew up in small towns which probably made staying in this small town with a downtown of about six blocks good for a while. We parked next to Old Monarch Pass and walked down to the trail. Here, too, I’ve celebrated an anniversary with my love, as we skied over the pass and onto the other side under the moon’s glow, enjoying one another’s company and trying to name the countless peaks to the west. It was pretty, but I wouldn’t do it again. From Gunnison and the intersection of Hwy. Some trails or park services may be closed this weekend so check with local authorities before heading out. Seeing Monarch during the summer was really cool. Old Monarch Pass Loop Trail The Colorado Trail . (For sure the best way) You will follow a portion of the CDT across the top of monarch ski area. The relatively short route to the Divide is ideal for a novice Nordic tour or snowshoe, yet offers an option to go further over the pass towards Sargents, challenging more advanced skinny skiers in both distance and uphill climb on the return. Campsites are easy to find on this 2WD-friendly road. Dispersed camping is available on some of the dirt roads on either side of the pass. (No turning back) once down off the divide the trail near the lakes is pretty much non existent also, but it’s easy walking down to the lakes. (Cool to see without snow) and the views from the divide are the best. The well-marked trailhead is easily accessed high atop the present-day Monarch Pass along U.S. Hwy. There is tons of free spots on the top of poncha pass where you can just park and camp. There are some great free and pay sites near ohaver lake which is near the top of poncha pass but lots of texans and rednecks who rip their texas wheelchairs up and down the road all day and night. 50 and U.S. Hwy. In winter, park your car and begin your tour here. There was a small section that was snow covered that hid the trail from view near the top also. A group of 8 boys rode up to the edge of the pond and jumped in. Boulder. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Page content has changed. It is on this historic pass that I once gathered with a dozen or so women to snowshoe, sip hot toddies from a thermos and marvel at the night. Some campsites at the family-friendly destination are located on the banks of the South Fork Arkansas River, while others lie along a creek. When it’s not snowy, it’s also easier to see the Continental Divide Trail crossing the road about a mile in. You’ll climb about 350 feet in elevation and reach the Continental Divide (11,375 feet) and the pass at a saddle about 1.3 miles from your car. In 1919, the FSR 237 route, or Old Monarch Pass, was created to make a shorter path to Gunnison. So was seeing the pretty lake and walking back down towards the road next to a peaceful stream. Salida Soup – Microgranting in the 21st Century, Railroads & Tourism in the Colorado National Forests, The Wheeler Geologic Area – Formerly Colorado’s First National Monument. Plenty of water available after you drop down from the divide. Not cool? 50 between Poncha Springs and Gunnison. Monarch Park, Colorado - Camping & Campgrounds. ©Colorado Central Magazine The scramble down to the lakes from the CDT is a bit hairy especially if it's rained recently, and crossing US50 can be painful as the traffic doesn't stop at all. 135, travel east 44.2 miles up and over Monarch Pass, looking for that same parking area on the west side of the road about 2.3 miles from the top of the pass. Only thing is once you get on the old power line road instead of cutting back and crossing the highway multiple times we took the old road straight to the highway and bushwhacked up about 300 ft instead of crossing the highway 5 or 6 times like the map shows. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from June until October. Subsequently, I’ve spent countless full moons skiing on Old Monarch Pass, a mere thirty-minute drive from my downtown Salida loft. Some campsites at the family-friendly destination are located on the banks of the South Fork Arkansas River, while others lie along a creek. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Backcountry skiers and snowboarders will also find gentle terrain for making turns on nearby northeast facing slopes upon reaching the summit of the old pass. We parked at old monarch pass road on highway 50 and took the trail clockwise. Travel west about 18.5 miles from the intersection of Hwy. – jump to top. Beaver ponds are near the entrance to the campground and make a great fishing spot for families with young children. All in all the hike was 10.1 miles and not too strenuous going in the clockwise direction. An 1880 “Old Old” Monarch Pass parallels the road a bit higher along the ridge to the northeast where nearby Monarch Mountain ski area now tops out. Also, the “trail” from the CDT down to the lake is a very slippery game trail and a boulder field.
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