Old Monarch Pass is a popular snow … Old Monarch Pass Road is a 2 wheel drive dirt road that runs from just on the eastern side of the Continental Divide up and over and all the way down the western side. The second Monarch Pass road, today known as old Monarch Pass (the first being old old Monarch Pass) was completed and opened to automobiles in 1921 and at that point the original Monarch Pass road was abandoned. If you have some time take the lift ride ($$) up and get some great photos. Part of the TrekNow South Central Colorado Backroads CD. The gift store has food, gifts, and nice animal display inside, and clean bathroom. Loading... Unsubscribe from Butch Brininger? You will come back to … Old Monarch Pass is a 17 km less popular dirt/gravel road trail located near Salida Colorado. Beautiful views of the Rocky Mountains facing the east side of the divide. Winter has yet a couple of days until it's official onset, so this quick adventure happens to be the last of Autumn. by Scott | Mar 14, 2019 |. Map and road map of Old Monarch Pass . The discovery of gold and silver on both sides of Monarch Pass lead to the establishment of several towns including Maysville, Garfield (Junction City), and Monarch (Chaffee City). In January 1948, two Colorado organizations that were promoting Highway 50 merged into one group called the Colorado Highway 50 Association with Pueblo being the central point. View the interactive maps of Old Monarch Pass and get road maps, satellite maps and much more. This old road is accessible from Highway 50 on the east side of the summit of Monarch Pass or from White Pine Road (CR 888) on the west side. The road is well graded and the scenery is quite nice at the pass. But if you get the chance to drive its a beautiful pass … photos by Randy Bishop, 7/7/2007 during the Dirty Dozen ride The route follows what is commonly called Old Monarch Pass, a path begun in 1919 to shorten the original wagon trail through this area. The trailhead is near Monarch Pass, which is the pass over the Continental Divide on Hwy 50 between Salida and Gunnison. A short trail connects the Old Monarch Pass Road with the unimproved old toll road to the old old pass. 4x4 road traverses along Monarch Mountain boundary to Monarch Pass. GPS Routes, Waypoints, and Track Logs for the Old Monarch Pass Road in Colorado. Old Monarch Pass was the original pass for travelers between the towns of Gunnison and Poncha Springs. It is 18.2 miles up Hwy 50 and is very near the Monarch Pass Ski Area. Virtual Tour of Old Monarch Pass. This western portion of the road is in more authentic condition than the east side. Local Club: Backcountry Snowsports Initiative. Actually there is Old Monarch Pass Road and Old Old Monarch Pass Road (I'm serious). Family friendly xc-ski, snowshoe, sledding, etc. Featuring Bruce Bartleson and Dave Primus Many of you are probably aware of Old Monarch Pass that preceded the modern paved Highway 50 pass. The latter can only be hiked now. In 1919, the FSR 237 route, or Old Monarch Pass, was created to make a shorter path to Gunnison. Worst odds for a wipeout: Monarch Pass An average of 60 wrecks in the last three years makes this steep and high road between Gunnison and Salida your worst bet. One of my favorite tours is the quick ski up to Old Monarch Pass from the winter trailhead on U.S. 50 just east of Monarch Pass. A dirt road on each side leads to the pass. I haven't been over the pass in years and was a little worried about taking or small RV over it. Old Monarch Pass (Pitkin, CO) Old Monarch Pass is an easy scenic drive right off US 50, and an alternate route to staying on US 50 over Monarch Pass. Old Monarch Pass is located on the Old Monarch Pass Road (CR 237), which is an excellent dirt car-road. In good weather, a passenger vehicle would have no problems following this trail. There is a GPS - gpx track at the bottom of the page. The new Monarch Pass was oiled in the summer of 1940, and it was decided in April 1941 that Old Monarch Pass would be kept open in the summer for tourists. It opened in 1921, and was engineered for ‘automobiles’. Part of the Old Monarch Pass Loop is also a section of the Colorado Trail. 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. The road will curve to the East, but you will want to split off and start to blaze your own trail. The current road takes a different route up and over the Continental Divide and this snowshoe follows the old road. However the roads have been up dated sense my last trip over and it was a good drive not sure if i would want to tow or drive a large RV over it. This mountain bike primary trail can be used both directions. Colorado Department of Transportation reported U.S. 50 was closed from Monarch Park to the top of the pass for about two hours. With officers near, he shot himself. Before that, there was a toll road that opened in 1880, traveled by wagon or stagecoach, and crosses what is now the Monarch ski area. Old Monarch Pass Road. Continue due South over the first pitch known as Pass Bowl. Old Monarch Pass at an elevation of 11,375′ was actually the second Monarch Pass. Monarch Pass travel alerts, current conditions, traction laws, road work and more from Poncha Springs to Parlin including Monarch Ski Resort on US-50. Old Monarch Pass Butch Brininger. Modern mountain highways are expensive, moving mountainsides and filling low spots. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. The “new” road over the pass… 100.9 miles Monarch Pass to Lake City, less than 12 miles are on pavement and 10 of those are at the end. Find the best trails for mountain biking in Old Monarch Pass Road. It is a pleasant gravel road in the summer and a favorite cross-country ski route in the winter. … Old Monarch Pass Road. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from June until October. Scenery. Contacts. 0:31 Start, Old Monarch Pass … From Denver I went up to Buena Vista and over Monarch Pass, but this time I went over the old Monarch Pass road, abandoned when the highway on upper reaches of the Pass was widened and straightened. South Arkansas River to east. It can also be accessed from the White Pine Road (CR 888), off of HWY 50 near Sargents, on the Gunnison side of Monarch Pass. Old Monarch Pass. It’s a long hard steep run for sure. Numerous earthen barriers across the old toll road discourage 4WD use. Photo about Old Monarch Pass Road sign covered in snow, Colorado. However, for many years, an earlier route was widely used that traverses up the South Arkansas Valley through Maysville, Garfield, Monarch Park and up over the Continental Divide through what is now the middle of the Monarch Ski area. Monarch Pass is a good place for a break when traveling the 50. Monarch pass is a beautiful drive! During the summer, an aerial tram from the parking lot at the summit carries visitors to the top of Monarch Ridge above the pass (at approximately 12,000 feet (3,700 m) above sea level), allowing a wider view of the surrounding peaks. Lots of dispersed campsites along the way. This road can be accessed from HWY 50 on the Salida side of the summit of Monarch Pass. When State Highway 50 was built, the pass became "Old" Monarch Pass. However old Monarch Pass (the 1921 pass) is still used as a backcountry forest road for 4x4 and off road vehicles. 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. 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. You can go to the following to get the details: US50 - History of Highway 50 and Route 50 Likely to be far more information than you'll ever want! Beautiful views at the top! Easy and scenic. The Colorado Trail is known as one of the premier long-distance trails in the country, lauded by hikers, backpackers, and mountain bikers from around the world. This classic route over the divide is now a popular gravel mountain bike right. “Monarch called us and said he was threatening to hurt himself in his car,” Spezze said. Old Monarch Pass is 11,375' elevation, just a few feet higher than the modern one, but the road is much curvier. This route designed for automobile circulation was built in 1921. What you will See: Network of 4WD trails, scenic alternative to Hwy 50 Difficulty: Easy for passenger cars, road is graded and wide. Old Monarch Pass - Chaffee / Gunnison Counties - Colorado - 11,375 feet - On the Continental Divide Porphyry Creek to west. Trail Ridge Road, Rocky Mountain National Park Time Lapse Drive - Duration: 9:58. The 22-mile road opened in September 1921, and—fun fact—cost about $10,000 per mile to build. Old Monarch Pass road can be accessed from HWY 50 on the east side of the summit of Monarch Pass or from the White Pine Road (CR 888), on the west side. The original pass can still be seen on some topographic maps today, but is passable only on foot. Old Monarch Pass 38°29’48”N 106°20’17”W 11,375 FEET (3,467 M) GRAVEL SOUTH OF MONARCH AND WEST OF PONCHA SPRINGS Old Monarch Pass connects U.S. 50 on both sides of the Continental Divide. FR-237 north of Monarch Pass gravel - road bike, but dual sport is better. Old Monarch Pass Road mountain bike trails, maps, videos, photos and reviews. Old Monarch Pass RoadBuena Vista, Colorado Old Monarch Pass Road Published with permission from the guide book:Skinny Skis and Snowshoes – Guide to Winter Trails in Colorado’s Upper Arkansas Valley by Nate Porter and Nathan Ward. The pass is widely considered one of the most scenic in Colorado, offering a panoramic view of the southern end of the Sawatch Range from the summit. Autumn, beginning with the tinges of golds, reds and… The man then left Monarch and drove up to the old Monarch Pass. This 1.3 mile road to the top is the 1919 pathway taken over the Divide and is today known as Old Monarch Pass. Image of snow, roadsign, pass - 91997410