Continental Divide & High Country
Monarch Pass
Drive west from Salida to the Continental Divide, where alpine trails, panoramic viewpoints, and the Monarch Crest begin more than 11,000 feet above sea level.
Photo: Hogs555 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Cropped for display
High Above Salida
One of the Easiest Ways Into the Alpine Zone
Monarch Pass carries US Highway 50 across the Continental Divide west of Salida. The highway reaches roughly 11,312 feet at the crest, putting visitors high into the mountains without requiring a long approach on foot.
From the pass, trails follow the Continental Divide in both directions. The surrounding terrain opens into alpine meadows, tundra, high ridges, and enormous views across central Colorado.
Monarch is also the starting point for the famous Monarch Crest route, a major section of the Continental Divide Trail and one of the best-known mountain biking routes in Colorado.
You can stop for a short walk and a view, hike for miles along the Divide, ride the scenic tram above 12,000 feet, or use the pass as the starting point for a much bigger backcountry day.
The Basics
Monarch Pass at a Glance
Highway Summit
11,312 Feet
US Highway 50 crosses the Continental Divide at Monarch Pass, surrounded by high ridges and alpine terrain.
From Salida
About 20 Miles West
Follow US 50 west from Salida through Poncha Springs and up the valley toward Monarch Mountain and the Continental Divide.
Trail Access
Continental Divide Trail
Monarch Pass is a major access point for the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail and Colorado Trail.
Road Access
Year-Round Highway
US 50 is maintained through winter, although heavy snow, wind, avalanches, and maintenance work can occasionally cause temporary closures.
At the Divide
What to Do at Monarch Pass
Monarch works just as well for a quick scenic stop as it does for a full day in the high country.
High Alpine Hiking
Walk the Continental Divide
Trails leave the pass directly into high-elevation terrain, making it possible to experience the Continental Divide without first climbing thousands of feet from the valley floor.
Even a short walk away from the highway quickly opens broader views across the Sawatch Range and surrounding mountains.
Longer Adventure
Monarch Crest
The Monarch Crest follows the Continental Divide south from the pass toward Marshall Pass through miles of alpine terrain.
Hikers, mountain bikers, backpackers, equestrians, and motorcyclists all use portions of this route, so expect a genuinely multi-use trail.
Easy Scenic Option
Scenic Tramway
The seasonal scenic tram climbs from the pass to a ridge at roughly 12,012 feet, providing wide views without requiring a substantial hike.
You can ride both directions or ride up and walk approximately two miles back down the maintenance road.
Scenic Drive
Cross the Divide
Continue west on US 50 and descend toward Sargents and Gunnison, or return east toward Salida with changing views across the Arkansas River watershed.
The Crest Trail
Follow the Divide Toward Marshall Pass
The Continental Divide Trail leaves Monarch Pass and follows the high ridge south toward Marshall Pass.
The Forest Service lists this section at about 11.5 miles from Monarch Pass to Marshall Pass. Much of the route stays close to the Divide, with relatively modest elevation change compared with many other Colorado high-country trails.
That does not make it an easy hike. The route remains at very high elevation, water is limited, weather can change quickly, and much of the trail is exposed.
The Monarch Crest is also extremely popular with mountain bikers, particularly on summer weekends.
Forest Service Monarch Crest information →
On Foot
Hiking From Monarch Pass
You do not need to commit to the entire Crest route. The pass makes it easy to turn a section of the Continental Divide Trail into an out-and-back hike of almost any length.
Short Divide Walk
Start from the pass and follow the high trail away from the highway. Turn around whenever you have had enough elevation, wind, or exposure.
This is one of the easiest ways around Salida to experience alpine terrain without a major climb.
Monarch Crest Out-and-Back
Follow the Crest south for several miles and return the same way. The farther you travel, the more the highway disappears and the route begins to feel like true backcountry.
Monarch Pass to Marshall Pass
Strong hikers can travel the entire 11.5-mile section between Monarch and Marshall Pass, but this becomes a point-to-point route requiring transportation at the opposite end.
Two Famous Trails
The Colorado Trail Meets the Continental Divide Trail
Monarch Pass sits near an important junction in Colorado's long-distance trail system.
The Continental Divide Trail follows the crest through this area, and the Colorado Trail shares the same route along portions of the Collegiate West section.
For thru-hikers, Monarch Pass is also an important road crossing and access point between the mountains and Salida.
For day hikers, it means you can step onto a trail that ultimately continues for hundreds of miles through Colorado and far beyond.
Above the Pass
Monarch Scenic Tramway
If you want the high-alpine view without a long hike, the seasonal tram at Monarch Pass climbs roughly 700 vertical feet above the highway.
Top Elevation
12,012 Feet
The tram reaches a ridge above the highway with panoramic views across several mountain ranges.
Season
Summer Operation
The tram operates seasonally and can close temporarily because of wind, thunderstorms, or other high-country weather.
Walk Down
About 2 Miles
Visitors can ride both ways or take the tram uphill and walk back down the dirt maintenance road.
Mountain Biking
The Monarch Crest Ride
Monarch Crest is one of the best-known high-country mountain bike rides in Colorado.
Riders typically begin at Monarch Pass and follow the Crest before descending through one of several trail systems toward the Arkansas River Valley.
Common exits include Fooses Creek, Green's Creek, Silver Creek, and other routes that produce rides of very different lengths and difficulty.
These are serious backcountry rides. Expect high elevation, changing weather, technical terrain, limited water, and long distances between easy bailouts.
When to Go
Monarch Pass Through the Seasons
Summer
Summer brings the most reliable trail access, alpine wildflowers, hiking, mountain biking, and scenic tram operations.
Afternoon thunderstorms are a major concern on exposed ridges. Start longer hikes early.
Fall
Cooler temperatures and clear skies can make early fall an excellent time to hike the Divide.
Snow can arrive at the pass much earlier than it does in Salida, sometimes changing conditions overnight.
Winter
US 50 remains an important year-round highway, but the surrounding trails become deep winter terrain.
Nearby Monarch Mountain becomes the main recreation destination, while backcountry travel requires avalanche knowledge and appropriate winter equipment.
Spring
Spring arrives late above 11,000 feet. Deep snow can remain on the Crest into June even when trails around Salida are dry.
Do not assume that warm weather in town means summer trail conditions at the pass.
Winter at Monarch
Monarch Mountain
A few miles below the pass on the east side of the Divide, Monarch Mountain turns this same high-country landscape into one of central Colorado's major winter recreation areas.
The ski area relies heavily on natural snowfall and sits high in the mountains, with a base elevation above 10,700 feet.
In winter, Monarch Pass becomes the gateway not just to the ski area but to a very different version of the same landscape visitors hike and ride during summer.
Visit Monarch Mountain →
High Country Safety
Conditions Can Change Very Quickly
Easy highway access can make Monarch Pass feel less remote than it really is. Once you leave the parking area, you are traveling in exposed alpine terrain at very high elevation.
Watch the Weather
Thunderstorms, lightning, hail, strong wind, fog, and sudden temperature drops can develop quickly on the Divide.
Carry Water
Water is limited along much of the Crest. Carry enough for your entire outing rather than depending on finding reliable sources.
Expect Altitude
You begin above 11,000 feet. Visitors arriving from lower elevations may feel the effects of altitude before they have walked very far.
Know Your Route
Several trails branch away from the Crest and descend into distant drainages. Download your route before heading out.
Before You Drive Up
Check Current Conditions
Weather at Monarch Pass can be dramatically different from conditions in Salida, particularly in spring, fall, and winter.
Explore More
More Trails Around Salida
Head back toward town for lower-elevation singletrack or explore Methodist Mountain on the south side of the valley.