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Primitive and steep singletrack that offers a shorter option than the traditional 'Crest experience.


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Map Key

4.7

Miles

7.6

KM

Singletrack

11,097' 3,382 m

High

9,091' 2,771 m

Low

0' 0 m

Up

2,006' 611 m

Down

8%

Avg Grade (5°)

25%

Max Grade (14°)

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Description

Starvation Creek is one of the "children" of the Monarch Crest Trail. The Starvation Creek Trail provides an option for those that want a shorter Monarch Crest experience, than the traditionally longer (but better) Silver Creek / Rainbow Trail ending. The trail is steep and primitive, dropping quickly through the Starvation Creek drainage.

Access the trail from Marshall Pass. Pedal south and turn left on Poncha Creek Road (FR 203), and then take a right on Starvation Creek Road. After about two miles you'll reach an obvious ridge and begin to descend, look for the singletrack on your right. The top of the trail may be overgrown; there is a Forest Service post about 30ft off the road marking the start of the singletrack. If you start climbing again on the doubletrack, you've gone too far.

The initial decent on singletrack is very steep, once you are down near the creek this rugged trail follows the creek closely until it pops out back onto Poncha Creek Road.

Contacts

Shared By:

Kevin League with improvements by Marcel S and 1 other

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 33 votes

#423

Overall
  4.3 from 33 votes
5 Star
52%
4 Star
30%
3 Star
18%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#136

in Colorado

#423

Overall
6 Views Last Month
7,563 Since Aug 8, 2013
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
0%
17%
21%
63%
0%

Photos

Marcel descending the upper section of Starvation Creek
Apr 11, 2024 near Whitepine, CO
Following the flow of the creek, lower portion.
Jul 4, 2016 near Salida, CO
Narrow singletrack and along the Starvation Creek Trail
Aug 2, 2013 near Salida, CO
Starvation Creek.
Sep 22, 2016 near Salida, CO
Starvation Creek - fall magic.
Sep 22, 2016 near Salida, CO
Aspen trees dot the Starvation Creek Trail.
Dec 22, 2015 near Salida, CO

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Check-Ins

Sep 25, 2023
Ryan Kohn
Aug 12, 2023
Clayton Lempp
Jul 16, 2022
Michael Thomas
maybe my favorite Monarch Crest option. relatively easy climbing and the descent is super fun and tight. especially towards the bottom
Jul 9, 2022
Nicholas Feliciano
Might be my favorite trail in co. So fast and fun this trail is what co is about.
Jul 4, 2021
Evan Baron
4.2mi — 49h 18m
Jun 8, 2021
John Pianezze
made alternate entry from CDT, which had a dozen snow drifts, that all required pushing through on foot. a half dozen trees across trail, but easy… 20.1mi — 4h 00m
Aug 16, 2020
Amber Kyle
Aug 31, 2019
Kiley Berry
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