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An awesome, rowdy, moto descent via Old Monarch Pass with many creek crossings.


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Map Key

10.0

Miles

16.2

KM

Singletrack

11,776' 3,589 m

High

8,930' 2,722 m

Low

308' 94 m

Up

2,949' 899 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (4°)

23%

Max Grade (13°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Allowed

Description

This is an alternate descent from the Monarch Crest Trail that drops down the west / Pacific side of the Continental Divide. This is a long 10-mile descent that crosses Agate Creek seemingly dozens of times, so it's best ridden late in the season. A number of fast rocks and roots will keep your attention the whole way down. There are lots of moto whoops, rock gardens and bermed turns with about a dozen increasingly deep creek crossings.

This descent feels more remote than other descent options off of the Crest.

Start this ride the same as you would for the Monarch Crest Trail: From the top of Monarch Pass - US 5, park at the parking lot near the scenic tram building..

To start the ride, go up the dirt road behind the tram building. Stay right to get onto the Monarch crest singletrack. You are going to pass intersections for Fooses Creek and Green's Creek. You are looking for Agate Creek Trail #484, which will peel off to your right to descend to the west side of US 50 - Monarch Pass. From here, you descend over 10 miles of superb singletrack down to where you've stashed a vehicle on US 50.

Contacts

Shared By:

Zach Allen with improvements by Marcel S

Trail Ratings

  3.9 from 14 votes

#3

in Monarch Pass

#8322

Overall
  3.9 from 14 votes
5 Star
57%
4 Star
14%
3 Star
7%
2 Star
7%
1 Star
14%
Trail Rankings

#3

in Monarch Pass

#836

in Colorado

#8,322

Overall
6 Views Last Month
3,654 Since Jul 24, 2016
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Photos

Agate Creek meadow.
Nov 1, 2016 near Whitepine, CO
Agate Creek, one of the easier creek crossing. They get progressively harder and deeper.
Nov 1, 2016 near Whitepine, CO
The first of many creek crossings.
Jul 25, 2016 near Salida, CO
Helpful Guide to Mountain Biking the Monarch Crest Trail in Colorado.
Aug 28, 2023 near Whitepine, CO
A technical drop on Agate Creek.
Jul 25, 2016 near Salida, CO
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
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Check-Ins

Aug 27, 2017
Shane Tulp
Jul 17, 2017
Luke Stalker
Very little mud. Trees cleared. Water crossings still very deep and fast. Overall awesome. 10mi
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