MTB Project Logo

Part of the Colorado Endurance Series, an epic ride/race including 85+ miles around the Monarch Crest Trail


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

88.3

Miles

142.2

KM

65%

Singletrack

11,967' 3,648 m

High

7,435' 2,266 m

Low

10,554' 3,217 m

Up

14,424' 4,397 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

34%

Max Grade (19°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

Overview

This is an epic test of endurance, where you ride all of the Monarch Crest Trail , CT - Segment 15 (Fooses Creek), Green's Creek, Starvation Creek, Silver Creek Trail, Rainbow Trail #1336: Silver Creek to Mears Junction Hwy 285, and climb North Fooses Creek, Marshall Pass Road, Poncha Creek Road, and a section of the Monarch Crest Trail. All in a day!

Need to Know

If three black diamonds was an available trail rating, this route would have it. The official ride/race has an aid station at the top of Marshall Pass, which you cross three times throughout the day.

Description

Starting at Monarch Pass before sunrise, ride the Monarch Crest Trail to the CT - Segment 15 (Fooses Creek) drop in. Descend South Fooses Creek and at the bottom of the singletrack, follow the road around slightly, and head up North Fooses Creek, which progressively gets steeper until it's a loose hike-a-bike back up to the Crest Trail.

Next, continue on Monarch Crest Trail all the way to the top of Silver Creek Trail. Descend Silver to the Rainbow Trail #1336: Silver Creek to Mears Junction Hwy 285. Once at the highway, ride down the shoulder for approximately100 yards and turn left at Mears Junction towards Marshall Pass. Ride up the dirt road for a mile and a half until the beginning of Marshall Pass Road (200). The next 12 miles is a brutal, never ending pedal up the dirt road until the summit of Marshall Pass.

Then, ride up Starvation Creek 4x4 road past the top, begin descending the 4x4 road and be on the lookout for the Starvation Creek singletrack off to the right, next to a tree. Descend Starvation Creek. At the bottom of the singletrack, turn left and climb Poncha Creek Road back up to Marshall Pass again. Then head backwards up the Monarch Crest Trail to the top of Green's Creek. Descend Green's Creek, continue out CR220 to Hwy 50 back to Poncha Springs.

If you can still walk, you're doing pretty well.

Shared By:

Matt Giaraffa

Trail Ratings

  5.0 from 1 vote

#5

in Monarch Pass

#1286

Overall
  5.0 from 1 vote
5 Star
100%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#5

in Monarch Pass

#239

in Colorado

#1,286

Overall
3 Views Last Month
3,792 Since Aug 28, 2017
Very Difficult Very Difficult

0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
100%

Photos

Monarch Crest
Sep 7, 2016 near Whitepine, CO
The experience of 2 Spaniards in Monarch Crest IMBA epic. Truly a high altitude mtb experience!
Oct 19, 2018 near Whitepine, CO
Somewhere on the Monarch Crest Trail
Jul 13, 2015 near Salida, CO
There's snow in them hills!
Sep 25, 2017 near Whitepine, CO
Tight singletrack in the high meadows of Silver Creek trail
Oct 5, 2013 near Saguache, CO
Optional Fooses Fun
Jul 30, 2018 near Whitepine, CO

0 Comments

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

none

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.