Frequently rated one of the best biking trails in the west, this long ride descends over half a vertical mile as it meanders from the Monarch ski resort down to the town of Poncha Springs. After some steep climbing near the route's beginning, the trail is mostly downhill, passing through high alpine meadows, conifer, pine, and aspen forests, mine and railroad ruins, and rocky descents. The Sawatch Mountain scenery here in the central Rockies is breathtaking, and the isolation of many trail segments means the wildlife is abundant.
Details
Location:
Between Poncha Springs just outside of Salida and the Monarch Ski Area
Length:
35.1 mile oneway
Difficulty:
Intermediate
Aerobic Difficulty:
Moderate
Time To Allow:
3 to 5 hours
Elevation Change:
-3500
Season:
July to September
Map + Directions
Basic Directions
From Salida, head west on US 50 about 20 miles. The trail begins from Monarch Pass at 11,312 feet, and climbs to nearly 12,000 before beginning the descent.
IdahoStart planning your Idaho adventure. Vacation is more than just scenery; it’s about making life long memories. Download or order the free Idaho Travel Guide here. Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested!You're all set! Complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
We also have the following visitor guides in Montana. Click on any additional guides you would like to receive.
Visit Idaho Idaho
Visit Idaho
IdahoStart planning your Idaho adventure. Vacation is more than just scenery; it’s about making life long memories. Download or order the free Idaho Travel Guide here. Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested!You're all set! Complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
We also have visitor guides available in states highlighted in blue below. Click on any state to see what's available.
Alaska
Arizona
California
Canada
Colorado
Hawaii
Idaho
Louisiana
Michigan
Montana
Nevada
New Mexico
Ohio
Oregon
Texas
Utah
Washington
Wyoming
Switch to Mobile Browser Mode
We offer a compact version of Go-Montana for mobile users, allowing you to access just the information you need on the road. Of course, you can still use the full version of Go-Montana on your mobile device just as you can on your desktop.