The Monarch Crest Trail to Marshall Pass ride combines all the magic of the Monarch Crest Trail with a non-technical descent to Salida. The road down Marshall Pass follows an old railroad grade which connected Salida and Gunnison in the heyday of railroad. The road passes through huge forests of aspen and gives you a good idea of the challenges faced by early railroaders as they tried to spike lines across the American west.

Trailhead Access: This ride requires a shuttle. Park a vehicle in Salida. Drive the other vehicle and bikes 22 miles west of Salida on US 50 to the top of Monarch Pass. Park in the huge lot beneath the gondola.

Location: Top of Monarch Pass to Salida
Distance: 37.0 miles – one way
Riding Time: 3.5 to 5 hours
Riding Surface in Miles: Paved 11.2, Dirt Road 14.9, Doubletrack 2.0, Singletrack 8.9
Aerobic Level: Strenuous – altitude and mileage
Technical Difficulty: Intermediate – Crest Trail; Novice – Marshall Pass
Elevation in Feet: Low Point 7,043; High Point 11,989; Climbs 1,384; Descends 5,629
Land Status: USFS, City/County, Private Land
Maps: Pahlone Peak, Mount Ouray, Poncha Pass, Salida West
Note: This is the easiest descent from the Monarch Crest Trail to Salida.

Follow the description for the Monarch Crest Trail – Out and Back route to mile 9.5.
9.5 At the end of the singletrack, turn left (south) on the doubletrack road. This is a scary fast downhill section with many huge water bars. More collarbones have been broken here than on any other section of the ride, so take care! Stay on this fire road all the way to the top of Marshall Pass.
10.8 Stay to the right on this sharp corner.
10.9 The road ends in a large parking area at the top of Marshall Pass. There are pit toilets here. Turn left downhill on the Marshall Pass road, CR 200.
11.9 Cross a long built up section of railroad grade.
14.3 Pass Tents Creek and ride through a narrow cut in the hillside. Huge forests of aspen trees glow gold in the autumn before and after Tents Creek (starting mid-Sept.).
17.4 Grays Creek.
19.7 Ride straight on CR 200.
20.0 Look west for an amazing view of the Sangre de Cristo range.
21.5 Stop at the intersection and look for cars. Continue straight on CR 200 following the signs to Poncha Creek.
22.7 Stay on CR 200 as it turns left and crosses a one-lane bridge over Poncha Creek.
23.3 Turn left (north) at the T-intersection and stay on CR 200. The Shirley Site Angling Parking area will be directly across the road. There are pit toilets here.
23.5 Stay on the road downhill and straight.
25.8 T-intersection with paved US 285. Turn left (north) downhill.
30.8 Enter Poncha Springs and pass the High Valley Center where they sell snacks. To Salida, ride straight on US 285 heading through town. Do not turn on US 50.
31.2 Turn right (east) on CR 120 which parallels US 50. Stay on CR 120 all the way to Salida. There is a bike path next to the road.
35.2 Enter Salida. CR 120 becomes Poncha Blvd.
36.5 Poncha Blvd. ends as you take a sweeping downhill corner to the right. This road now becomes 3rd Street. Pass Safeway on your left.
36.7 Turn left at the corner of 3rd and F Streets in the heart of Historic Downtown Salida. Ride 3 blocks to Sackett Street or wherever you parked.