Old Monarch and Monarch Pass

monarch pass sign

Monarch Pass is the highest point on the Coast to Coast US Hwy 50 at an elevation of 11,312′ .

monarch pass sign elevation

The Pass is located on the Continental Divide at the southern end of the Sawatch Range, approximately 25 miles west of the town of Salida.

 

Coast to Coast Hwy 50
Monarch Pass is the highest point on the coast to coast US Hwy 50 at an elevation of 11,312′ .

The Pass carries U.S. Hwy 50 over the Sawatch Range and the Divide.

  • Providing a route on the west side between Tomichi Creek and the summit, in the upper basin of the Gunnison River which flows into the Colorado River.
  • On the east side the road follows the South Arkansas River, a tributary of the Arkansas River, to the top of the Continental Divide.
  • A 7% grades exists in places, and the area is prone to heavy winter snowfall, often resulting in temporary closures during severe winter storms.
  • Ramps for runaway trucks are located about halfway down both sides of Monarch Pass.

Scenery

The pass is widely considered one of the most scenic in Colorado, offering a panoramic view of the southern end of the Sawatch Range from the summit. During the winter, visitors can enjoy skiing at Monarch ski area.

Old Monarch Pass Summit

Old Monarch Pass

Pavement Ends

An unpaved road over Old Monarch Pass, elevation 11,365 feet connects to U.S. 50 on both sides of the Divide.

  • Old Monarch Pass starts after you pass the Monarch Ski Resort, just before you reach the top of the paved Monarch Pass.

Old Monarch pass sign

Old Monarch Pass road can be accessed from HWY 50 on the east side of the summit of Monarch Pass, or from the White Pine Road, on the west side.

  • Old Monarch Pass at an elevation of 11,375′ was actually the second Monarch Pass.
  • It opened in 1921, and was engineered for ‘Automobiles’.
  • The original pass was a toll-road which opened in 1880.
  • It was traveled by wagon or stagecoach, and crosses what is now the Monarch Ski Area.
  • Today the first Pass is referred to as “Old Old Monarch Pass”.
  • Present-day Monarch Pass at an elevation of 11,312′ was opened in 1939.
  • Each new pass was re-routed to reduce sharp curves, increase safety, and shorten the distance.
Old Monarch Pass,
Old Monarch Pass, back when men were men.

The first two Monarch Passes were closed in winter, which isolated Gunnison.

  • By the late 1930’s, there was a need to have a pass which was open year-round.
  • In order to reduce the numerous hairpin curves of Old Monarch Pass and build the road in the sunniest locations, one or two local historic cemeteries were destroyed.
  • Also, the state highway engineer at the time, Charles Vail, renamed the pass “Vail Pass” after himself.
  • Local residents were outraged, and tore down all the new “Vail Pass” signs.
  • The governor finally stepped in and reinstated the name “Monarch Pass”.

Summit sign

  • The Old, Old Monarch Pass toll road was a stagecoach road which started as the mining boom exploded in the upper South Arkansas valley in the late 1870’s.
  • The road provided access to White Pine and the Tomichi mining areas as well as to the Gunnison country.
  • It was opened in 1880, and in 1881 it became a toll stagecoach road operated by the famous Barlow and Sanderson stage line.

Railroad up Monarch Pass

Rail line to the Monarch Limestone Mine
Map of D&RGW Rail line to the Monarch Limestone Mine

The D&RGW did not go over Monarch Pass, but up to a Limestone mine on Monarch Pass.

  • It had been converted to Standard Gauge and ran until 1985.
  • The old Monarch Branch of the D&RGW to the Monarch mine between Maysville and Garfield is a fun, little known ride.

Old Old Monarch Pass

  • The old old road ran up the South Arkansas valley through Maysville, Arbourville, Garfield, Monarch and Monarch Park.
  • From the upper end of Monarch Park, the road took a series of steep, sharp switchbacks and climbed up from the valley floor.
  • Through what became the Monarch Mountain Ski area before crossing the Continental Divide at the low point on the Great Divide ski run, at an elevation of 11,523′.
  • The current ski area maintenance road from the north end of the ski area parking lot follows the old, old road to the Divide.

Blacksage Pass Summit

There was a toll gate at Maysville on the east side and one at Black Sage Pass on the west side.

  • The road was only open in the summer months, as the winter snow made the route impassable.
  • Apparently, the owners of the toll road did not keep good care of the road and charged what was thought to be high rates.
  • In 1887 the county purchased the road for $1,400 and took over the maintenance.
Maysville Schoolhouse
Maysville Schoolhouse still stands
Maysville Schoolhouse
The Maysville Schoolhouse still stands at the eastern foot of Monarch Pass

Old Monarch Pass

In 1919, work began on a new, shorter, less steep and dangerous route which is known today as “Old Monarch Pass”, elevation 11,375′.

  • This new ‘old’ route was opened to automobiles in 1921, and the older route was largely abandoned. 
  • The new route merged with the old, old road on the west side of the pass at the top of all the sharp hairpin curves, about 5 miles above the Whitepine Road, and from there the hairpin curves crisscross the old, old road.

SINGLETRACK from the Summit

The old, old road is now a dirt bike and mountain bike trail, at least in the lower stretches.

Cochetopa Pass
Cochetopa Pass sign 32 miles south of Monarch Pass

The Continental Divide Trail (CDT) is Open to Motorcycles from near the summit of Old Monarch Pass to Marshall Pass.

  • You can ride east from Old Monarch Pass over to Monarch Pass on the singletrack Continental Divide Trail, the distance is about a mile.
  • And to Lujan and Cochetopa Pass 32 miles further south.
CDT
Continental Divide Trail east of Monarch Pass (click to view)
  • The CDT is Singletrack to Marshall Pass, a distance of around 12 miles.
  • From Marshall Pass you can tie into the Rainbow trail and make anywhere from 45 to 120 mile Singletrack loops.
Wankers
Wankers on the Continental Divide

Ride Monarch Pass at X Roads BV, the ADV Ride on the Divide and the Great Sand Dunes Loop.

Continental Divide ADV Ride

X Roads Buena Vista

Great Sand Dunes Hot Springs Adventure

Otto Mears Tollroad and Bonanza

Hancock Pass and the Alpine Tunnel

Marshall Pass Info

EXIT TOURS ADVENTURE TEAM