Monarch Crest - 09/22/2007

I had really wanted to do Monarch Crest this summer but the logistics of needing a shuttle had always kept getting it moved further down the list. It finally came together that Amber and I got to head out there and do it - just in time for the Aspens leaves to be turning.

I asked around work to see who else might be interested and we ended up with a perfect little crew with Jon and Dave joining us.

We got going a little later than we had originally planned but it worked out really well as the trail head had a lot of people when we first arrived and they were well ahead of us by the time we finished driving a shuttle car back down to Poncha Springs (where we would finish).

Monarch Crest is 35miles of mostly single track. From the trail start at Monarch Crest Pass to the end of the trail where it joins highway 285 is 29miles of simply awesome riding. You have a few sections of fire road but even those are great fun as most of it is fast descending with lots of little whoop sections to play on.

This is the end of the first fire road section, it gives you a great chance to warm up and throws in a taste of the views to come.


One of the many, many scenic vistas you encounter as you ride across the crest.


We played leap frog with a couple of other groups as we alternately all to time to stop and take photos or recover our breath. Here above the tree line the riding was simply gorgeous.


The weather was perfect with blue skies and fluffy white clouds setting an amazing frame to the scenery.


It is sights like this where single track just disappears over the horizon that keeps me constantly searching for the next perfect single track ride. Monarch Crest is easily one of the best in the country so far from my experience.


A little game of leap frog never hurt anyone. The other groups we constantly passed and were passed by were all fun people and easy to chat to.


The conditions of the trail were perfect across the whole ride which somewhat surprised me since it was the end of the summer - but it really doesn't get any better than this.


Climbing one of the last sections of the crest.


Above the tree line.


Once you top out from the Crest you are rewarded with great downhill sections. Don't be tricked by the ride though as it has climbing all the way along the trail right to the very end. Fitness and strength are a good thing to have to make sure that the last part of the trail remains fun.


We didn't get very many photos of the descent sections as it was just to much fun to stop, but this section was great example of the faster non-technical sections. In and amongst the trees the trail tended to be steeper and more technical.


This is the end of the Silver Creek section and just before you join onto the Rainbow Trail section of the ride.


I really enjoyed the Rainbow trail section this time around, last time Amber and I rode it (2 years ago) we were physically wrecked from the previous sections. The riding had a great mix of fast flowing sections and fun technical pieces.

Oh, and it was pretty as well.

Amber


Jon


Dave


We were all starting to feel fatigued by the end sections of the ride as you were constantly riding up steep sections before flowing quickly down the other side.


The great riding literally just never stopped.


Neither did the smiles.


Although, we did have some mighty tired legs.


Back at the shuttle vehicle!

What an amazing ride, I can't remember a ride as epic as this or where you spent so much time with a smile from ear to ear.

Picasa Gallery: Sean & Ambers Monarch Crest Gallery