Bike Monarch Pass: 37 Miles Round trip From Poncha Springs to Monarch Pass
August 7, 2005
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Cycling in central Colorado is never easy,
but the rewards from mountain ascents like these are worth it. Today I biked
Monarch Pass on the east side of the divide for the first time.
I started in the Poncha Springs Visitor Center parking lot and
the round trip was 37 miles. The adjacent photo was my first, the view of Mt. Aetna
as I traveled west on Highway 50. |
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LEFT: I just love the Chaffee County slogan: Now this is Colorado! It's very fitting!
RIGHT: Hey! What's up with
C-DOT calling me "heavy side road traffic?!"
I've lost 20 pounds this year and my fat stomach is gone! Geez! :) |
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A few miles more into the canyon,
I found this bend in the road scenic.
The West Arkansas River runs through the canyon. |
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I reached an area known as Garfield.
There's a picturesque garage and the Monarch Ski Lodge.
It looks like a very recreational area, and I just might return back
soon to hike the Boss Lake Trail.
The Monarch ski slopes are near the summit,
and if you're looking for lodging, this might be a good place. Also, there is plenty
of motels in Poncha Springs and Salida. |
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Continuing to bike uphill! ...
Just look at these aspen groves! Wow! Now I *really* think
I need to head back here in the fall!
Some of my best aspen & fall foliage pictorails:
Wilkerson Pass Aspens
Fall Colors '04
Bonanza, CO
Cottonwood Pass
Autumn Pictures (2007-present) |
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To the south, note a mountain range ravaged
from mining. It's kind of sad yet scenic in its own unique way.
At this point, the uphill gets steep and I appreciated any scenery
to keep your mind occupied. ;)
Other pages in this particular area:
Bald Mountain & Banana Mountain
Waterdog Lakes
Old Monarch Pass
Monarch Pass
Maysville Schoolhouse
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At the Monarch Ski area, it's probably just another one mile up! |
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Just up from the Monarch ski area, I turned
back to get a view of the mountains looking downhill.
Here are all of my photos of the Chaffee County region:
Mt. Princeton Hike,
Biking in Buena Vista & Salida
St. Elmo, Buena Vista, |
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The summit has a gift shop & snack
shop with restrooms.
It was very helpful considering it began raining pretty hard for about 20 minutes when I arrived. ;) |
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To celebrate my arrival to the summit,
I bought a package of sunflower seeds and ...
Okay, okay, I got a little out of hand! :)
My other Colorado cycling pages:
Cottonwood Pass
Independence Pass
Trout Creek Pass
Bike Across America Ride
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I rode down very quickly and didn't stop to
take photos, except for this one at the top. Oooooooooh! 10 miles at a 6% grade! Not bad!
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