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Alliance Against Domestic Abuse

Crest Crank Trail Description

The Crest Crank covers approximately 20 miles of the popular Monarch Crest Trail.  You will begin your day in Poncha Springs with a complimentary breakfast of coffee, muffins and fruit, a bike safety check and shuttle ride to the trailhead at the top of Monarch Pass (11,312 ft).

The Monarch Crest Trail is considered the premier mountain bike ride in the entire 14ers Region!  It's ranked one of the classic Epic Rides by IMBA and one of Bicycling Magazine's top-5 rides in the entire United States.  The trail covers miles of descending singletrack over tundra-like terrain, across talus fields, through old-growth forests and high plains desert. This ride is one not to be missed, an impressive addition to anyone's mountain biking resume.

Your ride starts off from the top of Monarch Pass with a big climb. You will ultimately climb to almost 12,000 ft, so bring your lungs! Prepare to enjoy miles of wondrous single-track from Monarch to Marshall Passes.  The first 12 miles at 11,000 to 12,000 feet of elevation of the Crest Trail meanders along the Continental Divide; you will experience jaw-dropping views of the Rockies, including the Sawatch Range, Pikes Peak to the east and the distant San Juans and Uncompahgres to the southwest and west.  One moment you’re on what seems to be the edge of the world. The next, you’re flying effortlessly, silently through a dark green tunnel on a pine needle carpet. The scenery is absolutely beautiful!  You will descend rapidly to Marshall Pass on a four-wheel drive road and then continue descending along an old Denver and Rio Grande narrow gauge track bed, now a graded road, toward the finish down Poncha Creek Road to County Road 200.

After a challenging ride, plan to spend the afternoon at our post-ride celebration BBQ!  A shuttle will return you to Chipeta Park in Poncha Springs, where a delicious lunch, cold beer and prizes await!

Rating: Intermediate-advanced

Distance: Approximately 20 miles

Time: 3 - 5 hours

Elevation: Starting at 11,312 feet, the high point is 11,960. Total climbing is about 1,000 feet.

Trails: Single-track, four-wheel drive, and graded dirt roads.

For a more detailed trail description, click here.