Monarch Crest Trail, Pike San Isabel National Forest
The ride begins at Monarch Pass on the Continental Divide. It is at this point that water either flows to the Pacific Ocean or the Atlantic Ocean.
Mountain Biking the Monarch Crest Trail in Salida
Dramatic exposed rock field along the ridge.
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The headwaters of the Silver Creek drainage flowing towards the Pacific Ocean.
The Monarch Crest Trail flows along the crest of the ridgeline with dramatic views in every direction
Alpine lakes, meadows and forests at 12,000-feet elevation.
Wildflowers abound with the late season rains.
Incredible rock formations and mountain structures in every direction, inspire visions of impossible tectonic forces.
View of volcanic peak in background that evokes comparison to Mt. Saint Helens.
A group of riders makes their way down the trail.
Rachael Lopes working the singletrack.
Descending into the rocky lower elevations on Silver Creek Trail.
Sign in station. At 9am we were the fifth group to sing in for the day.
Rock field with massive peaks surrounding us.
Shawn Gillis of Absolute Bikes and Mike Segaski, retired Salida Ranger District Program Manager traverse through pink granite boulders.
Signage leading to Marshall Pass trailhead.
Silver Creek rock garden.
Shawn Gillis and Nat Lopes flowing through the trees on Rainbow Trail.
Lithic scatter or “chip flakes” from ancient native american stone tool manufacturing found near our lunch spot at nearly 12,000-feet elevation.
Huge flakes of mica in the surrounding rock.
