Get quick answers from Monarch Pass staff and past visitors. But I left it in 2nd, manual. Oh, and always bring survival gear. Is this a good place to ski and snowboard over the Christmas holidays? Old Monarch Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.464m (11,365ftt) above the sea level, located in the Rocky Mountains of south-central Colorado in the United States. Over the last 10 years, February is the single most dangerous month for avalanches in Colorado. Over a quarter of the fatal avalanche accidents happened during this month. Just take it slow. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. This 1.3 mile road to the top is the 1919 pathway taken over the Divide and is today known as Old Monarch Pass. One Year of Log Cabin Building / One Man Odyssey Building His Dream House - Duration: 2:10:36. The Monarch. This means that, while The Sovereign is Head of State, the ability to make and pass legislation resides with an elected Parliament. The road to the summit is unpaved, and chains or snow tyres can be required throughout the year. I went Rt 50 from Salida to Co. Springs. To never go it alone, never at night or near dusk, never in high risk areas, and avoid going outside of common areas. Monarch Pass is a high mountain pass that rises to an elevation of 11,312 feet along the Continental Divide. The road to the summit is unpaved, and chains or snow tyres can be required throughout the year. It is a pleasant gravel road in the summer and a favorite cross-country ski route in the winter. Right now, the danger is pretty high in most areas west of the Divide, but is highest across the Elk Mountains, and the San Juans…in both the San Juan and Rio Grand Forests. Copyright 2020 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. It is located about 30 minutes outside of the mountain town of Salida and connects drivers to Gunnison. I would like to know how difficult it is to go over Monarch pass in a 38ft motor home. Grades are steep, posted as being 6% in many sections on both sides. Monarch Pass is one of the most breathtaking and fun to visit high elevation mountain passes in Colorado. Zoom in to see updated info. Danger spots are along the way w/o guard rails. Do you know any spectacular road?Click here to send us all the info, and we'll publish it! So that pretty much killed that fluid(300-320 is max) I switched to synthetic when I got home. COLORADO – Over the last 10 years, February is the single most dangerous month for avalanches in Colorado. Driving Monarch Pass should not be approached casually. Best advice? I have a 3500 lb. My technique is to downshift into second gear at the very top of Monarch Pass and let engine braking help control your downhill speed. Is it difficult to travel this pass in a 38ft motorhome? That was the only issue I had. How will the pass be to travel over end of July in afternoon? 17fq single axle trailer on my Silverado 1500 5.3 engine 4x4. How long does it take to get over the monarch pass. Having the trailer mode helped a lot! Air temp was in the 50’s. I can answer this question with complete accuracy because I have driven over Monarch Pass dozens of times, as I have a home in Gunnison, Colorado, about 50 miles west of Monarch. (with a cooler) hit 253 and then the engine temp matched it. Today’s avalanche at Monarch pass fits right in to this high risk area. Check with a local ranger station for current conditions. This stretch of road should not be attempted by novice drivers. The WEST Grade is the more dangerous because of no shoulder and fatal drop offs. Each side has 1 ‘runaway truck’ inclined ramp. My very first encounter with the danger of driving Monarch Pass was one night during the mid 1980s when a driver, having just crossed Monarch, told of a companion vehicle having that night gone over the edge and into the canyon, killing all occupants. We would like to break that pattern, but that requires your active participation. Posted speeds (in DRY weather) are 45mph and in places 35mph. Monarchy is the oldest form of government in the United Kingdom, with a king or queen as Head of State. US Highway 50 between Salida and Gunnison Colorado. We want your experiences too! The road is only TWO LANE with three lane short sections in places. Map updates are paused. It’s a long hard steep run for sure. Monarch Pass, Colorado: Ride along in this winter wonderland! more. Just pay attention and don’t get distracted! Old Monarch Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.464m (11,365ftt) above the sea level, located in the Rocky Mountains of south-central Colorado in the United States. It’s a second gear run the whole way(20 mph) the trans temp. Each side has one or two ‘pull off’ places that allow a vehicle to get out of the traffic. Share YOUR roads!We've more than 13.000 roads but we want more! Those electric fans need to be reprogrammed for full voltage at 205 not 220. Monarch Pass, Monarch: "I would like to know how difficult it is to go..." | Check out answers, plus see 103 reviews, articles, and 79 photos of Monarch Pass, ranked No.2 on Tripadvisor among 3 attractions in Monarch. Onsite, there is a weather station, a gift shop, an aerial tram, and the Monarch Mountain Ski Resort. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The approaches to the summit are quite long, roughly 6 miles on the west and 10 miles on the east side. This stretch of road should not be attempted by novice drivers. Located approximately a 30 minute drive west from Salida, Monarch Pass sits at 11,312 along the Great Continental Divide. Those who do so may well be spending their last day of life. If driving a motor home or pulling a trailer try to plan your crossing to be done in early morning when the air temperature is lower, if crossing during summer months, as radiator overheating is a significant concern. It's notorious for its cliffs and can become quite dangerous when winter weather is present. Periodically flooded roads around the world, Privacy Policy | Advertise page | Terms and conditions of use | Cookie Policy | About us | Contact, Boner Bridge, the oldest iron bridge in Indiana, Travel Guide to Baker Lake, in Washington, Daisy Pass, a truly outstanding 4x4 adventure, Fisher Mountain: this drive is not for timid drivers, Sheep Mountain, a road you'll never forget in Montana, Lulu Pass is worth the white-knuckle drive, If you love to drive, you will love the Conor Pass road. Over a quarter of the fatal avalanche accidents happened during this month. My own last crossing was late October 2018. Most drivers exceed posted speeds which is pure stupidity as there are sections with NO guardrails, and where you’ll fall HUNDREDS of feet before you hit bottom (Think ‘driving off the top of a 50 story building’). ALSO when going downhill put on your ‘slow moving vehicle’ flashers as I have found this is the most effective way to keep speeding vehicles from trying to ‘push’ you down the mountain at their dangerous speeds. The wife has the best seat! The map above, you can find  Denver, Springs, Pueblo. However, heavy rainfalls occasionally wash out the east entrance to the pass. The British monarchy is known as a constitutional monarchy. I was amazed and caught off guard by this Pass! Some single track off Old Monarch Pass. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. This road can be traversed by passenger vehicles at most times during the summer and early fall months. Location: Monarch Pass Distance: 5.7 Miles – Out & Back with Small Loop Travel Time: 1.5 – 2.5 Hours Type of Trail: Road Aerobic Level: Moderate – Altitude Technical Difficulty: Ski – Intermediate; Shoe – Novice Avalanche Danger: Minimal – only during periods of high hazard. From about June through October the general store at the summit will be open, with clean rest rooms, food and many available mementos. Nik Rijavec Recommended for you This morning’s avalanche at Monarch Pass is a reminder that this is a serious issue, and can only be mitigated by doing snow-related activities at times and places where they are designed to take place.