Monarch Mountain is very excited to announce that is has purchased The Crest and Scenic Tramway at the top of Monarch Pass.Renovations will begin immediately to include a welcome …
Monarch Mountain is very excited to announce that is has purchased The Crest and Scenic Tramway at the top of Monarch Pass.Renovations will begin immediately to include a welcome center, retail store and food venue.Ample parking will continue to be provided for all existing recreation endeavors in the area.The business will be closed for the 22/23 winter season with plans to reopen in the spring of 2023.
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4.5/5 · 113 reviews
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44%
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1-star
12%
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Sep 8, 2023
Don't waste your time stopping here for family souvenirs. This store doesn't cater to families, only to their own interests. This used to be a fun stop for touristy souvenirs; decent priced t-shirts… Full review by hillystitcher
Aug 21, 2023
Traveling from the Royal Gorge Bridge to Montrose on Highway 50 we crossed Monarch Pass. When we left the Bridge, it was 84 degrees. When we stopped at the visitors center about 1 p.m. it was 58 degr… Full review by SneakinDeacon
Jul 25, 2023
Riding through and stoped to take pictures. Lots of parking, even for large rigs. There is a restaurant and store with lots of ski and hiking gear. They have a gondola ride year round. Worth the stop… Full review by Lisa J
I would like to know how difficult it is to go over Monarch pass in a 38ft motor home
A:
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 …
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. Driving Monarch Pass should not be approached casually. Those who do so may well be spending their last day of life. The approaches to the summit are quite long, roughly 6 miles on the west and 10 miles on the east side. The WEST Grade is the more dangerous because of no shoulder and fatal drop offs. Grades are steep, posted as being 6% in many sections on both sides. Each side has one or two ‘pull off’ places that allow a vehicle to get out of the traffic. Each side has 1 ‘runaway truck’ inclined ramp. Posted speeds (in DRY weather) are 45mph and in places 35mph. 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’). The road is only TWO LANE with three lane short sections in places. My technique is to downshift into second gear at the very top of Monarch Pass and let engine braking help control your downhill speed. 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. 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. From about June through October the general store at the summit will be open, with clean rest rooms, food and many available mementos. 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. My own last crossing was late October 2018.
Is it difficult to travel this pass in a 38ft motorhome?
A:
I go over monarch pass several times a year and I have seen several rvs and pull behinds on the pass. We have pulled a 27ft camper over it with a Chevy 1500. Just watch your speed …
I go over monarch pass several times a year and I have seen several rvs and pull behinds on the pass. We have pulled a 27ft camper over it with a Chevy 1500. Just watch your speed and keep low gears on the way down.
Is this a good place to ski and snowboard over the Christmas holidays?
A:
There is a ski area on Monarch Mountain. website is skimonarch Lodging is mostly in Salida or surrounding small towns. I'm not aware of an onsite resort. I'd recommend considering …
There is a ski area on Monarch Mountain. website is skimonarch Lodging is mostly in Salida or surrounding small towns. I'm not aware of an onsite resort. I'd recommend considering Crested Butte. I was impressed with their set up.
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