CDT: Monarch Pass to Hancock (CO Sec. 19)

Name: CDT: Monarch Pass to Hancock (CO Sec. 19)
Rating: 4.3

4.3 ( 3 )

Navigate on-trail with our free app

Trail

18.8 mile 30.3 kilometer point to point
83% Runnable
Intermediate/Difficult

Elevation

Ascent: 3,847' 1,173 m
Descent: -4,112' -1,253 m
High: 12,554' 3,826 m
Low: 10,463' 3,189 m

Grade

Avg Grade: 8% (5°)
Max Grade: 36% (20°)

Dogs

Unknown

Driving directions Take a virtual tour

Zoom in to see details

Map Key

To-Do's
Check-Ins

Trail shared by Michael Robbert

Navigate on-trail with our free app

Weather

Getting forecast...

Current trail conditions

Unknown See History

Popular runs nearby

Middle Creek Flyathlon Long Course

12.5 mi 20.1 km • Loop • 2,312 ft Ascent 704.79 m Ascent

Singletrack Saguache, CO

( 1 )

A couple hundred feet below the summit of Mt. Harvard.

Harvard and Columbia

14.4 mi 23.2 km • Loop • 5,628 ft Ascent 1715.37 m Ascent

Singletrack Buena Vista, CO

( 9 )

The Turquoise Lake Trail varies from sandy beach to packed-sand trail. You just can't beat the views.

Leadville Trail 100

102.0 mi 164.2 km • Out and Back • 14,637 ft Ascent 4461.48 m Ascent

Singletrack Leadville, CO

( 4 )

Grand Traverse Mountain Run

40.7 mi 65.4 km • Point to Point • 6,197 ft Ascent 1888.92 m Ascent

Singletrack Crested Butte, CO

( 8 )

Heading for our campsite by the pond after another long day.

Colorado Trail (CT)

497.0 mi 799.8 km • Point to Point • 72,536 ft Ascent 22109 m Ascent

Singletrack Roxborough Park, CO

( 3 )

Run this trail?

Add details to help others plan their adventure.

“A mix of service roads and singletrack in the high alpine.”

— Michael Robbert

GPX File

Features Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers

Section Of

Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT)

Description

The trail starts just west of and across the road from the gift shop at the top of Monarch Pass. You'll climb on singletrack around the west of the ridge. When you get to the sign for Old Monarch Pass, you'll start running some service roads along the top of Monarch ski area. There are lots of side roads so watch for CDT or CT signs on the trees.

When you leave the ski area, you'll be back on some technical singletrack on the west side of the ridge until you reach a high point where you'll drop down some steep switchbacks looking down at high alpine lakes. Shortly after dropping below tree line, you'll reach Boss Lake and then drop steeply below that.

You'll then cross a few forest service roads; again watch for the CDT/CT signs to be sure that you're still on the right trail. After a few miles of forested running, you'll come out to a clearing looking up at Chalk Creek Pass. Work your way up to the pass and then down the other side. Follow the trail past Hancock Lake; then it is a couple of miles down the 4WD road to the ghost town of Hancock.