Monarch Pass Area Hiking

Monarch Pass is one of the high mountain passes in Colorado at 11,312ft elevation cutting through a section of the southern Sawatch Range. Accessible year-round (weather-permitting) via US Hwy 50 from Salida, CO to Gunnison, CO, there are numerous hiking opportunities in this area, including the Colorado Trail and the Continental Divide Trail, both of which cross over Highway 50 near the pass. South of the pass is the last stretch of the Sawatch Range containing many high peaks (such as Ouray Peak, a centennial 13er peak at 13,971ft elevation - just shy of being a 14er), accessible mainly from trailheads on the east side of the pass or from parking areas at Monarch Pass itself.