Monarch Pass

[Idahosummits]

First winter in Colorado and was looking at hitting a few peaks near Monarch Pass, like Mount Peck. Just wondering what to expect... pristine, untracked snow? A boot/snowshoe path? Or just depends based on how long ago the previous storm was?

[Barnold41]

Lots of snow.

[Reg0928]

Yep there's a good bit of snow up there right now, with more on the way tonight. Monarch Pass is a popular backcountry skiing area, though, so you may get lucky and find a skin track or trench to poach

[Idahosummits]

Yep there's a good bit of snow up there right now, with more on the way tonight. Monarch Pass is a popular backcountry skiing area, though, so you may get lucky and find a skin track or trench to poach

Knew there'd be plenty of snow, but your second sentence got to the point of the question. Thank you!

[Squirrellysquirrel]

Drove over the pass on Friday during the snow deluge midday; pretty much whiteout conditions and slow going. I was surprised to see several people suited up with skis and packs at the TH, unsure of what they did. Over the weekend and now for the next few days there's been much, much more snow added to the pass, but you might have a faint trench to follow around the Colorado Trail/ Old Monarch Pass road areas due to the traffic mentioned above.

[Idahosummits]

Drove over the pass on Friday during the snow deluge midday; pretty much whiteout conditions and slow going. I was surprised to see several people suited up with skis and packs at the TH, unsure of what they did. Over the weekend and now for the next few days there's been much, much more snow added to the pass, but you might have a faint trench to follow around the Colorado Trail/ Old Monarch Pass road areas due to the traffic mentioned above.

That's all I was hoping for, not having to break a winter's worth snow and utilizing some old trenches. That's good news. Thanks!

[SkaredShtles]

Yep there's a good bit of snow up there right now, with more on the way tonight. Monarch Pass is a popular backcountry skiing area, though, so you may get lucky and find a skin track or trench to poach

Knew there'd be plenty of snow, but your second sentence got to the point of the question. Thank you!

Just please don't posthole the skin track.

[England]

Drove over the pass on Friday during the snow deluge midday; pretty much whiteout conditions and slow going. I was surprised to see several people suited up with skis and packs at the TH, unsure of what they did. Over the weekend and now for the next few days there's been much, much more snow added to the pass, but you might have a faint trench to follow around the Colorado Trail/ Old Monarch Pass road areas due to the traffic mentioned above.

Yes, good times have been had in the area recently. Great for beginners.