FATMAP by Strava

Monarch Crest -> Green's Creek

Salida

Green's Creek is the most relentlessly-technical singletrack trail dropping off of the Monarch Crest, making it a favorite of enduro racers.

Mountain Biking Severe

Distance
34 km
Ascent
278 m
Descent
1.5 km
Duration
1-2 hrs
Low Point
2.3 km
High Point
3.7 km
Gradient
Monarch Crest -> Green's Creek Map

Green's Creek is the most relentlessly-technical descent off of the iconic Monarch Crest Trail. While this singletrack doesn't have any major death-defying obstacles, the only time the rock gardens quit are when the roots cover them up or the trail crosses the creek itself. Dropping thousands of vertical feet, riders will be pummeled and brutalized by the never-ending drops and boulders. If you think riding downhill is easy, come try Green's Creek.

Description

While some riders will be turned off by the difficulty and the challenge, others will choose to seek it out. For dedicated enduro riders, the classic Silver Creek descent is just too tame--and for those riders, Green's Creek is the descent of choice!

While the cascade of often wet and mud-slicked rocks demands complete concentration, if you stop and look around you'll find that Green's Creek descends through a gorgeous valley filled with lush undergrowth, beautiful aspen trees, and a rushing stream. The beauty of this valley makes Green's Creek an appealing out-and-back from the bottom early in the season when the top of the trail is still snowed in.

If ridden as a Monarch Crest shuttle, the Monarch Crest portion offers jaw-dropping mountain top scenery from the top of the Continental Divide Trail. Traversing the ridge line for almost 10 miles, mountains spread out in all directions, providing incredible photo opportunities and enticing riders to simply sit and soak in the majesty!

The singletrack on top of the Crest is relatively non-technical and flowy, but once you drop into Green's Creek, it's an entirely different story!

Difficulty

Severe

Widely variable, narrow trail tread with steeper grades and unavoidable obstacles of 15in/38cm tall or less. Obstacles may include unavoidable bridges 24in/61cm wide or less, large rocks, gravel, difficult root sections, and more. Ideal for advanced-level riders.

Extreme Exposure

4 out of 4

Some trail sections are extremely exposed where falling will almost certainly result in serious injury or death.

Remoteness

3 out of 4

Little chance of being seen or helped in case of an accident.

Best time to visit

between July and September

Features

  • Technical
  • Road sections
  • Drops
  • Roots
  • Rock Gardens

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area