FATMAP by Strava

Monarch Crest -> Starvation Creek

Salida

Beautiful old school singletrack through a deep valley.

Mountain Biking Severe

Distance
46 km
Ascent
513 m
Descent
1.7 km
Duration
2-3 hrs
Low Point
2.3 km
High Point
3.7 km
Gradient
Monarch Crest -> Starvation Creek Map

Most riders pedaling the Monarch Crest skip over the Starvation Creek trail on their way to the Silver Creek trail. Their loss, your gain!

Description

Well, if you plan to ride the Rainbow Trail all the way to the highway, dropping down Silver Creek and taking Rainbow Trail is undoubtedly the best route option—which is why that combination constitutes the classic Monarch Crest route. If, however, you get to Marshall Pass but don’t plan to ride down the Rainbow Trail due to time or physical constraints, the Starvation Creek trail is the best descent to take from that point.

This old school singletrack trail is a hidden gem. Beginning in a gorgeous alpine meadow, the singletrack drops into a deep, dark forest, descending rapidly through root webs and loamy singletrack.

Eventually the trail reaches the bottom of a deep valley. The grade mellows out as the singletrack swoops and flows along the stream.

A few sections of the lower section of the trail cross scree fields, with challenging up-and-overs creating difficult pedaling. The extremely technical portions are over quickly, the trail returning to swoop and flow.

Some of the sections of singletrack along the stream are very narrow and quite exposed, and a moment of inattention can lead to a long fall into the drink. But if you stay focused, this rarely-ridden trail will reward you with a feeling of extreme isolation.

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

4 out of 4

In the high mountains or remote conditions, all individuals must be completely autonomous in every situation.

Best time to visit

between July and September

Features

  • Flow
  • Technical
  • Shuttle-run
  • Road sections
  • Drops
  • Roots
  • Rock Rolls
  • Rock Slabs
  • Rock Gardens

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area