The Monarch Crest receives all the attention, however its the lesser known Canyon Creek that deserves more of that attention. Topping out at 12,600' not only is it the highest elevation trail in the Monarch Pass zone it is also the longest true downhill trail in the area descending 3500'.

Canyon Creek is a top alpine ride in my books, Ill gladly repeat this ride each season! Unreal eye candy all day long and your likely to have the trail all to your self! One of those downhills that actually seems to last forever! Get it on your todo list you wont regret it.

Best of Colorado MTB - Central - Sawatch

Canyon Creek - Sawatch

19 miles
+3,671’ - Climb

-3,691’ - Descent
w/ Kristin and Joel Ignizio

Interactive Map of Featured Ride:

Route highlighted in yellow
Click on ride title to open Trailforks App for further details
- including options to save the route to your phone

Canyon Creek - Sawatch on Trailforks.com

Alpine Mirrors - Kristin - with Tomichi Pass in background

Working our way up - the peak in the background is the trails highpoint

The Rides highpoint seen in the background

Mt. Elbert!! what a fine hunk of rock! Towering 14,433’ above sea level and covertly hiding one of Colorado’s better mountain bike descents! Starting the summer of 2017 and continuing through this summer the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative has been hard at work re-routing the East Ridge route from the Mt. Elbert South trailhead. The lower elevations up to just above treeline are now all rideable thanks to the now bike friendly re-routes. The re-routes then become extremely fast and flowy on the downhill, some primo singletrack!

We choose to start the ride at the Mount Massive parking lot, heading south on Colorado Trail Segment 11. The Colorado Trail starts with a warmup climb followed by perfect buffed single track, with a few speedy descents before meeting up with the South Mount Elbert trail.

The hike a bike "Hikyling" started at approx 13,000' and continued to the summit with just enough rideable sections sprinkled in to tease.

As for the descent it was one to remember! Classic alpine tech until tree-line, where the rocks disappeared and the single track neared perfection, buffed, fast and playful all the way to our shuttle vehicle at the South Elbert trailhead.

The Mt. Elbert - Shuttle undoubtedly made its way into the Best of Colorado MTB project as well the Best of North America MTB list