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A classic ski descent through beautifully-spaced trees off Monarch Pass.


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Map Key

0.4

Miles

0.7

KM

Ski Line

11,568' 3,526 m

High

10,790' 3,289 m

Low

0' 0 m

Up

778' 237 m

Down

36%

Avg Slope (20°)

50%

Max Slope (26°)
Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

Need to Know

Note: Recent logging activities to improve forest health in this area have created additional hazards in the form of stumps, slash, and stacked log decks. Tree removal may increase the risk of avalanches. Please use caution.

This line can get a horrendous sun crust on it in the spring, due to its aspect. It's best to ski this right after a good storm in mid-winter.

Description

This area affords endless laps of amazing tree skiing. Once you have found the zone, it's very easy to run laps through these trees. You can see the zone clearly from Highway 50 as you are driving up the pass from Poncha Springs, and it is best accessed from the top of the pass.

The best part about this zone is that all of the potential lines ends on a roadcut, which makes a great meet-up point for your group (especially if you get a little split up in the trees). This is a well-known zone and sees a lot of ski traffic on weekends with good snow.

Dubbed "The Perfect Trees" because, well, it just doesn't get much better, and when Monarch Pass gets dumped on, this zone delivers the goods!

Contacts

Shared By:

Chris Dickson with improvements by Andy Lerch

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 4 votes

#266

Overall
  4.5 from 4 votes
5 Star
50%
4 Star
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Ski Line Rankings

#74

in Colorado

#266

Overall
90 Views Last Month
7,047 Since Mar 19, 2015
Difficult

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Photos

Nice open trees with a consistent angle make this a great zone!
Mar 19, 2015 near Salida, CO

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
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Check-Ins

Feb 6, 2023
Trent Hillier
Apr 13, 2019
Antonino Del Rossa