CDT: Monarch Pass to Hancock (CO Sec. 19)

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Features Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers

• Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT)

The trail starts just west of and across the road from the gift shop at the top of Monarch Pass. You'll climb on singletrack around the west of the ridge. When you get to the sign for Old Monarch Pass, you'll start hiking some service roads along the top of Monarch ski area. There are lots of side roads so watch for CDT or CT signs on the trees.

When you leave the ski area, you'll be back on some technical singletrack on the west side of the ridge until you reach a high point where you'll drop down some steep switchbacks looking down at high alpine lakes. Shortly after dropping below tree line, you'll reach Boss Lake and then drop steeply below that.

You'll then cross a few forest service roads; again watch for the CDT/CT signs to be sure that you're still on the right trail. After a few miles of forested hiking, you'll come out to a clearing looking up at Chalk Creek Pass. Work your way up to the pass and then down the other side. Follow the trail past Hancock Lake; then it is a couple of miles down the 4WD road to the ghost town of Hancock.