Get out and ride! (the Crest Trail on Monarch)

Why do you mountain bike? For fun? 
Well, when I was little my dad used to drag me out riding... well, not really. I have always enjoyed riding a bike. I think it has to do with the serious mechanical advantage wheels give the human body. Being able to easily cover miles and miles of singletrack in the backcountry is awesome. Add in some friends and you've got a good old time. 

One of my favorite rides in Colorado is the Crest Trail to the Rainbow off the top of Monarch Pass. You have to do this ride at least once if you live in CO. You park at the top of Monarch to start the ride at over 11,000 ft. You climb a little to get above treeline (to almost 12,000 feet) for spectactular views riding across the high alpine tundra. Then you start dropping down, and down, and then some up and down to eventually end up 32 miles later in Poncha Springs (just outside of Salida). Overall you end up climbing about 2,000 ft, but get to descent almost 6,000 ft! 

There are a few shorter bailout options if the weather goes South (actually comes in from the West), but I highly recommend the Rainbow Trail at the end as it is some fun flowy singletrack. 

Don't forget to go into downtown Salida to get a burger and beer after riding as they have an awesome downtown. Hope to see you out on the trail!