Salida & Monarch Snowmobile Trails

The snowmobile areas around Salida & Monarch offer groomed trail riding, large meadows, snowplay areas, and steep hill climbing. Snowmobile trails are in the Rio Grande and Gunnison National Forests. Monarch Park also offers snowmobiling in daylight or moonlight.

There are three major passes that are generally traversed by snowmobilers. Marshall Pass travels through the Rockies via the abandoned Narrow Gauge Railroad. The pass travels 12 miles to the Continental Divide, reaching an elevation of 11,000 feet before it meanders toward Sargents. The trail abounds with snowplay areas. You can return back to the trailhead by traveling Poncha Creek Road.

Poncha Pass starts south of Poncha Springs on highway 285, located on the Continental Divide at 9,000 feet. Here you will find "open area" riding as well as fantastic views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range.

The North Fork trail starts on County Road 240, ascending a steep 5 miles to the Ghost town of Shavano. The trail then winds to the North Fork Reservoir, reaching an elevation of 12,000 feet before ending in the shadow of 13,150 foot Pomeroy Mountain.

The Heart of the Rockies Snowmobile Club in Salida hosts an annual New Year's Eve ride, traveling to the top of Marshal Pass. If you attend, you are encouraged to bring a potluck dish.