Monarch Pass in ColoradoJune 10 through 13 2006: We are in Pueblo West Campground N38° 20.522 W104° 43.097'. Pueblo West Campground is located on US-50 about 5-miles west of I-25. It is totally gravel with huge pull-thru sites (trees are limited); 50-amps, water and sewer, $20 per-night 719-547-9887. This is a combination campground and equestrian facility. We are taking a scenic drive to Monarch Pass today. To get to Monarch Pass from Pueblo we head west on US-50 through Canon City, Skyline Drive, Royal Gorge, Parkdale and Salida make our way to the Continental Divide at Monarch Pass. Monarch Pass
Stunning scenery is around every turn on the way up Monarch Pass.
Steep Grade Monarch Pass
The steep grade up to Monarch Pass goes on and on forever.
Large limestone Mine near Monarch Pass
Near Monarch pass a large mine becomes visible. They are mining this massive cliff of gray limestone that is used in the iron company smelting plant in Pueblo where it is used as a furnace flux. Mixed with iron ore it helps to convert impurities in the red hot, molten ore into liquid slag, a foamy, lava-like material that can be floated off and discarded. Madonna Mine Near Monarach Pass
This is the Madonna Mine, which used to produce , lead, zinc and silver. Mine tours are available that take you about 1,500 feet into the mountain. Another mine, near MM 227 is producing travertine a hotspring deposit composed largely of calcite. The product from this quarry is used as a soil conditioner.
Monarach Pass in Colorado
Monarch Pass is one of Colorado's better known passes.
Eleavation Monarach Pass
Tram Ride Monarach Pass
We thought about this tram ride but time would not permit. It looks like fun, possibly another time. The price is right. Cirque visible from Monarch Pass
This picture taken while on Monarch Pass is a perfect example of a cirque. Cirques are deep, steep-walled, usually semicircular scoop in a mountain excavated by the head of a glacier. Click here to learn more about cirques. From Monarch Pass we doubled back on US-50 to Poncha Springs where we headed north on US-285 following the Arkansas River to the intersection of US-24. From there we headed east on US-24 to Hartsel and turned south on SR-9 heading back to Parkdale and US-50.
Travel Adventures in this area that you may enjoy include: Victor & Cripple Creek two old gold mining towns Click here for some Colorado travellogsUntil next time remember how good life is. More Colorado AdventuresAdventures by State ** More 2006 Travel Adventures
Mike & Joyce Hendrix
Mike & Joyce Hendrix who we are We hope you liked this page. If you do you might be interested in some of our other Travel Adventures: Mike & Joyce Hendrix's home page Travel Adventures by Year ** Travel Adventures by State ** Plants ** Marine-Boats ** Geology ** Exciting Drives ** Cute Signs ** RV Subjects ** Miscellaneous Subjects
We would love to hear from you......just put "info" in the place of "FAKE" in this address: FAKE@travellogs.us Until next time remember how good life is.
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