Colorado’s Old Monarch Pass is Not for the Faint of Heart

There's a good chance that if you've driven over Colorado's Monarch Pass, you've also driven by a sign that reads, "Old Monarch Pass" with an arrow pointing up a dirt road.

Believe it or not, that old dirt road was once the only way to get over the Continental Divide from the part of central Colorado in which the area is.

Old Monarch Pass is dirt, and dangerous, but still around, and a few months out of the year it's actually open to motorists.

However, before you go attempting the drive in your Subaru keep scrolling to take a virtual trip over Old Monarch Pass below.

Colorado's Old Monarch Pass

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Old Monarch Pass is located just off of what we now know as simply Monarch Pass, which is part of US Highway 50 and essentially runs from Salida to Gunnison, with a popular ski resort on top.

However, prior to 1939, travelers had to travel over what is now known as Old Monarch Pass - a 15-mile dirt road that takes about 45 minutes to get over today, and four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended.

The pass climbs up to the Continental Divide, which is a fairly uneventful drive, but it quickly gets pretty scary after reaching the top of the mountain.

The pass is filled with switchbacks, hairpin turns, steep cliffs, and there are no guardrails whatsoever.

It's typically open to motorists from June to October, but heavy rainfall often washes out the road and causes trees to fall into it, temporarily closing it for periods of time.

That being said, the drive is absolutely gorgeous, and you can take a virtual trip over Old Monarch Pass below: