The Power Line

Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

Trailhead: Starts right at the base of the Gondola at the Summit Parking Lot
Distance: 0.55 mile up / 0.55 mile out on the old jeep trail/ road cut
Travel Time: 30-30 minutes up / 30 minutes out
Average Slope Angle: 30-35 degrees
Aspect: Northwest to North

When driving up to the summit of the pass from the Salida side this is the prominent “chute” that appears on the left as you pass the parking for old Monarch Pass. This was once an old cut for power lines to reach the weather and radio stations atop Monarch Crest ridge. Now with no remains of the old power lines it has become a great ski descent that covers tree skiing at the top and a clear cut chute near the middle and bottom that is rough 20 feet wide. If you can catch this on a fresh day and be the first one down it, you'll never forget the power of this old power line.