Our morning started in Colorado Springs with a leisurely departure. We were on the road heading west by mid-morning. Today’s goal was to crest Old Monarch Pass and set camp near the Alpine Tunnel.

We stopped at the Coyote Cantina in Johnson Village for lunch. Coyote Cantina can always be counted on for good Mexican food. After lunch it was off to the Old Monarch Pass trail head. Once off the blacktop we aired down to smooth the ride on the dirt road. The trailer tires were aired down to around 18 PSI to help soften the trailers rides.

Old Monarch, the first pass to be completed on our trip was an easy start with graded switch backs. The view from the summit was fantastic and we got our token pictures of the Toyota FJ Cruisers next the Continental Divide sign.

Once underway again we descended through a large number of switch backs towards the trail I intended to take north above the valley. When I turned onto the trail we encountered a sign indicating there was a locked gate ahead. Unable to take this road we descended to the valley bellow and north on County Road 888 through the small town of Whitepine.  CR-888 provides access to Tomichi Pass and beyond.

The wide valley narrowed and the road became rockier as we approached the start of the accent up Tomichi Pass. Tomichi appears to be one of the lesser traveled passes in Colorado and provides stunning views as the trail ascends next to Tomichi creek.

With it getting late we started looking for a camp and found perfect meadow at about 11,000 feet. It was my night to cook dinner which I completed with the help of LJ during our first of many rain storms.

Day 1 Google KML File

Day 2