Perched high atop Monarch Pass, the Monarch Crest Scenic Tramway has become one of the most recognizable roadside attractions on the 3,000+ mile transcontinental U.S. Route 50. For six decades, the Scenic Tram has carried visitors above the Continental Divide for panoramic alpine views. Its history involves generations of locally based entrepreneurs, human ingenuity and resolve, along with the evolution of mountain tourism in Colorado.
In 1954, local Salida businessman Elmo Bevington partnered with former Colorado state highway patrolman and Gunnison County Sheriff, George Cope to open a small gift shop and restaurant at the summit of Monarch Pass. These two entrepreneurs named it “The Monarch Crest”. The pair leased approximately five acres from the U.S. Forest Service. At the time, Monarch Pass was becoming an increasingly popular automobile route through the Rockies, especially after improvements to U.S. Highway 50 made travel easier across the Continental Divide.
The original restaurant also served Greyhound bus passengers crossing the pass. Buses frequently stopped here so that overheated engines could cool while travelers stretched their legs and grabbed food at over 11,000 feet above sea level. A dirt road was built to the top of the ridge and shuttle vehicles would haul visitors to the top at 12,000′ to enjoy views from the unique octagon shaped observatory. The brothers then hatched an idea to construct an aerial tramway that would convey guests to the top. The scenic tramway itself was built in 1966 by brothers Elmo and Mac Bevington of Salida, Colorado. The Bevingtons wanted to attract more visitors to the restaurant and gift shop already operating on Monarch Pass. Their solution was ambitious: construct an aerial tram that would carry tourists from the pass summit to an observation point above 12,000 feet.
Engineering for the tramway was handled by Heron Engineering Company of Denver, a company well known for designing ski lifts and aerial tram systems throughout Colorado. Bob Heron was an early pioneer in the Colorado ski scene and has been recognized in the Colorado Ski Hall of Fame. The tram’s fiberglass gondola cars were manufactured by Atlas Engineering Company in Salt Lake City. The tram officially opened to the public on June 1, 1966. The tram climbs around 700 vertical feet from Monarch Pass to the summit observation station high above on Monarch Ridge. At the top, visitors can grab 360° views stretching up to 150 miles away across five Colorado mountain ranges that include the Sawatch, the San Juan, the Sangre De Cristo, the West Elks, and the Front Range.
The Monarch Crest Tramway and Gift Shop remained family-operated for much of its history. In 1976, Elmo Bevington sold the restaurant and gift shop to Dick and Ann Fortune. A major event occurred in 1988, when lightning struck the crest building, causing a devastating fire that destroyed the original log cabin structure. The building was rebuilt using a heavy concrete dome-style design reinforced with approximately 172 tons of rebar to better withstand the harsh alpine weather conditions found atop Monarch Pass. Following the reconstruction, Dick and Ann Fortune sold the business to Tal and Doris Ruttham in 1989 Following the structure fire, the full restaurant was not reopened for decades and the operation shifted toward a snack bar and gift-shop model serving tourists, hikers, and sightseers.
In 1994, the Crest ownership passed to Jim and Deanne Littrell, and later to their daughter Edie and her husband Jerry Schoenfeld. The Schoenfeld family operated the tramway for decades. One of the largest upgrades came in 2015, when the tram’s original drive system was replaced with a modern electric motor system similar to those used at ski areas on their aerial lifts.
A new chapter began in October 2022, when Monarch Mountain officially purchased the Monarch Crest and Scenic Tramway property. The acquisition was led by our GM, Randy Stroud, who envisioned transforming the aging facility into a modern visitor center while preserving its historic character. After extensive renovations and tram upgrades/maintenance, the re-imagined facility reopened in June of 2023 and is now known as Monarch Mountain at the Crest.
The new ownership was a perfect fit as Monarch Mountain already has a solid team of lift mechanics and operators, food & beverage experts, an experienced retail team, plow operators, parking crews, carpenters, and licensed drinking water techs. When asked about operating all of the moving parts at the Crest, Randy Stroud stated, “This is what we do”. The updated Crest area now includes a visitor center, expanded retail space, full food service, indoor/outdoor seating, food and gear for highway travelers, hikers and cyclists, a mining sluice for kids, and educational exhibits about the Continental Divide Trail along with surrounding recreation and community resources.
What really makes the Monarch Crest Scenic Tramway remarkable is not just its altitude or scenery, but its story. Since opening in 1966, the tram has survived extreme weather events, changing ownership, economic shifts, and even a destructive fire. Through it all, the Monarch Crest has remained an important Colorado landmark. For generations of travelers crossing Monarch Pass, the colorful gondola cabins rising toward the Continental Divide has symbolized adventure, mountain travel, and the enduring spirit of Colorado’s high country.
Monarch Mountain at the Crest and the Scenic Tramway are scheduled to open for the summer season on Friday-May 22nd. We hope to see you at the top!