Our namesake Monarch butterfly makes its appearance in the area each summer. This one was recently seen feeding among the wildflowers next to the creek that flows through the ski area. The Monarch butterfly makes its way north and east during the spring and summer from the warmer climates of its wintering grounds of California and Mexico. It typically takes…
Our lift maintenance crew has been busy working on the Garfield lift project. The first steps involved removing all the carriers, dropping the rope off several towers to ground level, tagging out the haul line in both directions with heavy duty rigging before ultimately cutting the old haul line in half. We rented some specialized equipment for the next steps…
The mountain looks so different in the summer. Amazing sights that are buried in the winter come out for those of us still on the mountain to enjoy. We have several perennial streams that flow through the ski area. The main one on the front side of the mountain starts high near the base of Turbo. It flows down through…
The scenic tram has seen a steady amount of ridership to start the summer. A lot of travelers seem to stop at the top of the pass to get out of the car and stretch their legs. They swing into the shop, purchase an item or two, along with a bite to eat. Many of them are in Colorado to…
Access to the ridgeline and the high alpine is opening up. We are starting to see through hikers passing by that are traveling on either the Colorado Trail or the Continental Divide Trail. These two epic trails pass through the high peaks and cross the summit of Monarch Pass. Both trails traverse directly through the ski area and the Monarch…
It’s finally looking like summer on Lower Tango with green slopes under purple mountains and a blue sky.
Our Lift Maintenance team will be replacing the haul rope on the Garfield Lift this summer. The haul rope is the large cable that spins around the bottom and top bullwheels and has the lift chairs or “carriers” attached to it with what is called a “grip”. The haul rope is not a single cable but is comprised of six…
Just to the north and east of the top tram terminal is the North Fooses Creek drainage. At the head of this stream where it reaches tree line lies the Gondola Bowl. This is a north facing slope that gathers a huge amount of snow during the winter months. It is prone to large avalanches each winter and any backcountry…
Today is the Summer Solstice and the longest day of the year. The sun is sitting high in the sky at mid-day and the temps are warm and comfortable in the mountains. We are lucky to live in Colorado. We actually have four distinct seasons and they all offer something special for the outdoor enthusiast. While summer may have officially…
