Monarch Crest Tramway/Trail

This year (2016) is the tramway's 50th anniversary, and although the gondolas appear to be original they have kept it up. We didn't feel unsafe on the ride at least. They are pet friendly and our dog got to ride along with us and explore the crest also. There is a hiking trail but be prepared for brisk winds and cool temps. Roughly 20 degrees cooler at the top than at the parking lot which was cooler than lower elevations also. For instance the day we were there it was about 80 degrees in Salida, about 60 at the parking lot, and then only about 40 at the crest, but the wind was around 20mph sustained so with that factored in it was just darn cold at the crest. BTW, hold onto your hats (as well as any small children or malnourished adults)!

There obviously was a road that extended up to the crest also, I would presume if you wanted to hike down after the tramway ride up that could be arranged too (it appeared to run along the hiking trail or at least near it for quite a ways, you may be able to see that in the photo with the antennas). We only hiked a short ways from the tramway but the trail went along the crest and would allow for varied distances, as well as hiking back down to the parking lot. We rode the tramway both up and down this trip, I'll look forward to hiking it next trip.