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1.(mile00,7730ft) START-END ALTERNATE EAST: turnoff onto Co162 , south of Nathrop 2.(mile05,8190ft) START-END: Princeton Hot Springs 3.(mile16,10040ft) take left onto jeep road shortly before Saint Elmo 4.(mile21,11090ft) Hancock Pass route takes off on right. Chalk Creek Pass route continues straight. 5.(mile24,12140ft) TOP: Chalk Creek Pass 6.(mile29,9640ft) route joins Monarch Pass road. Go left downhill. 7.(mile41,7530ft) junction between US50 and US285 in Poncha Springs. Point  connects to Marshall Pass and Poncha Pass profiles after a slight downhill.

Approaches

From North. This approach shares a large portion with the lower approach to Hancock Pass and Williams Pass. See those page for more details. The steepest and most scenic part of the entire route may well be the short, final section below the summit. A single track trail leads up switchbacks above the Hancock lakes (2nd picture), located above treeline in a tundra valley, surrounded in July by a sea of wild flowers. The top is a gap in a sweeping green ridge, flanked by imposing peaks on each side. The mountains to the south east eventually reach a maximum height with Mount Aetna (13743 feet), no relation to the one in Italy, other than superficial resemblance. To the south west Van Wirt Mountain (13025) guides the eye to the next peak, Monumental Peak (13369ft). The temptation to explore a small part of this ridge on foot may be heightened by the hope of locating the trail down the southern side.

From South. The approach is described in a downward direction. If the trail down cannot be located, staying somewhat on the western side of the valley improves one's chances of spotting it from above eventually - that in spite of the fact that the track is closer to the east side of the valley. So - it's a case of either you see it and know that eventually you get there, or you have no idea where it is but eventually run into it by accident. Since there really is only one valley, there is little danger of getting lost. However some portaging and scratched up legs are possible. On the other hand - maybe the route is obvious and I just didn't see it. Chalk Creek Pass eventually follows the middle fork of the South Arkansas to the Monarch Pass road. The lower part of the road is smooth and can be used to make up time lost on the upper descent.

Tours

Dayrides. The route starts near Princeton Hot Springs, continues over the pass, returns by way of Poncha Springs and paved Arkansas valley roads to the starting point  The last picture is from this final valley part of the ride, which is not part of the pass profile. The entire day measured 61 miles, using a mechanical odometer (m1.86.09.17).

History

Leadville Boom (<Tennessee Pass|Old Monarch Pass>): When trying to visualize the usefulness of this pass it is worth remembering that Monarch Pass did not come into usage until a later period. In the 1880s the Leadville mining boom was at its height. Gravity, being what it is, caused many a miner to settle downstream in the supply towns, like Buena Vista. It was during this time that Chalk Creek became dotted with mining camps, Iron City, Saint Elmo, Romley and Hancock. A road from Buena Vista up Chalk Creek was built over the pass to connect Garfield and the Monarch mining district back to the supply town.

Unlike other passes leaving Buena Vista (Cottonwood Pass, Tincup Pass), Chalk Creek Pass did not become part of a longer route, connecting to up-and-coming boomtowns like Aspen or the San Juan district. A toll road over the top was chartered. But only a rough wagon road resulted.

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