The pass is located on the Continental Divide at the southern end of the Sawatch Range along the border between Gunnison and Chaffee counties, approximately 25 miles (40 km) west of the town of Salida.

[2] The pass is widely considered one of the most scenic in Colorado, offering a panoramic view of the southern end of the Sawatch Range from the summit.

[3] During the summer, an aerial tram from the parking lot at the summit carries visitors to the top of Monarch Ridge above the pass (at approximately 12,000 feet (3,700 m) above sea level), allowing a wider view of the surrounding peaks.

In September 1938, state engineer Charles Vail decided to utilize the Monarch Pass route, but with significant reconstruction and rerouting to reduce grades, minimize tight curves, and keep the roadbed up on sunny slopes where winter snow would be easier to manage.

In less than 15 minutes, about 50 people combined their muscle power and opened the Monarch Pass to traffic by putting the truck back on its wheels.

[7] The Federal Aviation Administration installed an automated weather station (AWOS) atop Monarch Pass, broadcasting at 124.175 MHz.

The high terrain and frequent storms make this route difficult for light aircraft; the pass is steep and narrow, especially when approached from the east, with a sharp turn required at the summit.

Many Colorado pilots therefore advise small aircraft to avoid Monarch in favor of the lower, flatter Marshall Pass just a few miles to the south.