Located near an old mining cemetery. Please do not disturb the cemetery area as the cache is located outside the fenced area. Cache is in a Tupperware box with a red lid. It is completely covered to avoid detection by others in the area but it isn't buried. Happy caching and enjoy this beautiful spot! 8/18/04
The Cemetery is between two roads. The gray gravel road in front of the cemetery is part of the Old Monarch Pass road, built in 1918. The dirt road behind the cemetery of part of the Old Old Monarch Pass road, built in 1880. The Old Old pass is located on the Continental Divide at the top of the ski area, and is unmarked. Both passes were closed in winter, which is why the modern pass was built in 1939 with sunny exposures to allow winter driving.
The name "Monarch" comes from the Monarch Mine which was the first mine in the Monarch Pass area. It was discovered by the Boone brothers who also built the Old Old Pass. The town around the mining area was named "Monarch" after the mine. The town no longer exists and was replaced by the huge quarry that you see today.