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Day 5 of Summer 2024 Trip to Colorado, Flatirons

The fifth and last day of my summer 2024 trip to Colorado. In the morning, I took a short hike to the Flatirons before getting ready for my flight back home in the afternoon.

Flatirons

Today, I had a video conference scheduled for mid-afternoon, just before my flight home at 5:35 PM. That left my morning completely free. I didn’t find downtown Denver that appealing during my visit back in 2022, so I decided to make the most of my final hours in Colorado this time in nature by planning a final hike to the Flatirons.

The Flatirons are rock slabs of Fountain Formation featuring steeply sloped triangular shapes, created by differential erosion. This morning, I chose to hike the First and Second Flatirons Loop (AllTrails link, but in reverse). The trail winds through the incline between the First and Second Flatirons, eventually ending just below the summit of the First Flatiron.

It’s a Tuesday morning. Weirdly, there was some traffic on US36 heading towards Boulder (I thought the morning rush should only take place in the Denver direction). Since it’s a weekday, there was free parking at Chautauqua Trailhead, but the parking lot was pretty full. In the end, I started my hike at 8:20am.
Here’s GPS tracking:

Not long after leaving the trailhead, there were information markers nearby explaining the origin of the name “Chautauqua” Trailhead. Essentially, the villas nearby belonged to Colorado Chautauqua, founded at the turn of the 19/20 century as a “cultural and educational movement”, TLDR: tree huggers. Back then, it offered the general public a chance to enjoy vacations that combined outdoor activities with cultural and educational programs.

Click here to display photos of the Flatirons.

Flatirons from Trail

Flatirons

Third Flatiron
With graffiti “CU” on it.

Initially, I followed “Bluebell Trail”, which was a bit dusty. However, once the trail led into the trees, I faced the biggest challenge of the day: the heat. I had chosen to hike in the morning, hoping for cooler temperatures, as the clothes I packed for this trip were too warm for typical Boulder summer weather. (Plus, the flatirons and the fields below were in the light, making for better photos.) Otherwise, I could have easily visited the Flatirons yesterday after arriving in Broomfield from Leadville.
Unfortunately, even wearing my lightest clothes, the intense elevation gain along the switchbacks had me sweating heavily. (I was also in a bit of rush to get back to the hotel before checkout time). All in all, it wasn’t the most enjoyable hiking experience.

 
Trail Navigating through Rocky Hillside

How the trail (right) navigated the steep rocky incline (left) between the first and second flatirons, with this being the typical condition.

 
Technical Move

Likely the only technical move on the lower end of YDS class 3. Footholds and handholds were plenty.

At a somewhat rushed pace, I reached the end of the trail, just beneath the top of the first Flatiron, at 9:20am, about an hour after leaving my car.

 
Top of the First Flatiron

The end of the trail (left), wasn’t very impressive with some trees blocking the views. Instead, I took a few steps west and climbed onto a small rocky slab, where the views were much better (right, also see slideshow below).

Click here to display photos of the slideshow

Distant Longs Peak
Which I climbed in September 2022.

Indian Peaks of Front Range

Indian Peaks of Front Range
Old Baldy, North Arapaho Peak, Deshawa, Mount Albion, Kiowa Peak, Apache Peak

Rolling Hills to the North

Third Flatiron

Being pressed on time, I only remained for 15 minutes at the top of the trail before starting my descent.

 
Rocks of the Second Flatiron

Since the trail winds through the incline between the first and the second flatirons, one could catch these glimpses of the top of the second flatiron.

Honestly, I found the best views on this trail to be near the top of the second Flatiron and along the switchbacks just before reaching it. From there, one enjoys unobstructed views of the vast open fields stretching to the east and truly appreciates how abruptly the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains rises above them.

Click here to display photos of the slideshow

Upper Part of the First Flatiron

Overlooking Trail Switchbacks

Second and Third Flatirons

Overlooking City of Boulder

Overlooking City of Boulder

 
Looking up to First Flatiron

A few steps away from the main trail, this was the base of the first flatiron, providing climber access.

And some final photos of the flatirons once the trail left the switchbacks into open fields. The sky was visibly more cloudy compared to two hours ago.

Click here to display photos of the slideshow

Third Flatiron

First Flatiron

Flatirons

CU Boulder Main Campus

Rolling Hills to the North

In the end, I returned to my car just under an hour after starting my descent. This gave me just enough time to get back to the hotel, take a quick shower, and check out of my room. Afterwards, I headed to the airport, ready to tackle the rest of the day’s activities.

END