Distance: 11.0; Miles from city center: 29; Waypoints. Spam? This is about an injury or accident Something else? There is a short spur that is only … This is a loop hike, but I have always taken it counter-clockwise, starting off on the right towards the new junction of the Prairie Vista and Flatirons Vista Trails (see map). Hike aross a scree field along the well-defined path to the beginning of the steep switchbacks. DTL001. It also requires a $5 fee at the parking lot. The age of the rock is estimated to be 290 to 296 Time to Hike: 3-4 hours Here I’ll give you a some options on how to make the most of the First and Second Flatiron trail, and some details on what to expect. Flatirons Vista Trail is a 3.5 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Boulder, Colorado that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. There are a few minor climbs and some semi-technical footing, but most of the loop is made up of relatively flat wide dirt and gravel trails, although there is a section of singletrack dirt trails too. Looped around and back down towards Doudy Draw. You simply, climb, climb and climb some more as Flatiron grows in size. The Flatirons Vista Trail Head is a Boulder County park, requiring face masks and social distancing when hiking. 9. The area provides hikers with plenty of solitude, and you will find few trail signs or markers in the area, but you will see a number of user-created trails which do not appear on maps of the area. The trail almost never flattens out. The Flatiron Rock Trail is mostly topographically flat, and while hiking the trail you will see ancient Juniper trees, sagebrush, and many igneous outcrops. The Flatirons Vista Loop offers spectacular views of Boulder's famous Flatiron formations. Flatirons: Flatiron Loop - a lovely hike - See 1,105 traveler reviews, 472 candid photos, and great deals for Boulder, CO, at Tripadvisor. The trail climbs to the 7,927-foot summit of Green Mountain which rests behind the Flatirons. The hike to the 1st Flatiron is a little over a mile and passes by the 2nd Flatiron along the way. At Royal Arch Trail intersection, turn left and travel 0.2 miles until you reach the Bluebell Road Shelter (a historic structure). Trail: Flatirons Loop Trail – Chautauqua Park Distance from Broomfield: 15-20 minutes Follow the Flatirons Loop Trail toward the 3rd Flatiron Climbing Access and the Royal Arch Trail for 0.5 miles. The Green Mountain Loop trail is steep! This short doubletrack trail completes the Flatirons Vista loop. Don’t wimp out here! Got about 10.4 miles out of it. Local Club: Boulder Mountainbike Alliance. Came up back side of Greenbelt to parkng. 1st & 2nd Flatirons Hike Overview. The Flatirons are the iconic range indicative of Boulder, and they are a must-visit for anyone who is in the area for a quick run, some rock climbing, or a day hike. Fun down hill and then back up to Spring Loop, left at fork. There are a lot of reasons why this is, arguably, the perfect place to live, and that list begins with The Flatirons. There are several sections that are over 30% grade! Contacts. For the best views I recommend hiking the Flatirons Vista Loop counter-clockwise, beginning with the North branch, which leaves from the parking lot’s northwestern corner. Boulder Trails Boulder, CO: Woods Quarry Head S then W across an open mesa dotted with pines; Devils Thumb protrudes from the Flatirons ahead The Flatirons are the most prominent feature of Boulder Colorado’s landscape. Worst Part: The cold start and icy trails made for a bit of a challenge when being pulled up and down the mountain by an eager husky. The Flatirons are made up of conglomeratic sandstone of the Fountain Formation, a long formation of the Front Range that stretches from Wyoming down into Colorado. The riding is straightforward, with views out across the plains towards the foothills. This trail switchbacks down a hillside with impressive views of Boulder to the north. Nov 23, 2020: Schedule Your Colorado Gives Gift Today. The Green Mountain Loop trail is one of the most difficult snowshoeing trails on our list! As you wind along the path, the sweet smell of butterscotch wafts from the ponderosa pines. If you turn left, you’ll end up doing a loop and will be back at the parking lot in 15 minutes. Being a jerk / offensive? The start of the trail to the First Flatiron Part of the trail is on outcrop The only “wildlife” we saw on the trail – and for all the times I’ve done it (100+) I never saw anything more than a deer Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Enjoy & research Boulder County, Colorado with trail guides, topo maps, photos, reviews & … Difficulty: Moderate. If you love hiking and spending time outdoors, there’s a good chance that you’ve always dreamed of living in Boulder, Colorado. You can hike this trail network to form either a 1.9 mile or 3.3 mile loop across this broad plateau. You need to read the trail signs or you'll end up on the wrong trail. Flatirons: Wonderful, brief loop trail... - See 1,105 traveler reviews, 472 candid photos, and great deals for Boulder, CO, at Tripadvisor. Check out this map of the Chautauqua Park area, the main entrance, and popular hiking trails. Best Part: Kicking 2018 off right, with an outdoor hike, getting elevated in the mountains with a crew of friends, first Backwoods of 2018. Trail near Boulder, Colorado. This is a fun, energizing and very scenic 8.5-mile loop that connects the trails on Marshall Mesa, Community Ditch Trail, Flatirons Vista North Trail and Greenbelt Plateau Trail. I recommend either the Davis Ponds loop of 2.3 miles or taking the Staunton Ranch Trail for 1.8 miles to the .7-mile loop at the Historic Cabins Trail for a total 2.5-mile ... Flatirons Vista Trail At the second major junction, the trail connects with Flatirons Loop Trail, and after a short distance, take a right onto 1st / 2nd Flatiron Trail. The out-and-back trail is 2.6 miles round-trip with a 1,400-ft elevation gain – a pretty moderate hike! Although short, the steep incline of the trail … They are beautiful to take in from a distance, but they are even better to explore. If it does, it's probably because you took a wrong turn. Flatirons Loop is a hiking, trail running, walking adventure located in or near Boulder County, CO. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. These are Boulder’s landmark mountains, rising up at the edge of town, marking a dramatic start to the Rocky Mountains that lie behind them. I took the south trail to Doudy Draw. The Chautauqua Trail leads up and to the backside of Flatiron #1 with terrific views across the Boulder Valley, Indian Peaks and Rocky Mountain National Park: The trail begins on a wide, graded path through open space past connections for the Ski Jump (.2 miles) and Bluebell Mesa (.3 miles) trails to the Bluebell-Baird Trail junction (.6 miles : 6,160'). There are also steeper hikes and trails the closer you get the Flatirons. The Woods Quarry Trail is a mild 2.9-mile loop that starts in Chautauqua Park.It follows the McClintock Trail to Enchanted Mesa and heads uphill to an old stone cabin. Please explain. Follow the same route to the fork at the First/Second Flatirons Trail, but go to the left instead onto Flatirons' Loop Trail. Fun ride! I parked at Greenbelt and headed across 93 to Flatirons Vista trail head. This trail winds through the forest, rocky fields and meadows, connecting with other trails, so you can keep going, loop back or turn around, depending on how you feel. The loop is a mixed use trail, mostly flat with some uphill. Options include:* The Flatiron Loop Trail (about 2 miles) is easy to moderate. This flat 3.5-mile loop south of Boulder is a great option for families, trail runners, out-of-town guests and beginning bikers. Very nice smooth ride. Walker Ranch. After a little over a half mile, you’ll reach the junction with Bluebell-Baird Trail and Flatirons Loop Trail. Hike back up, loop through the still forest of the Flatirons Vista-South Trail for an excellent one- or two-hour walk in the woods and over the plains. Royal Arch Trail (4.8 kilometers round trip; moderate) Another beautiful hike leads to the Royal Arch, a large, natural sandstone arch. Keep following this past all of the trail junctions, and you’ll eventually duck into the woods. This loop encapsulates multiple different trails all accessible from the Chautauqua Trail.Start by heading up the wide, paved Chautauqua Trail and continue following it as it turns right and passes over a small bridge. At the cabin, you’re about halfway through and will start a short, steep climb to a quarry that makes the perfect pit stop. The trail becomes narrower, rockier and steeper from this point on, as it quickly gains elevation. You’ll have over 2,200 feet of elevation gain start-to-finish. Location: 39.9674339294434, -105.258682250977. * The Royal Arch Trail (about 3 miles) is harder but offers great views as a pay-off for the work. Perfect for an after-work trail run or leisurely stroll, this 2.7-mile lollipop loop explores wide-open meadows in the shadow of Boulder's iconic Flatirons. Trail Facts. At the intersection with the Bluebell-Baird Trail and Flatirons Loop Trail, head to the left and uphill. 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