The first/2nd Flatiron hike is certainly one of my high three favourite hikes in Boulder, Colorado – there are such a lot of causes to do that hike repeatedly! I’ve performed this hike about 20-30 occasions during the last decade.
Not too way back, this hike was an out and again (although extra up and down) and ended close to the again of the First Flatiron. A couple of years in the past, a brand new path the Saddle Rock Connector was constructed. It connects the First/Second Flatiron hike to all the paths on the West facet of Inexperienced Mountain. I like this addition as a result of I can do enjoyable Inexperienced Mountain Summit loops or do medium sized loops through Saddle Rock path or Gregory Canyon path. The connector opens up so many choices for climbing and operating.
Why do the first/2nd Flatiron hike?
These are the highest causes to do the First/Second Flatiron hike in Boulder, Colorado.
Up shut views of the First and Second Flatiron as you ascend and switchback between them
Fascinating steep rocky terrain and rocks for elements of the path
Quickest option to views of the Continental Divide together with Indian Peaks Wilderness Space and Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park
An abundance of nice spots to sit back and take within the surroundings
Good start line for a wide range of loops again to Chautauqua or Gregory Canyon trailhead – extra beneath on that beneath
Excellent warm-up or coaching hike for tougher hikes
Generally is a shorter hike or an extended hike relying on route and path selections
Of all of the hikes close to Boulder, I do 1st/2nd Flatiron hike probably the most after Bear Peak hikes and Inexperienced Mountain hikes! Subsequent on the listing of most hiked or ran could be South Boulder Peak or the Royal Arch hike.
The place to start out – the most effective 1st/2nd Flatiron hike trailheads
The very best trailheads to start out 1st/2nd Flatiron hike are close to Chautauqua Park. Both is nice, or in between relying on the place you discover a parking spot. Listed below are the Google Maps places.
When to do the first/2nd Flatiron hike
I do that hike most months of the 12 months. April, Could, and June are my favourite months to hike in Boulder. I additionally love to do the first/2nd Flatiron hike throughout the Fall months. The climate could be actually nice in September and October. Hike early in Summer time months to remain cool.
When to not do the first/2nd Flatiron hike
This hike is considerably uncovered on the high so keep away from being up excessive throughout any storms.
Verify the climate forecast earlier than you go!
Issue ranking
This hike is tough for many hikers. The path is steep and rises up 1500 vertical toes of elevation achieve rapidly over a brief distance of roughly 1.5 miles
Whole distance and elevation
Listed below are the approximate distances and elevation achieve from my GPS recording.
Mountain climbing time
How lengthy does it take to do the first/2nd Flatiron hike? Relying in your tempo, health degree, and route chosen, the hike will take most hikers 1.5 hours or extra to finish. I might suggest aiming for greater than that as a result of the surroundings and rock is so superior.
Terrain
The decrease a part of this hike is grime trails however ultimately turns into very rocky rocky, technical, and difficult within the higher half. There may be some tough scrambling and climbing. And different elements are straight-forward switchbacks.
Gear Advisor
A lot of the trails are rocky so you’ll want to put on footwear that protects your toes and has good traction.
Light-weight climbing sneakers or path trainers which are breathable and designed for rugged terrain are greatest for this hike and most hikes round Boulder. Mid to heavier weight, much less breathable, climbing sneakers or climbing boots can really feel too scorching for climbing in Boulder many months of the 12 months.
Some hikers would possibly profit from trekking poles for elevated stability and stability. Or, to preserve vitality and cut back stress on joints for an extended day on the paths in Boulder.
Should you plan to transcend the first/2nd Flatiron path to Inexperienced Mountain Summit or past to Bear Peak or South Boulder Peak – be sure to have solar safety and climbing hat. Additionally contemplate carrying further water bottles and water bladders for longer days on the paths so as to keep adequately hydrated.
1st/2nd Flatiron hike: Routes and Instructions
The most well-liked path to do the first/2nd Flatiron hike is from Chautauqua. See my GPS recording beneath.
Begin up Chautauqua path. Observe a fast jog over to Flatirons Loop Path, after which head proper up 1st/2nd Flatiron Path.
Within the first part, you’ll cross a big rock subject into the timber and can switchback upwards. At a degree it opens and you’ve got a view again right down to Chautauqua and elements of Boulder. Proceed on, and upwards.
The path could be arduous to see at occasions as a result of it will get very rocky. Take your time and keep watch over the route. After some extra switchbacks, you arrive at a location the place you’ll have to climb and scramble upwards. Use the footholds within the rock and climb up like small stairs. After this brief climb/scramble take within the good vantage level of Boulder and extra. Proceed on and up. There are a number of factors the place you must take a second and search for the trail or manner ahead as issues get rocky.
Keep on the path, don’t take brief cuts. You may see how a lot work has needed to be performed to fight erosion from hikers not staying on the switchback trails.
The steep path switchbacks extra within the high half of the first/2nd Flatiron Path. Ultimately you pop up out of the timber and there are very clear views of the First Flatiron. At this rocky level that appears to be the highest you truly proceed on, over, after which up extra to the fitting. Extra switchbacking to a different clearing of much less timber simply behind the First Flatiron.
Observe my recording beneath and you’ll scramble up on the bottom of the First Flatiron. When you’ve got steady footing or a spot to take a seat, flip round and take within the view of the Continental Divide and the tall mountain peaks of Indian Peaks Wilderness Space. To the North you’ll be able to see North Boulder, and Mount Meeker and Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park. The views are actually superior. That’s the reason I like this hike – quickest option to views of the excessive alpine to the West. This sight is most spectacular after a latest snowstorm.
An out and again is a method to do that hike. Should you do it as an out and again, you could possibly lengthen your hike by including on Flatirons Loop Path, and even Royal Arch Path if you’re feeling formidable and are match.
Or, from the highest of the first/2nd Flatiron Path, proceed on climbing throughout the brand new Saddle Rock Connector path that takes you to the place Saddle Rock Path connects from beneath, and a bit additional to a key location. I feel the Saddle Rock Connector is a very cool phase that many individuals miss when climbing in Boulder. It’s additionally helpful if you wish to hike to the West. Observe the path to the place Saddle Rock Path intersects. At this juncture, you could possibly go down and loop again to Chautauqua. The Saddle Rock path descends to Gregory Canyon trailhead. From there, take Baseline Path or Meadow Path again to Chautauqua the place you began out.
For an extended day hike – as a substitute of taking place the Saddle Rock Path, proceed on a contact additional (on what is basically nonetheless Saddle Rock Connector) till you arrive at a fork within the path. You may go down EM Greenman path (to the fitting) and loop again down Gregory Canyon Path. I fairly get pleasure from path operating down this path. Or, go up (to the left) EM Greenman Path additional as much as the summit of Inexperienced Mountain. See my recording beneath that could be a massive Inexperienced Mountain summit loop that began by doing 1st/2nd Flatiron Path!
You possibly can additionally begin a 1st/2nd Flatiron hike from Gregory Canyon trailhead. For a counter clockwise loop, head up Saddle Rock Path till you get to Saddle Rock Connector. Flip left, and comply with the path till you get to a gap of actually cool rock formations which are situated simply West of the again of the First Flatiron. Observe small indicators and indicators on timber to navigate largely East to a brief path that switchbacks as much as the again of the First Flatiron. You will note an indication at this location. If you want, go nearer as much as the again of the First Flatiron for these stupendous views West to the Continental Divide. Or, proceed down the first/2nd Flatiron Path all the best way again to Flatiron Loop Path and switch left. Then, jog over to Bluebell-Baird Path that may take you to Gregory Canyon trailhead.
Ultimate ideas
You may’t go fallacious heading up 1st/2nd Flatiron Path. It’s the quickest path to see views West of Indian Peaks Wilderness Space and North West of Mount Meeker and Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park. The first/2nd Flatiron Path can be a good way to summit Inexperienced Mountain and circle again through Ranger Path and Gregory Canyon.
Images on my 1st/2nd Flatiron hikes in stunning Boulder Colorado!
