Flatirons 1 and 2

The Flatirons. Massive slabs of rock thrust through the earths crust and into the air, jutting perfectly into the sky in an awesome display of the western Rockies. They are a magnificent sight, one instantly recognizable in the background of the city of Boulder, CO.

Several weekends ago, I had the opportunity to hike between these magnificant beasts of nature. I was absolutely stoked. Being a student at one of the local universities, I see them daily, lining the western side of the rockies like the plates on a stegasaurus. They are like a Mammoth or Yosemite right in my backyard, a sight too promising to ignore. I mean, come on--big mountains, evergreen trees, massive rock formations which become snowcapped in winter? What more could I want. The fact that I hadn't set foot yet in these beasts was a travesty, a crime against my whole being. It was like a duck traveling to a new pond and not swimming in it, or a seagull migrating to a new beach and not stealing someone's pizza--absolutely absurd. So when the option arrived, I could hardly contain myself in my anticipation. I couldn't wait to start exploring these mountains which I spent so long salivating over.

So around 9:30 am, I got my stuff together, met up with my buddies, and headed to the trailhead, which was called "Chautauqau Park." It was bustling with like-minded adventurers, with whom we started on the journey through the beautiful grass covered hills to the treeline.

I know I say this about every place I hike, but this area right before the trees is truly one of those special places. You'll see it on postcards and advertisments for the university just down the hill, as well as in the wedding, engagment, or graduation photos of anyone you know who lives in the area. It reminds me of the valley at the start of Hill Canyon trailhead in California, nestled at the foot of hills and mountains, tempting you to stop and rest in the splendor but at the same time enticing you with a view of what's to come.

That special area near Chautauqua trailhead

Eventually, the path meanders through these hills and in a series of switchbacks makes its way up the slot between the first and second flatirons, which are the triangular slabs of rock ordered from right to left. Here one encounters the cedars and other evergreen trees so characteristic of the western alpine climate, filled with acorns and releasing that sweet pine air. If there is a place I am happiest, it is here, in the mountains, breathing in that splendid scent of nature along with friends and a good laugh.

Unfortunately, a little ways into this heaven, one of my buddies, Jacob, wasn't feeling so good, so the rest of us decided to go to the top ourselves and let him rest. However, when we came back down, he was feeling better again and wanted to go back up, which was a welcome surprise. We weren't very far from the cusp of the flatirons and we didn't want to deny him the view, so we went back up with him, and it was well worth it.

From the top, one can see downtown Denver and a wide expanse of the Colorado flats, including the beautiful CU Boulder campus. That combined with a little bouldering required to reach the top and the unique rock formations makes this hike well worth it, a solid four and a half stars out of five in my book. The only reason I would knock off half a star is because it takes maybe a half mile for the real incline and fun trekking to start, and the hike itself is pretty short, only a couple miles. Don't let that prevent you from doing it though, especially if all you're after is a short afternoon hike. It's comparable to one of those on the California coast--short, high incline and large elevation increase with an extremely rewarding view and pretty surrounding plant life.

All in all, a nice hike and an even nicer view.

Below are some other views from the hike:

Looking up at the second flatiron

A lookout point from which one can see Denver (just obscured here by the rock on the right).

View from the top looking east southeast.

Pano from the crevice in the 2nd flatiron, with the 1st on the left hand side and the 3rd on the right.

View from a crevice in the 2nd flatiron of the third flatiron

View from the top looking at the 1st flatiron. If you look closely, you might be able to see climbers, tethered in and otherwise, attempting to summit the face.