The Flatiron Loop is typically accessed via the well-known Chautauqua Trail and returned via the Bluebell Rd Trail. With less than 500 feet of elevation gain, you won’t be huffing and puffing. Nice mellow hike. The trail is mostly flat and I suggest hiking the loop counter-clockwise, this gives you a nicer return trip. Distance: 3.4 mile loop Elevation: 5,925 ft -6,105 ft Elevation Gain: 180 ft Bathroom at Trailhead: Yes Dogs: Off leash with Boulder green tag Date Hiked: 29 April, 2012 Fees: $5 to park if not a Boulder Co. resident Tags: #Boulder, #osmp, #hiking . Adventure; Hike We Like: Flatirons Vista Loop. Trail Photos Trail Map Print … But- did not anticipate the amount of bikers. Overall a very beautiful trail and area! At the junction of Hwys. Off-trail riding is not allowed in the Spring Brook Loop area or the Eldorado Mountain HCA, and is discouraged in other areas to protect rare plants and wildlife habitat. The draft plan defers the trail's designation until some future time, after a review of future conditions. We mostly saw mountain bikers on the trail. Please allow adequate time for parking, as this can be very a busy area. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Boulder's spectacular backdrop from the Flatirons Vista North Trail. To report suspicious activity please call City of Boulder Dispatch 303-441-3333 or Boulder County Dispatch 303-441-4444. Five Lakes Trail is a 4.4 mile loop with some elevation located in Olympic Valley (Tahoe National Forest). The mountains have a magnetism that is hard to explain. A new connector tunnel (completed in summer of 2014) will link to the Marsh… $5 fee for parking unless you are a Boulder resident. Early history of Native American sites. The Goshawk Ridge Trail and Eldorado Mountain HCA are accessible from Spring Brook Loop. Bluebirds may gather here in the spring. For an easy-to-moderate hike, take the two-mile Flatiron Loop Trail, winding through … Or view the interactive trail map (includes trail closures) and the interactive wildlife closures map. The first section is across the Discovery Trail. The first part of the hike can get monotonous, follow a dirt road and the power lines straight back to the Flatirons Vista. Shared By: Benjamin Pontecorvo. Coyotes, songbirds, birds of prey, mule deer, and bobcats are common year round. In 1 mile, take the connector trail back to the trailhead. See the Accessible Trails Page for details. Woe to those who have to live in Colorado! Awesome easy mountain biking trail. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. Quite a few mountain bikers....some not so trail friendly. A few little icy spots here and there but otherwise great. Loved it! From the parking lot, take South Flatiron Vista Trail for 2.4 miles, where you'll cross onto North Flatiron Vista Trail. Great trail! The Spring Brook Loop Trail adds 2.8 miles (roundtrip), an easy excursion that circles the base of Eldorado Canyon. Quite a few bikes. One and done for this trail.  The Hike: Like many of the Open Space trails near my area, Josh and I over-hiked the Flatirons Vista when we first moved to Colorado 8 years ago now. Contacts. It also requires a $5 fee at the parking lot. Doudy Draw / Flatirons Vista Parking Along Public Streets Unless Otherwise Posted !fOSMP Trailhead with Fee Parking! The first time we drove there, we happened to drive past the Flatirons and marveled at the sheer magnitude of these jagged plates of Earth and the great open space surrounding it. Bicycles are allowed on the Flatirons Vista Trails, Prairie Vista, and trails connecting with Doudy Draw and Community Ditch Trails. The beginning of the trail is wide and spaced out so you can keep your distance from others. the trail was beautiful. When to … To protect the resources, improve the visitor experience, and avoid unnecessary duplication of … Bears can be sighted spring through fall. Flatirons Vista North Trail is a 2.3 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Boulder, Colorado that offers the chance to see wildlife and is good for all skill levels. Too many people want to share the trail with me. Currently dry, no mud and not crowded when we started at 12:30...but much busier when we finished at 3. Learn more. The Flatiron is a 6-mile round trip hike highly ranked by most hikers. Parking lot was packed and so was the beginning of the trail. Lovely cold morning hike, snow packed, and secure with ice trekkers. The only bad part is there is very little shade. Grills and stoves are prohibited. By Terri Cook • February 17, 2015. The Flatirons Vista South Trail adds approximately 1.3 miles to the one-way distance by taking a more circuitous course across the mesa. © 2020 City of Boulder | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | About | Admin, 1777 Broadway, Boulder CO 80302 | 303-441-3388. It's a push (almost a climb) to the top, but well worth it. Less people further on. The path is mostly not shaded, and features a small pond. There is very little elevation gain and the path is basically a narrow dirt road. The trail draws you across an green meadow, then up through a notch between the First and Second Flatiron. “ A short trail that connects the northern section of the Flatirons Vista loop. Flatirons Vista Trail is a 5.6 kilometer heavily trafficked loop trail located near Boulder, Colorado that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. Stop at the Ranger Cottage for a trail map and to find out about any closures, then climb the steps to the trailhead junction. Watch for golden and bald eagles overhead in the winter. Land Manager: City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks. Related Trails: Flatiron Loop Trail; Mallory Cave; Royal Arch; Flatiron #1 - 2.9 Miles Round-Trip The Flatirons are remnants of the Fountain Formation, a feldspar-rich sand eroded from the ancestral Rocky Mountain uplift 300 million years ago. Keep the space in open space! The Flatiron Vista Loop trail is 3.3 miles. Nice views of the Flatirons. Free during covid. The Flatirons Vista Trail Head is a Boulder County park, requiring face masks and social distancing when hiking. Always bring a face covering. Dog excrement removal is required by law. City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks Connector from Marshall Mesa to Flatiron Vista - requires crossing Highway 93 at a stop light. Only recreate with members of your own household. Shared By: Brian Smith with improvements by Tim Car and 1 other Full Details. You don’t have to focus on every footstep and you can simply enjoy nature. Prairie Vista (0.9 mile) connects with Flatirons Vista South and offers visitors an opportunity to do a shorter loop back to the trailhead. But for some reason I had the Flatirons Vista trails practically all to myself this Saturday afternoon. Stay home if you are sick or exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms. The trail is mostly a rocky trail....not a smooth, dirt trail. Horses are also able to use this trail. Other bike trails on OSMP. As a continuation of the high Marshall Mesa Plateau, the views of Boulder’s iconic Flatirons are unmatched, especially if you have the opportunity to watch storms rolling in from the west. Flatiron Loop Trail - 2.1 Miles Round-Trip The Royal Arch, Flatiron Loop and Chautauqua trails form a short but scenic loop through open space and ponderosa forests at the base of Boulder's Flatirons. I haven't hiked here in probably 2 years, but drive by it frequently to get to other trails and have watched the semi-recent construction to update the trailhead as it … Rocky. Great views on this easy trail, with options to make it a longer hike if you veer off to an adjoining trail. By crossing Highway 93 at the stop light, bikes may access the Greenbelt Plateau and High Plains trails and the Marshall Mesa area. I prefer riding this one counterclockwise, but either way is nice. Flatirons Vista Trail is a loop trail (3.3 mile) leading out from the trailhead westward through open stands of ponderosa pine before the junction with Doudy Draw Trail. … It’s an easy hike and a trail runner’s dream. It ends at the saddle between the First Flatiron and Sunset Rock. Great loop! The trail head is located near Alpine Meadows ski area. This route is a great low-elevation option with views of Boulder’s Flatirons. Sun felt great and the trail is clearly marked. Start on the North Loop to have the best views throughout the hike. One is 3.3 miles and the other is just 1.9 miles. … Not much shade on the trail, but the sunshine was nice and warm for a Dec 4 hike! Plenty of trails will take you around and up to the Flatirons, and many of them start from the Chautauqua Trailhead, off Baseline Road. Good for testing out new tires or pedals, but not great for pounding out a lot of miles. Flatirons Vista North Loop Trail be designated now rather than later. Land Manager: City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks. Really busy! For a longer route between the Doudy Draw and Flatirons Vista Trailheads, use the Flatirons Vista South and Spring Brook Loop trails. To shorten the loop to 2 miles, hike South Flatiron for just 1 mile to Prairie Vista Trail, which leads back to the connector in another mile. Contacts. The hiking is straightforward, with views out across the plains towards the foothills. A quick, easy, smooth trail. Learn more about riding your horse on OSMP. Full Details. Probably only saw 6 people the whole trail. Photos and trail descriptions of 'Hike the Flatirons Vista Loop Trail' and more, submitted by the Outbound community. For crimes in progress, call 911 immediately. Snow mostly melted. It winds through the Ponderosa pines and meadows that skirt of the famous Flatirons just south of Boulder. From this high point, there are expansive views out over the plains, and you also have the option to cross highway 93 here to meet up with the east Marshall Mesa trail system and the Dirty Bismarck loop. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from April until September. Why we love it: This loop’s gentle gradient lets you focus on the eye-popping views of Boulder’s spectacular backdrop. Note: This trail may be CLOSED due to muddy conditions. Great trail. highly recommended. This is a great trail to just enjoy a walk on. This short doubletrack trail completes the Flatirons Vista loop. Follow these other important recreation guidelines: 0.3 mile south of Highway 128 on Highway 93. Lots of room on the trails to social distance from hikers, bikers, and trail runners. Saw some wildlife. Located 15 minutes from downtown Boulder and far from the crowds, Flatirons Vista offers 3.3 miles of simple pleasures. This little hike is ready to take you to the next level by bringing it down a notch. The loop's moderate grades are ideal for runners, and a good alternative to more challenging trails leading from Chautauqua Park. For current conditions, please check https://maps.bouldercolorado.gov/osmp-trails/?_ga=2.46731559.1013192217.1587579849-1695750673.1587579849 Sediments deposited by inland oceans compressed this layer into sandstone, thrust upward 45 million years ago by the same forces that created our modern Rocky … Trail Ratings 2.6 from 7 votes #12 in Marshall Mesa #35744 … Doudy Draw Trail descends from the western edge of the Flatirons Plateau into the draw and north to the Doudy Draw Trailhead. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, horses, and mountain biking. Doudy Draw Trail descends from the western edge of the Flatirons Plateau into the draw and north to the Doudy Draw Trailhead. This area is identified as being popular with people using wheelchairs. Starting from the Bluebell-Baird Trail, head south on the Flatirons Loop Trail to two trail signs, then west to begin switching back and forth between the First and Second Flatirons. 5 Lakes Trail. Trail Ratings 2.6 from 7 votes #12 in Marshall Mesa #35952 … An RTD bus passes very close to this trailhead. It is a beautiful hike through open meadows, pine forest, rock falls, and valley floor. In other areas, dogs must be on a hand-held leash at all times unless they meet the voice and sight control standard and display a City of Boulder Voice and Sight tag. Land Manager: City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks. (A Access Point - !. Flatirons Vista Trail. Flatirons Vista Trail is a 3.5 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Boulder, Colorado that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The City of Boulder welcomes your feedback. The Flatiron Vista Loop trail offers 2 loops. Full Details. The Flatirons Vista Trailhead is located on the far south end of Boulder. Trail Map | Photo Gallery. Started at 3:30 and finished at 4:30. Contacts. | More Info. It’s a popular, well-marked, trail with a decent amount of elevation and beautiful views. You’ll find the best part of this hike in the Flatirons at the end of the trail: some breathtaking and unmatched views of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. There is a wealth of hiking, trail running and mountain biking available from the Flatirons Vista Trailhead. View Flatirons Vista Trail Map Flatirons Vista Trail is a loop trail (3.3 mile) leading out from the trailhead westward through open stands of ponderosa pine before the junction with Doudy Draw Trail. Prairie Vista (0.9 mile) connects with Flatirons Vista South and offers visitors an opportunity to do a shorter loop back to the trailhead. Current and historic grazing area. Sunny for most of it. This short doubletrack trail completes the Flatirons Vista loop. Parking lot on west side of Highway 93 with a parking fee. Great trail! Use our Inquire Boulder customer service tool to tell us what’s on your mind. The Boulder Star area on Flagstaff Mountain IS CLOSED to prevent gatherings amid the COVID-19 pandemic and because of ecological and safety concerns in the area. 93. The following route accesses the Royal Arch Trail … Shared By: Benjamin Pontecorvo. Flatirons Vista North or South will lead to the Flatirons Vista Trailhead on Highway 93. This short and easy loop in Boulder Open Space has killer views of the Flatirons, plus several great options for lengthening your route. You can use this to connect to Dowdy Draw, Community Ditch, Greenbelt, and all of the other trails around this area, though, for a longer ride. It is not an easy hike, rising a little over 700' in a mile to the base of the 2nd flatiron. it was very windy but beautiful sunny day. Always stay at least 6 feet from non-household visitors. You are responsible for knowing and complying with all closures and OSMP rules & regulations. Popular with people using wheelchairs birds of prey, mule deer, and with... 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