Grills and stoves are prohibited. Please keep your car doors locked and your car windows rolled up at all times while leaving your vehicle parked at OSMP trailheads.  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. Great trail! Bluebirds may gather here in the spring. Parking was packed but people were coming and going so didn’t have to wait too long. Bluebirds may gather here in the spring. This short doubletrack trail completes the Flatirons Vista loop. This little hike is ready to take you to the next level by bringing it down a notch. Equestrians are allowed on all trails in the Flatirons Vista area. Contacts. City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks Connector from Marshall Mesa to Flatiron Vista - requires crossing Highway 93 at a stop light. Less people further on. 93. The first part of the hike can get monotonous, follow a dirt road and the power lines straight back to the Flatirons Vista. Contacts. Lovely cold morning hike, snow packed, and secure with ice trekkers. The Goshawk Ridge Trail and Eldorado Mountain HCA are accessible from Spring Brook Loop. Parking lot was packed and so was the beginning of the trail. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, horses, and mountain biking. Adventure; Hike We Like: Flatirons Vista Loop. Nice mellow hike. Or view the interactive trail map (includes trail closures) and the interactive wildlife closures map. Note: This trail may be CLOSED due to muddy conditions. Really great! Shared By: Benjamin Pontecorvo. This short and easy loop in Boulder Open Space has killer views of the Flatirons, plus several great options for lengthening your route. 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 . 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. The Flatiron is a 6-mile round trip hike highly ranked by most hikers. Five Lakes Trail is a 4.4 mile loop with some elevation located in Olympic Valley (Tahoe National Forest). “ A short trail that connects the northern section of the Flatirons Vista loop. Hiking the Flatirons near Boulder, Colorado is a must. Shadow Canyon Trail to South Boulder Peak, South Boulder Peak, Bear Peak, and Green Mountain Trail, Flatirons Vista North Trail to Springbrook Trail loop, Mesa, Homestead, Shadow Canyon, and Towhee Loop, Flat Irons North and Prairie Vista Loop Trail, Prairie Vista and Flatirons Vista South Loop, South Mesa, Bluestem and Shadow Canyon Loop, South Boulder Peak, Bear Peak and Nebel Horn Loop, Flatirons Vista, Community Ditch, and Greenbelt Plateau Loop, Mesa Trail: Eldorado Springs to Chautauqua, Greenbelt Plateau to Doudy Draw to Flatiron Vista, https://maps.bouldercolorado.gov/osmp-trails/?_ga=2.46731559.1013192217.1587579849-1695750673.1587579849. Woe to those who have to live in Colorado! 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. It is not an easy hike, rising a little over 700' in a mile to the base of the 2nd flatiron. Shared By: Benjamin Pontecorvo. In 1 mile, take the connector trail back to the trailhead. It’s an easy hike and a trail runner’s dream. Great views on this easy trail, with options to make it a longer hike if you veer off to an adjoining trail. 5 Lakes Trail. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from April until September. We mostly saw mountain bikers on the trail. It's a push (almost a climb) to the top, but well worth it. Learn about Taking the Bus to OSMP. Lots of room on the trails to social distance from hikers, bikers, and trail runners. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. Photos and trail descriptions of 'Hike the Flatirons Vista Loop Trail' and more, submitted by the Outbound community. Dogs must be leashed seasonally on the upper section of the Doudy Draw Trail south of Community Ditch Trail and west of the Flatirons Vista Trailhead because of black bear activity. Since then I have wanted to hike those trails. Shared By: Brian Smith with improvements by Tim Car and 1 other Full Details. The trail head is located near Alpine Meadows ski area. Only recreate with members of your own household. The hiking is straightforward, with views out across the plains towards the foothills. 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. The Flatirons Vista South Trail adds approximately 1.3 miles to the one-way distance by taking a more circuitous course across the mesa. . The trail loops around back to the east and eventually northeast all the way to the eastern end of Flatirons Vista North. Saw some wildlife. Information on parking permits & fees. The mountains have a magnetism that is hard to explain. Early history of Native American sites. highly recommended. The Flatirons Vista Trailhead is located on the far south end of Boulder. A quick, easy, smooth trail. 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. 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 … They will wind you through the ponderosa pines and meadows that skirt of the famous Flatirons just south of Boulder. Not much shade on the trail, but the sunshine was nice and warm for a Dec 4 hike! 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. Trail Mileage Points Trail Managed By OSMP Hiking Trail Multi-Use Trail Boulder County Open Space Trail Hiking Trail 40 Foot Elevation Contour No Public Access OSMP Ownership Habitat Conservation Area (HCA) 00.250.125 Miles F Off-Trail Permit Required Go to … There is very little elevation gain and the path is basically a narrow dirt road. Great trail. Disappointed in Colorado ends on how many bags of dog poop they can leave on the side of the trail. Dog excrement removal is required by law. Local Club: Boulder Mountainbike Alliance. Horses are also able to use this trail. Doudy Draw / Flatirons Vista Parking Along Public Streets Unless Otherwise Posted !fOSMP Trailhead with Fee Parking! This is Flatirons Vista Trailhead, with a network of trails branching out through the ponderosa pine-dotted prairie and into the foothills. The scenery is outstanding for an easy trail that provides a little bit of forest and lots of rolling prairie hills until you reach the drop down and back views of the Flat Irons. 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 running is straightforward, with views out across the plains towards the foothills. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. More First and Second Flatirons Loop is a 2.5 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Boulder, Colorado that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. 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. Pretty views on a snowy day. 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. Picnic facilities located at Doudy Draw picnic area, 3.4 miles from the Flatirons Vista Trailhead. … Located 15 minutes from downtown Boulder and far from the crowds, Flatirons Vista offers 3.3 miles of simple pleasures. Free during covid. The view of the Flatirons from the Flatirons Vista Trail on an afternoon in spring. Currently dry, no mud and not crowded when we started at 12:30...but much busier when we finished at 3. Sunny for most of it. Plenty of trails will take you around and up to the Flatirons, and many of them start from the Chautauqua Trailhead, off Baseline Road. The Flatiron Vista Trail is a 3.3 mile loop trail that is rated as easy. By crossing Highway 93 at the stop light, bikes may access the Greenbelt Plateau and High Plains trails and the Marshall Mesa area. Trail Ratings 2.6 from 7 votes #12 in Marshall Mesa #35744 … © 2020 City of Boulder | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | About | Admin, 1777 Broadway, Boulder CO 80302 | 303-441-3388. Prairie Vista (0.9 mile) connects with Flatirons Vista South and offers visitors an opportunity to do a shorter loop back to the trailhead. 93 and 128, you'll find a trailhead on the right. I prefer riding this one counterclockwise, but either way is nice. Good for testing out new tires or pedals, but not great for pounding out a lot of miles. “ A short trail that connects the northern section of the Flatirons Vista loop. Parking lot on west side of Highway 93 with a parking fee. Always stay at least 6 feet from non-household visitors. This short doubletrack trail completes the Flatirons Vista loop. Visitors entering the Boulder Star closure area on Flagstaff Mountain can face up to a $1,000 fine or 90 days in jail. For an easy-to-moderate hike, take the two-mile Flatiron Loop Trail, winding through … For crimes in progress, call 911 immediately. It’s a popular, well-marked, trail with a decent amount of elevation and beautiful views. 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. If switchbacks are your passion, this hike will show you the flip side. There’s even more though. The first section is across the Discovery Trail. Land Manager: City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks. Bears can be sighted spring through fall. … It also requires a $5 fee at the parking lot. The only bad part is there is very little shade. The Spring Brook Loop can be accessed by following the Doudy Draw trail 1 mile past the junction with Flatirons Vista. 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. This route is a great low-elevation option with views of Boulder’s Flatirons. This is a great trail to just enjoy a walk on. Dogs are allowed on Spring Brook North and along Fowler Trail to County Road 67 if they are on a hand-held leash and on-trail; dogs are not allowed on Spring Brook South or Goshawk Ridge. It is a beautiful hike through open meadows, pine forest, rock falls, and valley floor. Follow these other important recreation guidelines: 0.3 mile south of Highway 128 on Highway 93. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. Overall a very beautiful trail and area! The Flatiron Vista Loop trail offers 2 loops. The Flatiron Vista Loop trail is 3.3 miles. 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