Birthday hike in the Flatirons [catching up]

This post takes us back two months to my 26th birthday, which was 5 days after I moved to Boulder. I wanted to post these pictures to catch up on previous weekends where I actually remembered the camera (Before the Huron Peak hike I forgot the camera two weekends in a row).

I started by parking near Baseline Rd and 7th to wonder into Chautauqua Park (I did not know until researching that Chautauqua apparently means educational adult summer camp) and see how close to the Flatirons I could get before I needed climbing equipment. I hiked for about 30 minutes to get to the top of the First Flatiron, which was clearly marked. I took the following pictures (click for actual size) looking down on Boulder:

Notice how bare the trees are near the CU campus... it's rained a lot since then, and everything is very green.

I was surprised to find there are steps enabling you to walk up further than where the climbing routes begin. I stayed for quite a while on an exposed outcroup to enjoy the sun, which eventually was hidden by clouds.

The split to the Second Flatiron is not far down from the base of the First Flatiron, so on my way back I decided to also go up to the Second Flatiron. That is a bit more strenuous, but still not terribly difficult. The view into the canyon separating the Third and Fourth Flatiron was very pretty. Here is the Second Flatiron:

And looking left to the Third Flatiron:


Despite not being able to spend my birthday with family or friends, it was still enjoyable. This was a welcome introduction to my new home.