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Flagstaff Summit Loop

 8 votes
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Front Range
  4. …Boulder
  5. Flagstaff Mountain
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Length

2.4 Miles 3.9 Kilometers

90%

Runnable

Elevation

346' 105 m

Ascent

-337' -103 m

Descent

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

22%

Max Grade (12°)

6,919' 2,109 m

High

6,758' 2,060 m

Low

Conditions

Minor Issues 84 days ago
Snowy, Icy: On the western loop there is still a lot of snow and ice. Just be careful. History
Getting forecast...

“Experience awesome views and dense douglas-fir forest on this easy run.”

— Tom Robson
GPX File — Driving Directions

Overview

This easy route offers great views for minimal effort - it's great for families looking to bring the kids, or folks just hoping to get in a quick run to experience the outdoors.

Due to its easily accessed nature, this route can get very crowded - especially on a nice Summer day.
Features: Fall Colors — Views — Wildlife
Dogs: No Dogs

Description

Boy Scout begins and ends at the Sunrise Amphitheater and heads west through Douglas-fir forest, providing good views of Boulder Canyon. The trail gradually rises and falls to May's Point for an excellent view of the Indian Peaks. Return back to the parking lot at the west end of Flagstaff Summit via Boy Scout Trail.

From Boy Scout, head south on Ute Trail, then make an immediate right onto Range View. Aptly named, Range View provides excellent views of the Indian Peaks as it follows the west side of Flagstaff Mountain. Keep a sharp lookout for birds of prey as the trail returns back to Realization Point - they tend to frequent this area.

From Realization Point, turn left (north), on Ute Trail. Ute skirts the summit of Flagstaff Mountain (7,283 feet) and ends at the Flagstaff Summit Rd. This trail was named to honor the Ute Indians.

From here, turn right onto the road which will take you back to your car. Nice work!

Flora & Fauna

Black bears and mountain lions inhabit this area, although you are unlikely to encounter them. Many other wildlife species are common including songbirds, birds of prey, mule deer, red foxes, and coyotes.

History & Background

The historic picnic structures and Sunrise Amphitheater were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s, along with improvements to Flagstaff Road. Flagstaff Summit was the site of the KKK cross burning in 1922. A large wildfire burned across the summit of Flagstaff Mountain in October 1924, followed in the late 1920s by a large community effort led by Eben Fein to replant trees. Exactly 70 years later, almost to the day, Open Space & Mountain Parks conducted a 20 acre prescribed burn on the same site -- underscoring how our perception of forest fires has changed through the years.

Contacts

Land Manager: Boulder County, CO - Parks and Open Space

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Jun 20, 2017
Steve Bennett
95 degrees
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.1 from 8 votes

#2

in Flagstaff Mountain

#1828

Overall
  4.1 from 8 votes
5 Star
25%
4 Star
63%
3 Star
13%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Rankings

#2

in Flagstaff Mountain

#259

in Colorado

#1,828

Overall
245 Views Last Month
3,213 Since May 2, 2015
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
17%
33%
50%
0%
0%
0%
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Photos

Boulder panorama from the Boy Scout Trail
Boulder panorama from the Boy Scout Trail
 6
Wildflowers along the Artist Point Trail
Wildflowers along the Artist Point Trail
 3
Chatauqua Park, on the Rangeview Trail!
Chatauqua Park, on the Rangeview Trail!
 3
Scary views of the Fourmile Fire of September 2010.
Scary views of the Fourmile Fire of September 2…
 4
Distant views of the continental divide from Artist Point
Distant views of the continental divide from Ar…
 2
Stellar views of western Boulder County
Stellar views of western Boulder County
 2
Fun scrambling near the end of May's Point
Fun scrambling near the end of May's Point
 3

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