{"id":9418,"date":"2024-09-03T22:59:20","date_gmt":"2024-09-03T14:59:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/?p=9418"},"modified":"2025-02-24T01:56:43","modified_gmt":"2025-02-23T17:56:43","slug":"20240903flatirons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/2024\/09\/03\/20240903flatirons\/","title":{"rendered":"Day 5 of Summer 2024 Trip to Colorado, Flatirons"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The fifth and last day of my summer 2024 trip to Colorado. In the morning, I took a short hike to the Flatirons before getting ready for my flight back home in the afternoon.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/DSC_2986.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_2986.jpg\" alt=\"Flatirons\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Flatirons<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/splide.min.2.4.21.js\"><\/script>\n<link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/splide-skyblue.min.css\">\n<script>\ndocument.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function () {\n\tvar secondarySlider1 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-1', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:67,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:57,height:38,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider1 = new Splide( '#splide-major-1', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider1.sync( secondarySlider1 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider2 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-2', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:68,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:56,height:38,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider2 = new Splide( '#splide-major-2', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider2.sync( secondarySlider2 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider3 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-3', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:75,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:56,height:42,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider3 = new Splide( '#splide-major-3', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider3.sync( secondarySlider3 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider4 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-4', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:67,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:57,height:38,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider4 = new Splide( '#splide-major-4', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider4.sync( secondarySlider4 ).mount();\n} );\n<\/script><\/p>\n<p><!--more>\n\nToday, I had a video conference scheduled for mid-afternoon, just before my flight home at 5:35 PM. That left my morning completely free. I didn't find downtown Denver that appealing during my visit back in 2022, so I decided to make the most of my final hours in Colorado this time in nature by planning a final hike to the Flatirons.\n\nThe Flatirons are rock slabs of Fountain Formation featuring steeply sloped triangular shapes, created by differential erosion. This morning, I chose to hike the First and Second Flatirons Loop <a href=\"https:\/\/www.alltrails.com\/trail\/us\/colorado\/first-and-second-flatiron-loop\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(AllTrails link, but in reverse)<\/a>. The trail winds through the incline between the First and Second Flatirons, eventually ending just below the summit of the First Flatiron.\n\nIt's a Tuesday morning. Weirdly, there was some traffic on US36 heading towards Boulder (I thought the morning rush should only take place in the Denver direction). Since it's a weekday, there was free parking at Chautauqua Trailhead, but the parking lot was pretty full. In the end, I started my hike at 8:20am. \nHere's GPS tracking:\n\n\n<div class=\"mobile-hide\" style=\"width:100%;aspect-ratio:6\/5;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wikiloc.com\/wikiloc\/spatialArtifacts.do?event=view&id=202010831&measures=on&title=off&near=off&images=off&maptype=H\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"desktop-hide\" style=\"width:100%;aspect-ratio:3\/5;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wikiloc.com\/wikiloc\/spatialArtifacts.do?event=view&id=202010831&measures=on&title=off&near=off&images=off&maptype=H\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n\n\n\nNot long after leaving the trailhead, there were information markers nearby explaining the origin of the name \"Chautauqua\" Trailhead. Essentially, the villas nearby belonged to Colorado Chautauqua, founded at the turn of the 19\/20 century as a \"cultural and educational movement\", TLDR: tree huggers. Back then, it offered the general public a chance to enjoy vacations that combined outdoor activities with cultural and educational programs.\n\n\n\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-1\">\n\n\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n\n\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n\n\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/DSC_2989.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_2989.jpg\" alt=\"Flatirons from Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Flatirons from Trail<\/li>\n\n\n\n\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/DSC_2987.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_2987.jpg\" alt=\"Flatirons\" \/><\/a><\/br>Flatirons<\/li>\n\n\n\n\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/DSC_2990.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_2990.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Third Flatiron\" \/><\/a><\/br>Third Flatiron<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">With graffiti \"CU\" on it.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-1\">\n\n\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n\n\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n\n\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_2989.jpg\" alt=\"Flatirons from Trail\" \/><\/li>\n\n\n\n\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_2987.jpg\" alt=\"Flatirons\" \/><\/li>\n\n\n\n\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_2990.jpg\" alt=\"Third Flatiron\" \/><\/li>\n\n\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<noscript>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.\n\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-1, #splide-thumb-1 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n\n\n\n\n<details>\n\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the Flatirons.<\/summary>\n\n\n[caption width=\"605\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/DSC_2989.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_2989.jpg\" alt=\"Flatirons from Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Flatirons from Trail[\/caption]\n\n[caption width=\"605\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/DSC_2987.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_2987.jpg\" alt=\"Flatirons\" \/><\/a><\/br>Flatirons[\/caption]\n\n[caption width=\"605\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/DSC_2990.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_2990.jpg\" alt=\"Third Flatiron\" \/><\/a><\/br>Third Flatiron<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">With graffiti \"CU\" on it.<\/span>[\/caption]\n<\/details>\n\n<\/noscript>\n\nInitially, I followed \"Bluebell Trail\", which was a bit dusty. However, once the trail led into the trees, I faced the biggest challenge of the day: the heat. I had chosen to hike in the morning, hoping for cooler temperatures, as the clothes I packed for this trip were too warm for typical Boulder summer weather. (Plus, the flatirons and the fields below were in the light, making for better photos.) Otherwise, I could have easily visited the Flatirons yesterday after arriving in Broomfield from Leadville. \nUnfortunately, even wearing my lightest clothes, the intense elevation gain along the switchbacks had me sweating heavily. (I was also in a bit of rush to get back to the hotel before checkout time). All in all, it wasn\u2019t the most enjoyable hiking experience.\n\n[caption width=\"605\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/20240903_085352.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails-m\/20240903_085352.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Rocky Hillside\" \/><\/a>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/20240903_085441.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails-m\/20240903_085441.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Trail among Rocks\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail Navigating through Rocky Hillside<\/br>\n\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">How the trail (right) navigated the steep rocky incline (left) between the first and second flatirons, with this being the typical condition.<\/div>\n\n[\/caption]\n\n[caption width=\"605\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/20240903_095955C7.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails-m\/20240903_095955C7.jpg\" width=\"63.04%\" alt=\"Overlooking Technical Move\" \/><\/a>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/20240903_100116.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails-m\/20240903_100116.jpg\" width=\"35.46%\" alt=\"Technical Move\" \/><\/a><\/br>Technical Move<\/br>\n\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Likely the only technical move on the lower end of YDS class 3. Footholds and handholds were plenty.<\/div>\n\n[\/caption]\n\nAt a somewhat rushed pace, I reached the end of the trail, just beneath the top of the first Flatiron, at 9:20am, about an hour after leaving my car.\n\n[caption width=\"605\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/20240903_092418.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails-m\/20240903_092418.jpg\" width=\"51.85%\" alt=\"End of Trail beneath First Flatiron\" \/><\/a>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/DSC_3000.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails-m\/DSC_3000.jpg\" width=\"46.15%\" alt=\"Top of the First Flatiron\" \/><\/a><\/br>Top of the First Flatiron<\/br>\n\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">The end of the trail (left), wasn't very impressive with some trees blocking the views. Instead, I took a few steps west and climbed onto a small rocky slab, where the views were much better (right, also see slideshow below).<\/div>\n\n[\/caption]\n\n\n\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-2\">\n\n\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n\n\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n\n\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/DDSC_2994C11.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_2994C11.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Distant Longs Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Distant Longs Peak<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Which I climbed in September 2022.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/DSC_2997.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_2997.jpg\" alt=\"Indian Peaks of Front Range\" \/><\/a><\/br>Indian Peaks of Front Range<\/li>\n\n\n\n\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/DSC_2996.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_2996.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Indian Peaks of Front Range\" \/><\/a><\/br>Indian Peaks of Front Range<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Old Baldy, North Arapaho Peak, Deshawa, Mount Albion, Kiowa Peak, Apache Peak<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/DSC_2998.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_2998.jpg\" alt=\"Rolling Hills to the North\" \/><\/a><\/br>Rolling Hills to the North<\/li>\n\n\n\n\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/20240903_094114.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails\/20240903_094114.jpg\" width=\"89%\" alt=\"Third Flatiron\" \/><\/a><\/br>Third Flatiron<\/li>\n\n\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-2\">\n\n\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n\n\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n\n\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_2994C11.jpg\" alt=\"Distant Longs Peak\" \/><\/li>\n\n\n\n\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_2997.jpg\" alt=\"Indian Peaks of Front Range\" \/><\/li>\n\n\n\n\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_2996.jpg\" alt=\"Indian Peaks of Front Range\" \/><\/li>\n\n\n\n\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_2998.jpg\" alt=\"Rolling Hills to the North\" \/><\/li>\n\n\n\n\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails-s\/20240903_094114.jpg\" alt=\"Third Flatiron\" \/><\/li>\n\n\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<noscript>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.\n\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-2, #splide-thumb-2 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n\n\n\n\n<details>\n\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n\n\n[caption width=\"605\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/DDSC_2994C11.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_2994C11.jpg\" alt=\"Distant Longs Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Distant Longs Peak<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Which I climbed in September 2022.<\/span>[\/caption]\n\n[caption width=\"605\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/DSC_2997.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_2997.jpg\" alt=\"Indian Peaks of Front Range\" \/><\/a><\/br>Indian Peaks of Front Range[\/caption]\n\n[caption width=\"605\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/DSC_2996.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_2996.jpg\" alt=\"Indian Peaks of Front Range\" \/><\/a><\/br>Indian Peaks of Front Range<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Old Baldy, North Arapaho Peak, Deshawa, Mount Albion, Kiowa Peak, Apache Peak<\/span>[\/caption]\n\n[caption width=\"605\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/DSC_2998.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_2998.jpg\" alt=\"Rolling Hills to the North\" \/><\/a><\/br>Rolling Hills to the North[\/caption]\n\n[caption width=\"605\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/20240903_094114.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails\/20240903_094114.jpg\" alt=\"Third Flatiron\" \/><\/a><\/br>Third Flatiron[\/caption]\n<\/details>\n\n<\/noscript>\n\nBeing pressed on time, I only remained for 15 minutes at the top of the trail before starting my descent. \n\n[caption width=\"605\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/20240903_094727.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails-m\/20240903_094727.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Rocks of the Second Flatiron\" \/><\/a>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/20240903_094901.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails-m\/20240903_094901.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Rocks of the Second Flatiron\" \/><\/a><\/br>Rocks of the Second Flatiron<\/br>\n\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Since the trail winds through the incline between the first and the second flatirons, one could catch these glimpses of the top of the second flatiron.<\/div>\n\n[\/caption]\n\nHonestly, I found the best views on this trail to be near the top of the second Flatiron and along the switchbacks just before reaching it. From there, one enjoys unobstructed views of the vast open fields stretching to the east and truly appreciates how abruptly the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains rises above them.\n\n\n\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-3\">\n\n\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n\n\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n\n\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/20240903_094433.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails\/20240903_094433.jpg\" alt=\"Upper Part of the First Flatiron\" \/><\/a><\/br>Upper Part of the First Flatiron<\/li>\n\n\n\n\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/20240903_094436.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails\/20240903_094436.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking Trail Switchbacks\" \/><\/a><\/br>Overlooking Trail Switchbacks<\/li>\n\n\n\n\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/20240903_095854.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails\/20240903_095854.jpg\" alt=\"Second and Third Flatirons\" \/><\/a><\/br>Second and Third Flatirons<\/li>\n\n\n\n\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/20240903_095908.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails\/20240903_095908.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking City of Boulder\" \/><\/a><\/br>Overlooking City of Boulder<\/li>\n\n\n\n\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/20240903_085918.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails\/20240903_085918.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking City of Boulder\" \/><\/a><\/br>Overlooking City of Boulder<\/li>\n\n\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-3\">\n\n\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n\n\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n\n\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails-s\/20240903_094433.jpg\" alt=\"Upper Part of the First Flatiron\" \/><\/li>\n\n\n\n\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails-s\/20240903_094436.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking Trail Switchbacks\" \/><\/li>\n\n\n\n\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails-s\/20240903_095854.jpg\" alt=\"Second and Third Flatirons\" \/><\/li>\n\n\n\n\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails-s\/20240903_095908.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking City of Boulder\" \/><\/li>\n\n\n\n\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails-s\/20240903_085918.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking City of Boulder\" \/><\/li>\n\n\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<noscript>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.\n\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-3, #splide-thumb-3 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n\n\n\n\n<details>\n\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n\n\n[caption width=\"605\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/20240903_094433.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails\/20240903_094433.jpg\" alt=\"Upper Part of the First Flatiron\" \/><\/a><\/br>Upper Part of the First Flatiron[\/caption]\n\n[caption width=\"605\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/20240903_094436.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails\/20240903_094436.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking Trail Switchbacks\" \/><\/a><\/br>Overlooking Trail Switchbacks[\/caption]\n\n[caption width=\"605\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/20240903_095854.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails\/20240903_095854.jpg\" alt=\"Second and Third Flatirons\" \/><\/a><\/br>Second and Third Flatirons[\/caption]\n\n[caption width=\"605\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/20240903_095908.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails\/20240903_095908.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking City of Boulder\" \/><\/a><\/br>Overlooking City of Boulder[\/caption]\n\n[caption width=\"605\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/20240903_085918.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails\/20240903_085918.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking City of Boulder\" \/><\/a><\/br>Overlooking City of Boulder[\/caption]\n<\/details>\n\n<\/noscript>\n\n[caption width=\"605\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/20240903_100647.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails-m\/20240903_100647.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Looking up to First Flatiron\" \/><\/a>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/20240903_100650.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails-m\/20240903_100650.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Looking up to First Flatiron\" \/><\/a><\/br>Looking up to First Flatiron<\/br>\n\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">A few steps away from the main trail, this was the base of the first flatiron, providing climber access.<\/div>\n\n[\/caption]\n\nAnd some final photos of the flatirons once the trail left the switchbacks into open fields. The sky was visibly more cloudy compared to two hours ago.\n\n\n\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-4\">\n\n\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n\n\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n\n\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/DSC_3004C11.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_3004C11.jpg\" alt=\"Third Flatiron\" \/><\/a><\/br>Third Flatiron<\/li>\n\n\n\n\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/DSC_3006.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_3006.jpg\" alt=\"First Flatiron\" \/><\/a><\/br>First Flatiron<\/li>\n\n\n\n\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/DSC_3008.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_3008.jpg\" alt=\"Flatirons\" \/><\/a><\/br>Flatirons<\/li>\n\n\n\n\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/DSC_3014.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_3014.jpg\" alt=\"Flatirons\" \/><\/a><\/br>Flatirons<\/li>\n\n\n\n\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/DSC_3009.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_3009.jpg\" alt=\"CU Boulder Main Campus\" \/><\/a><\/br>CU Boulder Main Campus<\/li>\n\n\n\n\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/DSC_3010.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_3010.jpg\" alt=\"Rolling Hills to the North\" \/><\/a><\/br>Rolling Hills to the North<\/li>\n\n\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-4\">\n\n\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n\n\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n\n\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_3004C11.jpg\" alt=\"Third Flatiron\" \/><\/li>\n\n\n\n\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_3006.jpg\" alt=\"First Flatiron\" \/><\/li>\n\n\n\n\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_3008.jpg\" alt=\"Flatirons\" \/><\/li>\n\n\n\n\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_3014.jpg\" alt=\"Flatirons\" \/><\/li>\n\n\n\n\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_3009.jpg\" alt=\"CU Boulder Main Campus\" \/><\/li>\n\n\n\n\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_3010.jpg\" alt=\"Rolling Hills to the North\" \/><\/li>\n\n\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<noscript>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.\n\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-4, #splide-thumb-4 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n\n\n\n\n<details>\n\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n\n\n[caption width=\"605\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/DSC_3004C11.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_3004C11.jpg\" alt=\"Third Flatiron\" \/><\/a><\/br>Third Flatiron[\/caption]\n\n[caption width=\"605\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/DSC_3006.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_3006.jpg\" alt=\"First Flatiron\" \/><\/a><\/br>First Flatiron[\/caption]\n\n[caption width=\"605\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/DSC_3008.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_3008.jpg\" alt=\"Flatirons\" \/><\/a><\/br><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/DSC_3014.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_3014.jpg\" alt=\"Flatirons\" \/><\/a><\/br>Flatirons[\/caption]\n\n[caption width=\"605\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/DSC_3009.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_3009.jpg\" alt=\"CU Boulder Main Campus\" \/><\/a><\/br>CU Boulder Main Campus[\/caption]\n\n[caption width=\"605\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/DSC_3010.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2024\/09\/03\/thumbnails\/DSC_3010.jpg\" alt=\"Rolling Hills to the North\" \/><\/a><\/br>Rolling Hills to the North[\/caption]\n<\/details>\n\n<\/noscript>\n\nIn the end, I returned to my car just under an hour after starting my descent. This gave me just enough time to get back to the hotel, take a quick shower, and check out of my room. Afterwards, I headed to the airport, ready to tackle the rest of the day's activities.\n\nEND\n<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The fifth and last day of my summer 2024 trip to Colorado. In the morning, I took a short hike to the Flatirons before getting ready for my flight back home in the afternoon.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[666,2],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9418"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9418"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9418\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9447,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9418\/revisions\/9447"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9418"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9418"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9418"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}