8 THE CAMPUS PRESS APRIL 18 - 24, 2006
I N F OCUS »
Blue skies, bolts
The Flatirons jut sharply into the sky from the main trail in Chautauqua Park in Boulder. The trail leads to several popular climbing and hiking spots and some of the
best views along the Rocky Mountain base.
Hiking
For shorter hikes, there are a number of loops starting
at the Ranger Cottage in Chautauqua Park.
For one that still provides a good workout and beauti-
ful scenery, take Chautauqua trail to Bluebell Baird, left on
Bluebell-Baird to the shelter, then return to the cottage on
the Mesa fire road. This hike is less than two miles and can
be completed in a couple of hours.
The Green Mountain Loop provides a nice hike if you
have the entire day for hiking. Check out the map at the base
of the trail. Starting out at the Ranger Cottage in Chautauqua,
there are a variety of routes and you should know where you
want to go before you start your hike.
Routes and mileages starting at the Ranger
Cottage in Chautauqua Park can be found on the
map at http://www.ci.boulder.co.us/openspace/.
Walker Ranch is a bit of a longer hike or bike ride,
offering 12 miles of trail. This loop takes one through
part of Eldorado State Canyon Park, drops down to
South Boulder Creek twice and has varying terrain.
There are also more leisurely options for
a quick stroll through nature. The lower Mt.
Sanitas loop offers a nice and easy escape. This
is an easy path without much incline, but it still
allows hikers to get in touch with mother nature,
especially when there is little time to spare.
The Mt. Sanitas trailhead is in North Boulder
on the north side of Mapleton Ave.
Climbing
Boulder is well known for its climbing, and for
good reason. The Flatirons offer a variety of routes Hikers are able to relax at the top of Mount Sanitas
climb.
with easy access that make them a popular destination for all
climbers.
On days it may seem impossible to get a climb in at Eldorado
Canyon because of the crowds, head back to the West Ridge.
“Itʼs really beautiful, when thereʼs a party at every peak
at the bottom of the canyon, it can seem you have the place
all to yourself,” said climber Rick Hatfield, who is also a
park ranger with the City of Boulder.
For beginners and those just looking for some good
bouldering, check out Crown Rock. A little more than two
miles up Flagstaff Road, it is a quick getaway. It has couple
of easy top-roping routes and some shorter routes for those
CP Photo/Katie Klane in the rocks.
(above) after a short
& dirty feet
CP Photo/Niall Bouzon
just looking for a quick workout on the rocks.
Another great route for all times of the year is Dome
Rock. Its orientation allows the rock to get great sunlight
year-round. About half a mile up Boulder Canyon on the
right hand side, it is close enough for a quick trip, but high
enough to get the wilderness experience. The south-facing
wall offers moderate climbs and a fun traverse.
For climbers looking to escape the crowds, head to Seal
Rock. It lays claim to routes reminiscent of the Flatirons --
minus the crowds -- because of the hike in.
Take the Mesa trail up to the Harmon Cave trail. From
there hike left in along the slab to a bunch of rock debris
at the base. From here hike west a bit and start
climbing. This spot becomes more popular when
the Third Flatiron closes down for wildlife pro-
tection from February 1 to July 31.
Climbs are rated based on the “crux,” or
hardest part of the climb. The Yosemite Decimal
System, or YDS, is the North American rating
system. The first number designates the type of
climb, which is always a five for free climbs, and
the second number designates the difficulty.
Gregory Canyon Amphitheater, located on
the left where Baseline starts winding up Flagstaff,
has a variety of routes. This route can sometimes
look busy at the bottom, but keep hiking and the
crowds disappear. Routes can range from a 5.2 to
a 5.12, and include a few bolted routes.
Bolted routes have gear permanently
attached to the rock as opposed to traditional or
“trad” climbing where you donʼt leave any gear
“I like it because you get so high so quickly,
APRIL 18 - 24, 2006 THE CAMPUS PRESS 9
Story by Monica Banks - Design by Debra Thiegs
Boulderʼs hiking and climbing hot spots
CP Photo/Katie Klane
The Mount Sanitas loop, pictured above, offers numerous beautiful geological rock formations that
appeal to both hikers and climbers.
Everyone knows the way to their favorite ski mountain, but where do we go
when the snow melts away?
CP Photo/Niall Bouzon Located at the bottom of the Flatirons, Boulder is renowned for its hiking and
Climbers Eric Ellis (left) and Alex Brown get out for some
spring bouldering up Baseline at Flagstaff on Thursday,
April 14. They are working on Monkey Traverse, rated by climbing trails. So when the ski season is over, there is plenty to keep you busy.
some as a V4.
and there is usually no one around,” said Kaitlin Silbaugh,
climber and board member of the CU Alpine club.
Silbaugh studies management and finance at CU and
Mind your manners
began climbing in 2002.
“I like climbing because I love knowing that I can do Be careful to avoid wildlife
something that seems so physically impossible,” Silbaugh
said. “Iʼm an alpine climber mostly. You feel so much closer closures. These areas have been
to God at the top.”
For those who are used to climbing at the gym, Sport closed to protect wildlife in its
Park exports gymnasium-style climbing to the outdoors. With
a variety of routes for all abilities, it is a popular destination breeding seasons. Golden eagles,
for all types of climbers, Hatfield said.
Its popularity has caused some wear and tear on the rock,
bald eagles, ospreys, Peregrine fal-
which has been bolted, chipped and had pieces glued on. cons, bears, mountain lions and elk
“We donʼt allow climbers to bolt on our rocks, but Sport
Park isnʼt on our land and has suffered,” Hatfield said. are all protected by these closures.
Sport Park is owned by the U.S. Forestry Service, which
doesnʼt have the resources to prevent bolting everywhere, Ranger Lynette Anderson, a CU
Hatfield said. However, bolting is not always bad for rocks.
Since Sport Park is climbed so often, the wear of “trad“ climb- environmental studies graduate, has
ing would chip away the rock much quicker than the bolts. Also,
bolted routes are often more climbed by beginners who donʼt
been a Park Ranger with Boulder
have the equipment or arenʼt comfortable with “trad“ climbing. County Parks and Open Space for
From climbing to the top to leisure hikes, there are a
number of opportunities for spring adventures. five years.
Remember to bring plenty of water, a granola bar or two,
and a map. Also, always stay on the trail. “It’s tough to balance human
Park rules are set to protect both patrons and wildlife,
and are different in different parks, so itʼs important to check wants and wildlife needs,” Anderson
the signs at the bottom of the trail before the hike. It is also
important to abide the Leave No Trace policy to keep parks
said. CP Photo/Katie Klane
and trails in good condition. If you take care of the trail, the Mount Sanitas Trail offers a short, scenic hike with a
great view of Boulder and many rocks for avid rock
trail will take care of you. climbers.