Boulder, CO: Flagstaff Mountain

Boulder, CO: Flagstaff Mountain

One of the toughest yet most rewarding climbs in Boulder, the road up Flagstaff may leave you panting but the views will leave you breathless.

Author:	Jon Dorn
Date:	26 Oct 2007 11:24:21 AM
Activity:	Bicycling ActivitySearchBicycling
State:	Colorado (CO)
Distance:	22.89 mi (Change units)
Calories:	1425
Average Speed:	11.9 mph 0:05:03/mi
Duration:	Total: 2:09:25 Active: 1:55:54 Resting: 0:13:13 Unaccounted: 0:00:18
Elevation:	Total Gain: 3170 ft Total Loss: 3241 ft Net Change: -71 ft
Difficulty:	7 / 10
Tags:	Boulder, Colorado
Rating:	Unrated Rate it

This out-and-back route to the summit of Flagstaff Mountain starts climbing in earnest just blocks from the Pearl Street walking mall. It's less than 7 miles to the summit, but the grade hovers between stiff, unrelenting, and gruesome. In fact, one section near the top (this climb gets harder, not easier) is called the Headwall. The payoff, however, is grand. You get magnificent views over Boulder, vistas west towards the Indian Peaks, and--once above the amphitheater (about halfway up)--plenty of quiet, piney-scented roadway. And, of course, the descent is a screamer with lots of hairpins to test your handling skills. If the temperature is anywhere below 65 degrees at the bottom of the climb, bringing a wind vest and arm-warmers for some warmth on the way down would be advisable.

Position Format:	Datum:

Tracks

Dist: 22.89 mi	Points: 485	Calories: 1425
Time: 2:09:25	Speed: 11.8 mph	Pace: 5:03 / mi

Points of Interest

Video 10

Location: Unknown

Boulder Creek Bike Path

Location: 40.015225°, -105.280051°
Starting this ride anywhere along the bike path would be convenient, but you may want to give yourself a few more miles of warm-up.

Photo 4

Location: Unknown
Tracy sleeps at 9,500 feet -- and it shows.

Boulder Creek Bike Path

Location: 40.012168°, -105.248122°
Beautiful fall day on the Boulder Creek path

Bike Path Entrance

Location: 40.027582°, -105.262842°

Bike Parth Warm-up

Location: 40.013055°, -105.274472°
Rolling out on the bike path: Jeff is looking forward to climbing Flagstaff in pants, on a cross bike. Warming up before the climb can make a big difference on the early pitches.

Take A Deep Breath

Location: 40.002931°, -105.287004°
Kris warming up on the final approach to the Flagstaff climb

What A View

Location: 40.002799°, -105.291252°
Boulder in the fall

Going Up

Location: 40.005068°, -105.292969°
Jon on the early, steep pitches of the climb

Flagstaff House

Location: 40.006777°, -105.293098°
The Flagstaff House might be the finest of the fine dining in Boulder, at least that's what you might guess from one look at the bill.

Great Climb

Location: 40.000465°, -105.298719°
The smooth pavement and steady grade makes this part of the climb a blast, and you can see Royal Arch in the distance.

The Ampitheater Gutcheck

Location: 39.997441°, -105.309148°
Resting and regrouping just below the Amphitheater. Many people turn around here and call it a day; others get peer pressured into continuing by their bosses.