While in Denver last week, we also took a quick trip up to Boulder, Colo., for a dayhike among the Flatirons at Chautauqua Park.
The park has a network of trails around Chautauqua Meadow and among some of the Flatiron rock formations that stand above the city.
We started southwest from the park's ranger cottage, through the meadow on the Chautauqua Trail and past trees changing yellow for fall. A connecting trail at the top routed us under the Second and Third Flatirons to the Royal Arch Trail. From there, it was up steeply to the natural stone feature and views of the city below.
After a break, we followed the Royal Arch Trail to it's lowest point, then around the Bluebell Mesa Trail and back down the Chautauqua Trail to the cottage.
View more photos of Chautauqua and Royal Arch here.
Distance: 3 2/3 miles roundtrip.
Trailhead: The Chautauqua ranger cottage is located at Baseline Road and Grant Place, about 1 1/3 miles west of Highway 36 in Boulder.
