Not sure who and how many will be there from the Outdoor Mindset organization. Arrive just before 11:30 a.m. A half dozen vehicles are in the lot. Most are people walking their dogs.
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| Flatiron Vista South Trail |
On trail at 11:35. Decide to take the Flatirons Vista Southj Treail (FVST) joing south from the TH. FV South connects to FV North after 2.4 mi. going counter-clockwise. Three others are on trail today, all OM staffers.
Trail bed has sections of mud and standing water from melting snow. When it's not mud, it's snow covered or slushy. Weather is mild for March, with sunny skies and a light breeze.
There is virtually no elevation gain till the final half mile. Then trail merely dips breifly and climbs no more than 50'
On trail for 1.5 hrs, it.s close to 1 p.m. The lunch bell is ringing in my head. I move off trail into a cluster of pine. Continue behind a short ridge. O spot a large pine tree. The surrounding area is covered with a thick layer of dry pine needles. It will be a great spot for lunch. Off trail, out of sight from other hikers, and views of the flatirons. What more could I ask for today.
A windscreen is needed today due to a light breeze. I position myself between the stove and oncoming breeze.
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| Cup of hot chocolate. |
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| Tuna salad on whole wheat. |
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| Nothing better than hot chocolate on a cool day. |
There is no hurry today. After the kitchen is set up, water is heated for a cup of hot chocolate. Add a tuna salad sandwich and a pot of hot chicken ramen soup. Dessert will be a snickers bar and a bag of Fritos.
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| 10 oz. of water will make lots of hot broth. |
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| Add Ramen noodles to boiling water. |
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| Add powdered chicken broth. |
No animals are moving around today. Break down the stove and repack.
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| Stir, cover, and let seep for 5 min. |
Back on trail at 1:30. I soon approach a gate and a fence row that runs parallel with trail. Once through the gate, trail becomes more of a jeep road - wide, rocky, muddy, with some sections of slush and snow.
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| Repackage all trash in zip bag and pack out. |
Trail bends right before coming to a junction with Dowdy Draw Trail. The DDT cuts down into the draw itself and continues post community Ditch Trail and on to the DDTH on Eldorado Springs Drive.
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| Dismantle stove and windscreen. |
From the DDT junction trail changes from South to North Flatirons Vista Trail for another .9 mi. Trail conditions remain the same all day. A short .3 mil spur trail returns me to the TH where I began.
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| A view I had all day. Eldorado Canyon is the low point at left. |
Pass no more than six hiker/dog walkers today. It was a pleasant day with the majestic flatiron mountains in view all day.
This is one of those non-descript trailheads located beside a busy road that people may not consider worth checking out. Looking at the map, there is a web of trails that connect.
Hikers/bikers can get on in Boulder and spend the day enjoying the scenery, wildlife, flora, and fauna this historic area has to offer.
NOTE: A day use permit is required by the City of Boulder. The fee is $5 and it is well worth it. Restroom facilities - two pit toilets - are located at the TH and the parking lot has ample space for vehicles. Trails are well marked for hiking and or biking. A full-size area map provides users a view of trails in the Flatiron Plateau area.
Total miles = 3.6
Total elevation gain = 70'
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