Hiking Project Logo
Climb
MTB
Hike
Trailrun
Ski
Limited Time70% OffonX Backcountry

Flagstaff Summit Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate Intermediate
 4.3 (22)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Front Range
  4. …Boulder
  5. Flagstaff Mountain
Explore in 3D
Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Previous Next

“Experience awesome views and dense douglas-fir forest on this easy hike. ”

Tom Robson
Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Google Map
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

2.4

Miles

3.9

KM

Loop

6,919' 2,109 m

High

6,758' 2,060 m

Low

346' 105 m

Up

337' 103 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

22%

Max Grade (12°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Fall Colors · Views · Wildlife

Family Friendly This awesome figure-8 loop can be accessed from multiple TH's and provides easy opportunities for stopping/fussing, as well as bathroom breaks. In addition, the viewpoints are plentiful.

Overview

This easy route offers great views for minimal effort - it's great for families looking to bring the kids, or folks just hoping to get in a quick hike to experience the outdoors.

Due to its easily accessed nature, this route can get very crowded - especially on a nice Summer day.

Description

Boy Scout begins and ends at the Sunrise Amphitheater and heads west through Douglas-fir forest, providing good views of Boulder Canyon. The trail gradually rises and falls to May's Point for an excellent view of the Indian Peaks. Return back to the parking lot at the west end of Flagstaff Summit via Boy Scout Trail.

From Boy Scout, head south on Ute Trail, then make an immediate right onto Range View. Aptly named, Range View provides excellent views of the Indian Peaks as it follows the west side of Flagstaff Mountain. Keep a sharp lookout for birds of prey as the trail returns back to Realization Point - they tend to frequent this area.

From Realization Point, turn left (north), on Ute Trail. Ute skirts the summit of Flagstaff Mountain (7,283 feet) and ends at the Flagstaff Summit Rd. This trail was named to honor the Ute Indians.

From here, turn right onto the road which will take you back to your car. Nice work!

Flora & Fauna

Black bears and mountain lions inhabit this area, although you are unlikely to encounter them. Many other wildlife species are common including songbirds, birds of prey, mule deer, red foxes, and coyotes.

History & Background

The historic picnic structures and Sunrise Amphitheater were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s, along with improvements to Flagstaff Road. Flagstaff Summit was the site of the KKK cross burning in 1922. A large wildfire burned across the summit of Flagstaff Mountain in October 1924, followed in the late 1920s by a large community effort led by Eben Fein to replant trees. Exactly 70 years later, almost to the day, Open Space & Mountain Parks conducted a 20 acre prescribed burn on the same site -- underscoring how our perception of forest fires has changed through the years.

Contacts

Land Manager: Boulder County, CO - Parks and Open Space

Shared By:

Tom Robson
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 22 votes

#2

in Flagstaff Mountain

#705

Overall
  4.3 from 22 votes
5 Star
41%
4 Star
50%
3 Star
9%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#2

in Flagstaff Mountain

#145

in Colorado

#705

Overall
21 Views Last Month
13,025 Since May 2, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate
11%
16%
68%
0%
5%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

A view of downtown Boulder, CO.
Sep 22, 2021 near Boulder, CO
DMA with some deer
Jan 27, 2021 near Boulder, CO
Scenic overlook
Jan 27, 2021 near Boulder, CO
Making use of my Lens Ball to capture a pic OF LOST GULCH
Sep 22, 2021 near Boulder, CO
A very clear view of LOST GULCH.
Sep 22, 2021 near Boulder, CO
Boulder panorama from the Boy Scout Trail
May 2, 2015 near Boulder, CO

0 Comments

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jul 25, 2022
Ben Krantz
2.5mi — 1h 10m
Apr 10, 2022
Shireen B
Sep 15, 2021
Alex Kunze
Jul 30, 2021
Private User
Jun 27, 2021
Peter Jacobson
Jul 27, 2019
Isabella Chapman
Jul 13, 2019
Gene R
Loved the excursion to Mary's Point. Great time with El and Nak!
Jun 29, 2019
Matt Sherman

Nearby Recommended Routes

Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started