Flatirons Vista
Location |
Website |
Flatirons Vista Trailhead, 3321-3439 S Foothills Hwy, Boulder, CO 80303
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PDF Map
Trail Map
Park Fees
Trailer Parking
Yes! Three spots for trailers. Pull into the parking lot and go left following the one-way sign to face the bathroooms.
Bathrooms
Yes, nice permanent potties.
Water |
Mounting |
No water spigot.
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You have to go through a gate to get to the Flatirons North and South trails. I mounted from the ground.
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Footing
Rocky!! Better if your horse has shoes on all four feet or sturdy hoof boots.
Horse Hazards
There were cows right as we went through the first gate. You can also see the windmills to the east and rode along some power lines. Lots of bikers.
Chosen Trail
We rode the Flatirons Vista North trail to the Flatirons Vista South trail for a total of 3.3 miles in under an hour with lots of grazing stops. We went slower than normal because of the rocky trail.
We went through the main gate to start on the Flatirons Vista North trail. Immediately there was lots of cows.
We headed up a gravel service road that was nice and wide and followed the electric wires west to the foothills. There was a gate we needed to dismount and open.
We reached the fork where you could continue straight to the Doudy Draw trail or go left to Flatirons Vista south. There was a service road that also forked to the left, do not take this road but go all the way to the fence and gate and then turn left.
The trail wove in and out of the pine trees and the trail was pretty rocky. There was another grassy path next to the rocky trail. We walked on the grass until it veered from the trail. They are trying to regrow this area and may have signs telling you to stay on the trail.
The trail then heads east as a single-track and gets even rockier!
This is the 3rd gate we opened before the final gate by the trail-head. Pretty but more rocks.
After the fork for Prairie Vista the trail became slightly better.
You head back to the trail-head around the Flatirons Vista Pond.
Trail Experience
When I wasn't looking down at the rocks it was beautiful with good views. Sam did a good job picking his way along the trail slowly but I could tell he was tired from focusing on his feet. We did a lot of grass eating in between rocky patches. I did attempt this trail on a bike once and it ended in tears and an ankle injury.
Rating
Moderately Difficult - because of the ROCKY trail. It is flat, so no slopes or climbs, just really rocky.