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Boulder |
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Preface
Gerry Roach, ultimate compiler and maintainer of mountaineering lists, has climbed countless rock routes in the Flatirons. While creating his complete list and guidebook, he labeled some as being "Classic". He designates 53 "Classics" and also points out his personal "Top 10". Also, he states that "Any climber who climbs all the classic routes in this guide deserves the title Dr. Flatiron. Anyone who does that plus climbs a total of 100 routes has clearly graduated Summit Cum Laude!" We have extracted these sub-lists and cross referenced them with other information here on SummitPost. We hope this proves useful as a climbing reference. Both lists are arranged roughly from north to south, or right to left when looking west. Feel free to post any additional information that is needed.
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"Top Ten" Routes
| Top 10 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Rock | Route | Rating | Closed Seasonally?** |
| First Flatiron | East Face Center | 5.6S | No |
| Third Flatiron | East Face | 5.0-5.2 | Yes |
| Third Flatiron | Friday's Folly | 5.7 | |
| Green Mtn. Pinnacle | Taking Care of Business | 5.6 | No |
| Stairway To Heaven | Stairway To Heaven | 5.3-5.4 | Yes |
| The Backporch | East Face | 5.6 | Yes |
| Pellaea | East Face | 5.5 | Yes |
| The Fatiron | East Face | 5.3-5.4 | No |
| The Maiden | North Face | 5.6 | |
| The Matron | North Face | 5.6 | Yes |
**Most seasonal closures run from February 1st through July 31st.
"Classic" Flatiron Routes
| Classics | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Rock | Route | Rating | Closed Seasonally?** |
| Gregory Amphitheater | 1st Pinnacle SE Face | 5.3 | Yes |
| Gregory Amphitheater | 2nd Pinnacle S Face | 5.2 | |
| Gregory Amphitheater | T-Zero West Face | 5.5 | |
| Gregory Amphitheater | Slot | 5.6 | |
| The Spy | East Ridge | 5.0-5.2 | No |
| First Flatiron | North Arete | 5.3-5.4 | |
| First Flatiron | Baker's Way | 5.3-5.4 | |
| Sunset Flatironette | Chase the Sun | 5.3-5.4 | |
| Second Flatiron | Dodge Block | 4th Class | |
| Second Flatiron | Freeway | 4th Class | |
| Third Flatiron | Winky Woo | 5.4 | Yes |
| Third Flatiron | East Face South Side | 5.0-5.2 | |
| Queen Anne's Head | East Face | 5.3-5.4 | |
| WC Field's Pinnacle | A Very Ament's Slab | 5.8 | |
| Tomato Rock | Anything goes but the south side is easiest. | 5.9 (or harder) | No |
| Morning After aka “The Thing” | East Face | 5.7 | |
| Challenger | East Face | 5.4S | |
| Hammerhead | Yodeling Moves | 4th Class | |
| Fourth Flatiron | East Face | 5.3-5.4 | |
| Regency | El Camino Royale | 4th Class | |
| Fifth Flatiron | East Face North Side | 5.0-5.2 | |
| Fifth Flatiron | East Face South Side | 5.3-5.4 | |
| Hillbilly Rock | East Face South Side | 5.0-5.2 | |
| Satan's Slab | East Face | 5.6S | Yes |
| Angel's Way | Angel's Way | 5.0-5.2 | |
| Achean Pronouncement | East Face | 5.7 | |
| Dreadnaught | Primal Rib | 5.4S | |
| Frontporch | Tiptoe Slab | 5.2S | No |
| Fi | Fi Fun | 5.1 | |
| Fo | Quadratic Equation | 5.6 | |
| Der Freischutz | Free Shot | 4th Class | |
| Der Freischutz | South Ridge | 5.0 | |
| Dinosaur Rock | East Face | 5.4 | |
| Northern Dinosaur Egg | Rehatch | 5.5 | |
| Southern Dinosaur Egg | Hatch | 5.5 | |
| Seal Rock | East Face South Side | 5.4S | |
| Onoclea | East Face | 5.3-5.4 | Yes |
| Fiddle Head | East Face | 5.3-5.4 | |
| The Slab | Diagonal | 5.0-5.2 | No |
| Central Shanahan Crag | South Face | 5.4 | |
| Central Shanahan Crag | SE Ridge of S. Summit | 4th Class | |
| Tiny Tower | East Face | 5.6 | |
| Matron | East Ridge | 5.5 | Yes |
**Most seasonal closures run from February 1st through July 31st.
Seasonal Closures
Every year, many of the Flatiron formations and surrounding lands are closed due to raptor nesting. These areas are mainly off-limits from February 1st through July 31st, but the dates can change at any time. The city of Boulder monitors the birds and makes an annual judgment call on when climbing and even hiking is allowed. Usually the closures are well marked on-site by large signs, but pay attention when on trail as it is not always obvious. Please heed these closures since violations can result in large fines and even jail time. Also, repeated issues could lead to permanent closures of certain formations. People who live near the Flatirons often view the hills and calls will be made if trespassers are seen. Do not be "that guy" who ruins it for everybody.
Detailed descriptions and maps of the closures can be found on the OSMP page. It is always a good idea to double check ahead of time so you can adjust your plans accordingly.
9 Mountains & Rocks