Unique Landscapes: The Flatirons of Colorado

Imagine what it would be like if you saw five gigantic ‘clothes irons’ placed upright with their wedges pointing to the sky. Now imagine them in the form of sedimentary rock with a mix of hues and textures. That’s what the Flatirons in Boulder, Colorado look like.

These impressive and intriguing formations are on the east side of the front range of the Rocky Mountains and are less than an hour’s drive from Denver, Colorado. You could squeeze in a visit to Flatirons along with your trip to Rocky Mountain National Park if you are visiting there. That’s exactly what we did (the summer before last), and it worked out quite well.

When we got there, the parking lot where Baseline Road and Flagstaff Roads meet, was full. It was around 10:30 in the morning and it sure looked like its a place that gets filled very early, at least in the summer. Even Baseline Road’s sides seemed to have all its parking spaces occupied. And it looked like we’d have to leave without seeing these rocks.

Just as I was beginning to get disappointed, we managed to find a spot near a trail so I quickly got out walked a part of the trail that ran across a meadow and took in the views, and took a few pictures before I retraced my steps. Soon, we were on the road and on the way to the National Park just north of it.

We had just that one day to cover Rocky Mountain National Park, or else I would have liked to do one of those hikes that get you closer to The Flatirons. The trail I was on sure suggested an easy hike. 

However, I am glad I got to see what I did, of those iron-box type mountains.

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What are the Flatirons?

The Flatirons in Boulder Colorado are basically sandstone-conglomerate formations that are believed to have been tilted by the movements of the earth, and — over the centuries — probably exposed by erosion. 

How to get to see these unique rock formations

• Set your maps to Flatirons, Boulder, or Chautauqua Park northeast of the flat sandstone cliffs. (There is public parking on Baseline Road if you do not find space in the parking lot on Baseline and Flagstaff Roads.) 
  
• You can also catch a glimpse of the iron-box mountains from Baseline Road. However if you take one of the trails near the park, the more you walk, the better the views of The Flatirons. 
  
• You can easily chart out a trip to the Flatirons if you are in Denver and have an hour-and-a-half for a quick drive to these unique formations. Or you could pair it with your Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary like we did. If that is what you are doing, it might be best to enter the national park via the entrances on the east side of the park or the Fall River Entrance in the north.

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