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Elevation: 6,737 ft
GPS: 39.9874, -105.29196
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 286,455 total · 1,014/month
Shared By: Ben Mottinger on Dec 31, 2000 · Updates
Admins: Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC
Warning Access Issue: 2024 Crag Closures & Temporary Trail and Raptor Closures DetailsDrop down
Warning Access Issue: Raptor nesting lifted July 26, 2023 DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

Unmistakable and outstanding, its jutting east face is obvious from anywhere in Boulder, and the beautiful, solid rock meets or exceeds your high expectations. A 100-foot-high "CU" was painted on since the 1940s. Since camouflaged by more paint, you can still see the faint outline. Of course, when you're on the east face, it's obvious when you get to this section of the rock, especially because it's a smeary section of rock with no hand holds, mostly friction foot moves. Enjoy it when you can: the Parks department closes this and most of the rocks around it, due to raptor nesting concerns (see below).

Note, the Ghetto is actually part of the Third Flatiron.

Getting There Suggest change

From the ranger cottage at the Chautauqua Park trailhead (Baseline Rd.), follow the paved Bluebell Road south to the Bluebell Shelter. From the shelter follow the Royal Arch trail south to the junction of the Second-Third Flatiron Trail. Follow this trail west to the clearly marked Third Flatiron Trail. The trail ends at the start of the Third Flatiron standard east face climbing route. The Third Flatiron Descent Trail starts in the saddle to the west of the summit of the Third Flatiron. The trail begins to descend north, then east, down through a talus field to end at the Third Flatiron Trail, a few hundred yards north of the start to the standard east face climbing route.

Descent

Suggest change
Per mark felber: for rappel, there are chains at the south end of the summit, for a 45' rap to the South Bowl. Use the chains here for a 50' rap to Friday's Folly Ledge (or just go from the summit to Friday's Folly ledge in one shot with a 60m or longer rope). On reaching Friday's Folly Ledge, you'll see a great big eyebolt and a sign placed by BOSMP, warning you that the rappel from the eyebolt is 140' and directing you to a much shorter rappel(72') from good chains to climber's left/west. The shorter rappel lands you right on the descent trail. Taking the longer rappel means you have to 3rd class up to the landing of the short rappel to reach the descent trail, or descend 1911 Gully.

FWIW, there is a low fifth class downclimb for those without a rope.

44 Total Climbs

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Location: Third Flatiron Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Third Flatiron

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c
 1,135
East Face (Standard)
Trad 8 pitches
5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c R
 52
Winky Woo
Trad
5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c R
 17
Third World Zone
Trad 8 pitches
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a
 148
East Face Left
Trad 9 pitches
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 97
College Drop Out aka East Face N…
Trad 6 pitches
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b R
 52
Extra Point
Trad 5 pitches
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 116
Friday's Folly
Trad
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 44
Saturday's Folly
Trad
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b R
 11
Northwest Passage
Trad 3 pitches
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b PG13
 5
West Face [3rd Flatrion]
Trad
5.10b/c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 33
Waiting For Columbus
Trad, Sport
5.11a/b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 10
Panda Rigolo
Sport
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 17
Direct West Face a/k/a Western S…
Trad
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 5
Pandammic
Sport
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 11
Pile In the Sky
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
East Face (Standard)
 1,135
5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c Trad 8 pitches
Winky Woo
 52
5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c R Trad
Third World Zone
 17
5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c R Trad 8 pitches
East Face Left
 148
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a Trad 9 pitches
College Drop Out aka East F…
 97
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad 6 pitches
Extra Point
 52
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b R Trad 5 pitches
Friday's Folly
 116
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad
Saturday's Folly
 44
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad
Northwest Passage
 11
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b R Trad 3 pitches
West Face [3rd Flatrion]
 5
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b PG13 Trad
Waiting For Columbus
 33
5.10b/c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Trad, Sport
Panda Rigolo
 10
5.11a/b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
Direct West Face a/k/a West…
 17
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Trad
Pandammic
 5
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
Pile In the Sky
 11
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport
More Classic Climbs in Third Flatiron »

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