Advice Needed: One Day Hike/Scramble near Boulder

Hey all,

Headed to the Tetons in a couple weeks, but flying to Denver and staying in Boulder a couple nights before we drive over.

Does anyone have a favorite hike/scramble that's accessible from Boulder and could help start the acclimatizing of my NYC lungs? Not looking for anything technical, but 4th class terrain would be welcomed.

Thanks for any advice.

chris

A really fun Flatirons scramble is Regency to Royal Arch to Anomaly to Amoeboid. Freeway is frequently solo'ed on the Second Flatiron and is pretty fun.
Both might be hot though.

I liked the Little Matterhorn in RMNP, the Arapaho traverse and the North ridge of Neva in the Indian Peaks. You could do the Kelso ridge on Torrey's.
All of these higher routes more 3rd class than 4th.

Kelso Ridge a good call if you want to get up high...but not sure you'll recover from a big day like that...

East Slabs in Eldo is mostly 4th class, definitely exposed....Second Flatiron is a good call, too.

Good luck man, have fun!

p.s. Ozo for coffee, Pizzeria Locale for pizza, The Kitchen super good for fresh, local....

Best of luck....RC

Fern Canyon up Bear Peak is my favorite. Not an all-day affair by any stretch but it can be linked with several other trails.

It is a lung buster with a proud, dramatic summit. Tremendous views of the Indian Peaks. Highly recommend!

+1 freeway on the second, maybe two moves are 5.4, mostly just walking up a steep rock. Approach shoes all that is needed. Many do it in running shoes. I do it in my 5.10 mocs but I like red feet. If you get sketched out then shimmy right and there is the trail. Don't be afraid of choosing your own adventure on it.