Mountain Project: Climbing Flatirons

Right at the base of the Second Flatiron a collection of boulders exist that offer some killer problems. Although it's the same kind of rock as Flagstaff, it doesn't seem to hurt as much. Some classic hard problems like The Turning Point (V9) are found here along with plenty of others that are fun and not near as hard. The best time to go is when there is no snow on the ground because you find tons of chalked things that may not be in any book, but are really good problems. This is a great after work or school destination because it is so close and offers things to goof around on, or serious projects that will take you several weeks or months to complete, unless your name is Sharma.

Getting There

Walk up the road in Chataqua almost to the Bluebell Shelter then take the trail that branches off left to the second flatiron. You should go over a small wooden bridge a few yards along the trail, if this doesn't happen, you're on the wrong trail. Keep going on this trail and take a [right] to the second flatiron when the trail forks. The trail will fork again almost at the base of the second flatiron and this is where the climbing begins. Most of the bouldering is up on the left trail, but some stuff can be found off to the right.

[The trail you take at the beginning is the access trail to the Second and Third Flatiron, then you stay left and take the trail to the Third Flatiron. Most of the boulders are just a little way up this trail. Although you start on the [Royal Arch] trail, don't stay on it when the trail breaks.]

The Classics

Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for Satellite Boulders:

Sputnik Two V0 Boulder

Sputnik 1.5 V1 Boulder, 15 feet

A7 -V1 V1 Boulder

Sputnik One V1 Boulder

Major Tom V3 Boulder

Original Grapple V4 Boulder

Zero G V5 Boulder, 10 feet

Aerogel V5 Boulder

Balance in Nature V5 Boulder

SDS V6 Boulder

Girlfriend's Backside V7 Boulder

Face Full of Brian V8 Boulder

Captain Hook V9 Boulder, 10 feet

The Turning Point V9 Boulder

Fleshfest V10 Boulder

Featured Route For Satellite Boulders

Trying to avoid hitting the rock seems to be the crux other than that fun problem with good moves!

Original Grapple V4 CO : Flatirons : ... : Satellite Boulders

Up the left trail at the base of the Second Flatiron is the BBC boulder. It's about thirty yards up the trail on the right, is a huge rock, and has massive rectangular block resting over it. On the south side is an overhanging jug system with an easy top out. The problem starts low on the right on an obvious jug and goes over the top. Overall, it is a decent problem where the crux may be keeping your butt off a rock right beneath it. I recom...[more] Browse More Classics in CO

Comments on Satellite Boulders

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By George Bell
From: Boulder, CO
Jun 28, 2002

...There is an easy problem in this area, anybody know what it is? It is right off the trail to the west near where the 3rd Flatiron, 2nd Flatiron trails diverge. A 20' tall boulder with a big dead tree leaning against it. You go up the face right next to the dead tree and can rejoin the trail up higher as it switchbacks around the boulder. It must be V0 or easier if I can do it!

By Chip Phillips
Jul 4, 2002

It's Sputnik Two, George. I noticed in your bio you would rather pull weeds than boulder ... you're busted.

By George Bell
From: Boulder, CO
Jul 5, 2002

Uh oh ... OK I admit I did go bouldering ONCE.Well, uh, I have tried the Monkey Traverse several times but have never made the whole thing. Basically, I suck at bouldering!

By Bryan Gartland
From: Bozeman
Feb 7, 2005

The route pulldown for the Satellites is getting a bit unwieldy at 70+ problems. Seems to me that it could use its own Area listing.

By Joshua Merriam
From: Boulder, CO
Aug 21, 2007

Could we re-organize this area to clean up some of the extranious entries and give a better overview? I'll submit some overview pictures, but others probably know the area better than me.

By Dan Morta
From: Boulder, CO
Jul 10, 2008

There's a 'new' problem at the Satellites and was wondering if anyone wanted to contribute some beta (name, grade, FA) for it. If you're facing Grundel City Boy, it's directly behind you about 70' up the hill. It's the short boulder (10' tall) with a cool 3' horizontal roof at about chest height. Starts in the back of the roof and moves to the lip via the enormous heel hook jug. Crimpers on the face gains you the top. Some guys I tried it with said it was about V7. Good problem. 2-3 stars.

By Joshua Merriam
From: Boulder, CO
Sep 17, 2008

Is this the same boulder as Blowin the Hatch?

How do you start - heel hooked, or with feet on the lower boulder-piece?

By Chip Phillips
Sep 18, 2008

Toe to Toe V7/8, FA: EZ Harrison, 2008.

See problem description for more.

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Satellite Boulders

Description

Getting There

The Classics