The Fifth Flatiron is the last numbered flatiron. At first, it can be slightly difficult to pick out of the jumble of rocks to the south of the Third Flatiron, but it has a distinctive north ridge and a very pointy summit. The Fifth is much more isolated than the First and Second, and hardly sees any traffic in comparison. However, don't expect a wilderness experience for your jaunt up the Fifth, as the Royal Arch is just below and day hikers make lots of noise.
Getting There
Begin at Chautauqua Park, and hike up the road to the Bluebell Shelter. Follow the signs for the Royal Arch. After going over Sentinel Pass and descending steeply, you will curve around the bottom of the 4th Flatiron. Finding the bottom of the right side of the Fifth is slightly difficult on a first visit. The Tangen Towers are between the 4th and 5th Flatirons. Head up to the south of the Tangen Towers and then left towards the bottom of the Fifth. Bushwacking may be required. To reach the left side of the east face, continue to the Royal Arch, and then head straight uphill. There is a dirty flatironette in front of the Fifth, so keep this in mind when trying to find the start of your route.
The Classics
Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for Fifth Flatiron:
This is a great climb on great rock. Although, it may at times be difficult to protect.Follow the approach description that leads to the southern end of the East Face (from Royal Arch).The climb starts in an alcove on the Southern-most end of the East face. Scramble up and right until you come across a left angling crack/strata.Follow this toward the south edge of the East Face to a comfortable ledge. At this point the face steepens and you have to negotiate 15 feet of harder climbing (5.5) as y...[more]Browse More Classics in CO
After rapping off this rock, DO NOT descend to the north! This is very brushy and also it is difficult to figure out how to get back to the Royal Arch Trail. Instead, head south, up over a small col, then drop steeply down to the south of the Fifth Flatiron. There is a crude trail in this area which will take you all the way back down to Royal Arch.
Actually, on the scale of Flatiron approaches, getting to the Fifth is pretty easy. All the routes in fact start less than 100 yards off the Royal Arch Trail, although it can be an unpleasant 100 yards, especially if you don't go the easiest way. I remember the rock on the Fifth as pretty good, and the summit itself is really cool. I guess the worst rock is on the back side, I can remember rock flakeing off on the rappel, this is certainly something to watch for if you are under someone rappelling off. There is now a pretty good trail going down just south of the Fifth, this requires that you climb up slightly after the rappel, then descend the "trail". Do not go down north (climber's left) after the rappel!
By Stich From: Colorado Springs, Colorado Nov 4, 2007
The rappel is nice. You have a big, beefy CMC eye bolt. Next to it are an old rusty pin in a crack, a rusty 1/4 inch rivet with paper thin hanger, and another 1/4 inch piece of mank with an aluminum hanger that resembles a beer can pull tab. It's like a mini museum of pro.
The Fifth is definitely my favorite Flatiron thus far. The North Face and Northeast Face (NE Buttress in Jason Haas's guide) are both awesome routes. The lichen on NE Face would clean up with a little more traffic - my partners and I both thought that route was better than Direct East Face on the First. The summit pitch is a ton of fun, and the slab climbing down lower is pretty thrilling. The North Face is just as much fun, just with bigger holds.
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