The Apostle is a small Flatiron with typical climbing for the area. While many of the formations near the Apostle are seldom visited, this is one of the few that does not have much to offer to deserve more traffic. There are only two routes on the Apostle, although like most of the Flatirons, many variations exist. The best variation I found was climbing the center face of the Apostle.
Descending off the top is very easy as the trees and ground run parallel on the North side of the Apostle, never decreasing very far in elevation from the NE ridge. From the top, scramble to the West and then down the North side.
Getting There
This area is a couple hundred yards from any established trail, so some bushwhacking is in order. Take the South Shanahan Trail, until it intersects with the Mesa Trail, and take that south for a few hundred yards. At this point, start heading towards the formation to the west through some fields. You'll see the formations ahead of you and bushwhack through the meadow heading in the general direction of them. There is a drainage below the Apostle which leads right to the base of the Northeast Ridge. The Apostle is about a two minute hike below the Devil's Advocate and a few more minutes from Tiny Tower.
[Hide Comment] While I may agree with the the OP, above, that there are Flatirons with better climbing in the area, or perhaps just more variety, I disagree with the apparent idea that this one is less worthy of a visit. A recent trip there netted 5 distinct lines we climbed, and, remarkably, the two best of these were not documented. Furthermore, the 3rd best was listed as a variation to the main route. Perhaps the less-than-great review given above was due to the best climbing not being well covered by the books. An additional note: in the winter with snow and ice, the descent is FAR better done to the South of the formation than the North, leading one down between this formation and 'The Road to Damascus' (see route in database).
Feb 3, 2013
[Hide Comment] I thought the climbing was pretty good, perhaps a little more lichen than some of the other Flatirons, but still nice.
An easy approach takes the Upper Bluestem trail to the Mesa trail, turn LEFT and go about 50 feet, to a little (probably) dry streambed. Cross this, then continue up the crest of the small ridge. This leads up through easy forest, then some talus and finally reaches the thin rib which bisects the east face of The Apostle. It's easy and fun to follow the crest of this rib onto the face and continue upwards from there.
This is a great way to approach the Flying Flatiron, then Devil's Thumb after doing the FF.
Aug 5, 2018
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Perhaps the less-than-great review given above was due to the best climbing not being well covered by the books.
An additional note: in the winter with snow and ice, the descent is FAR better done to the South of the formation than the North, leading one down between this formation and 'The Road to Damascus' (see route in database). Feb 3, 2013
Possunt, nec posse videntur
An easy approach takes the Upper Bluestem trail to the Mesa trail, turn LEFT and go about 50 feet, to a little (probably) dry streambed. Cross this, then continue up the crest of the small ridge. This leads up through easy forest, then some talus and finally reaches the thin rib which bisects the east face of The Apostle. It's easy and fun to follow the crest of this rib onto the face and continue upwards from there.
This is a great way to approach the Flying Flatiron, then Devil's Thumb after doing the FF. Aug 5, 2018