Flanders Climbing

The approach can vary depending on snow conditions. In early season you can drive to the entrance of the canyon and park at a turn off or a small clearing. In mid season (before gate closure, but after substantial snowfall) you can only get as far as Palisade falls where the plows stop, and then you need to hike your way deeper along the unplowed road to reach the canyon entrance. In late season the gate at the Hyalite Canyon Rd closes (typically on January 1st) and you have to park there and hike the entire distance to the mouth of the canyon.

Either way, the entrance to the canyon will be on your right as you drive/hike down Forest Service Road FS3163. You can spot the entrance by a distinctive large clearing, slightly sloped downhill towards flanders, which may or may not look like a fork in the road (depending on whether or not the snow has buried it or not). The clearing leads to a stream crossing after no more than 100 yards. Take the stream crossing and follow a logging road uphill into the Flanders canyon. Do not confuse a campsite for this clearing. There are a couple along the road, but they typically have various fixtures visible like fence posts, fire pits, etc and are more treed.

The canyon is getting more popular, but you still shouldn't assume trails will be broken. Skis can be helpful when breaking trail. On the way out you can also ski continuously at least from the turn off for the champagne climbs back to the mouth of the canyon. If you have to get back to the Palisade Falls lot or the gate at Hyalite Canyon Rd, skin FS3163. It's too flat to ski and doesn't have any substantial downhill sections.