SubscribeDate of Trek: Saturday, May 30, 2009
Quick Summary: An out-and-back hike starting from Chautauqua Park up to the rock formation known as Royal Arch.
Description
A short, strenuous hike that has you scrambling over rock slides and boulders as well as climbing/descending numerous rock stairs. However, the view from the top and the arch itself make it all worth it. The trail has a decent elevation gain over the short distance and is definitely not just a stroll in the park.
| Distance | 3.45 mi / 5.55 km | Starting Elevation | 5679 ft / 1731 m |
| Lowest Elevation | 5679 ft / 1731 m | Highest Elevation | 6965 ft / 2123 m |
What You Will See
Where You Will Go
Details
| Has Facilities | no | Has Food Available | no |
| Facility Info | Food Types | ||
| Has Restrooms | no | Has Drinking Water | no |
| Restroom Type | |||
| Hours | sunrise to sunset | Parking Spaces | Parking at trailhead. Additional parking a short walk away. |
| Fees | none | ||
| Trail Usage | foot travel only,hiking | Pets Allowed | yes |
| Terrain | rocky/uneven,dirt | Pet Rules | On a leash |
| Foliage | evergreen,prairie / grassland,flowers / flora | Wildlife Possiblities | mule deer, chipmunks, squirrels |
Trek Report
A friend and I headed up to Boulder to do this hike on a Saturday morning in late May. We arrived in the late morning and discovered that the parking lot and streets surrounding the park to be completely full. We had to park a couple blocks away and walk to the park before we even started the hike. I’ve been Chautauqua Park on a week day and it’s considerably quieter.
As to be expected from the parking situation, we met a lot of other hikers on the trail and up at the arch. It definitely is a popular place on a nice weekend despite being a fairly demanding hike. Many hikers brought their pets, all of which were very well-behaved and friendly. It was fun to watch the smaller dogs scamper up the rocks.
The views from the arch are spectacular. You can see from Boulder and beyond to the north and all the way to Denver to the south. The arch itself is pretty impressive and there are plenty of good size boulders beneath it to climb up and sit on to admire the views. Watch for the chipmunks scurrying around at your feet for some added entertainment.
I hiked this trail in February of 2010 while visiting Boulder for the first time. It was snowing and four recent back to back storms had left behind 8 to 10 inches of snow. Some areas of the last mile of this hike were somewhat challenging because the trail steps were covered in compacted and frozen snow; making climbing difficult. The views were spectacular and well worth the effort. However, the next time I attempt this climb in the winter I will definitely bring crampons and hiking poles. Word to the wise: don’t go hiking alone in unfamiliar territory and get pulled into going higher and farther if you are not prepared.
In addition to the chipmunks and deer there are several raptor nesting areas along the route.
I agree with what was said about crampons and poles, there are some areas that stay shaded well into spring where the compacted snow make for a difficult ascent, and an extremely slippery return, where ten feet before, you may have been on bare sand and rock.