Distance: 3 miles round trip
Elevation: 5,680 to 6,950 ft
Elevation gain: 1,270 ft
Dogs: Off leash with Boulder Voice and Sight tag
Bathroom at the Trailhead: Yes
Other trails in the area:
Gregory Canyon,
Green Mountain,
Bear Peak,
South Boulder Peak,
Mallory Cave,
Mt. Sanitas
Tags: #Boulder, #osmp, #hiking, #coloradooutdoors, #boosttraining, #
gearguide
Books:
Hiking Guide to Boulder
 |
| The last few rocky steps to Royal Arch in Boulder, CO |
Come spring, I head to Boulder, CO and all the trails that ascend along the flatirons. There is no better training for summer hiking than a trail with lots of elevation gain. Royal Arch may be short, but with all the "stairs" it packs a punch. I typically make it to the arch in 50 minutes or less and gratefully suck wind while admiring the expansive views of the plains and nearby rock formations.
 |
| Starting out on Chautauqua Road |
 |
| The first part of the trail is light dirt and rocks in a dark Ponderosa Pine forest |
 |
| The trail quickly begins to climb up a series of rock steps |
The trail itself starts out at Chautauqua and ascends along a flat road to the official trailhead. The Royal Arch Trail quickly becomes narrow and rocky as it switchbacks up the hillside deep in the shade of the rocks, pines, and thick riparian foliage. Most of the trail is large stone steps that are a challenge for short-legged folks and will make you wish you had spent more time on a StairMaster. After the 2013 flood, the trail was rerouted.
 |
| The flatirons are visible through the trees |
 |
| View through the trees from the false summit looking at the rocks ahead |
 |
| Standing on the false summit and looking down the sharp decent |
Three quarters of the way up is a false summit. There are impressive views of the plains here and a nice log to sit and rest on. The trail descends sharply for 150 ft or so before angling upwards again. After more steps, more logs, and more lactic acid build-up, one will finally see the arch. It is actually quite large, and the rocks on the other side provide raptor-like perches for the downing of trail munchies. You can't see the Royal Arch from the road, nor can you see it from NCAR although it seems very close when viewed from the rocks surrounding the arch.
 |
| At the bottom of the descent |
 |
| On the south side of the arch looking back through it |
 |
| The view from the rock pile on the south side of the arch. The pink building on the hill is NCAR |
This trail can get crowded and parking can be in short supply. I go after work when the days starting getting longer. Don't forget to bring hiking poles, which can provide stability on the return trip and help prevent quad burn out.
 |
| Looking north through the arch itself |
