The 1.6-mile Royal Arch Trail is a gorgeous out-and-back hike up to a perched natural arch below the Flatirons in Boulder Mountain Park. The moderately difficult trail, a 3.2-mile round-trip outing, begins at 5,710 feet at the Chautauqua Park Ranger Station off Baseline Road in Boulder. The hike steadily climbs closed Bluebell Road, passing Mesa Trail Junction and Bluebell Shelter, for 0.7 mile to Royal Arch Trail. The trail then steepens and climbs a gulch to Sentinel Pass, a rocky notch above Bluebell Canyon. Catch a breather here and look for climbers scampering up the Third Flatiron. The trail descends and then climbs again to Royal Arch at 6,915 feet. Enjoy a spectacular vista here across the Flatirons, Boulder, and the tawny plains beyond-you earned the view.
Pro Tips
Follow these tips if you hike Royal Arch Trail in summer: Arrive early for parking, otherwise park on Baseline Road. Bring lots of water. It’s hot, and you’ll need more than you think. It’s a steady uphill climb to the arch so take your time and rest a lot, especially if you’re visiting from the lowlands. Don’t underestimate the ascent. Some find a hiking stick or trekking poles useful on rocky terrain. Watch for rattlesnakes along the trail. Bring a lunch to eat by the arch-you won’t find a better dining room view anywhere.Sentinel Pass, reached after 1.3 miles of hiking, makes a great rest stop to have lunch and a drink of water. The views from here are spectacular. Close by are the looming Flatirons, great sandstone slabs tilted upward. Numerous climbing routes ascend the Flatirons, making them a favorite climber destination in the Boulder area. See if you can spot the skyscrapers of downtown Denver on a clear day to the southeast.It’s best to hike the trail from March through November when it’s dry. Snow and ice builds up on shaded trail sections in winter, making microspikes and trekking poles a good idea. Always follow the trails. Don’t cut trails and cause future erosion. Flush toilets are in the ranger station at the trailhead, and a pit toilet is at the junction of Bluebell Road and Mesa Trails at the 0.6-mile mark. You can bring your dog, but he must be leashed at all times unless he has a Voice and Sight tag. It’s best to leave the dog at home on weekends, it’s just too busy and other hikers will be tripping over your leash.Royal Arch, a vault of 300-million-year-old Fountain Formation sandstone, is a beloved Boulder landmark. Locals began hiking to the arch in the 1880s, with women wearing long dresses and men in coats, ties, and bowler hats. The first trail to Royal Arch was made in 1898. The City of Boulder bought the area as part of today’s Boulder Mountain Park in 1920. The following year a group of Boy Scouts and Rotarians built today’s trail.Recommended season(s): March through November.
–Stewart M. Green
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.