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A nice 1,000 foot climb close to town with some good views.


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Map Key

2.6

Miles

4.2

KM

87%

Runnable

6,746' 2,056 m

High

5,805' 1,769 m

Low

954' 291 m

Up

13' 4 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

20%

Max Grade (11°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Wildlife

Runner Notes

Chapman Drive is now glorified singletrack after being washed out by the 2013 flood.

Description

Starting from Red Lion in Boulder Canyon, cross the fancy new bridge installed in 2012. Follow the sign to the trail, going straight past the misleading sign that says "Private Road". You are perfectly welcome on this part of the road. Chapman Drive continues up through a gate and then gently ascends Flagstaff Mountain. Enjoy the views and some very nice stonework on the turns. Soon you'll arrive at Realization Point on Flagstaff.

Factoid: the Bridge to the Red Lion was heavily fought over after a flood washed the old one away in June 2010 after a record snow year. The Red Lion is the host of many weddings and the major beneficiary of the bridge (Chapman Drive was used as a fire road in principle) but wanted the city to bear the entire cost. After much wrangling, they compromised, and taxpayers got better access, trailhead parking, and a greatly improved Chapman Drive trail that opened in December 2012.

Contacts

Shared By:

Tom Robson

Trail Ratings

  4.2 from 5 votes

#4

in Boulder

#10945

Overall
  4.2 from 5 votes
5 Star
40%
4 Star
40%
3 Star
20%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#4

in Boulder

#911

in Colorado

#10,945

Overall
23 Views Last Month
2,350 Since Apr 6, 2013
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate

20%
20%
60%
0%
0%
0%

Photos

Summer wildflowers bloom on Chapman Drive next to trail damage from the Boulder Floods.
May 6, 2016 near Boulder, CO
Snow dusted pine forests surround Chapman Road trail in the winter.
May 6, 2016 near Boulder, CO
The view of Indian Peaks from Chapman Drive.
May 6, 2016 near Boulder, CO
Boulder from above, on Chapman Drive
Mar 25, 2015 near Boulder, CO
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 95 days ago
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Nov 19, 2022
Trevor Edie
Fun downhill 2.6mi
Mar 6, 2019
Charly Jackson
May 16, 2017
Kennedy May
2mi
Aug 8, 2015
Gus Delaporte
Aug 7, 2015
Gus Delaporte
To Tenderfoot Trail
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