Distance

2.9 mi to summit

6.5 mi total

Elevation

5,448 ft start

7,057 ft max

Vertical

2,141 ft gain

Time

58 min to summit

Went for a trail run with some detours to scramble up various rocks along the way. Set out to hit three rocks, and managed to summit all three (though not without some difficulties due to darkness). First was crown rock: summited via a narrow chimney on the west side (low 5th class). Second was Fifth Pinnacle (summit of Gregory Flatironette): starting from an obvious social trail, scrambled up the southwest side of the rock between the summit and another pinnacle, traversed around to the east and then north side, then hit the summit via a big move on the north side; was all 3rd class scrambling except the big low-5th-class move up to the true summit. Finally hiked up to Saddle Rock: didn't require any bushwacking, was able to traverse mostly across rock and a faint social trail to the base of the rock, then summited with some 3rd class scrambling via the southwest side, though there looked to be a lot of doable variations. Lots of bird poop on top of Saddle Rock; I suspect it doesn't see many people, which is a shame because it's some of the best views of Boulder and the surrounding areas I've seen. By this time it was already after sunset so I couldn't stick around long. Returned to Gregory Canyon Trailhead via Amphitheater Trail via my phone's flashlight (hoping there were no bears or mountain lions or serial killers waiting around each corner), then back to Eben G. Fine via surface streets with streetlamps.

The journey in order was Eben G. Fine Park -> Viewpoint Trail -> Flagstaff Trail -> Crown Rock Summit -> Crown Rock Trail -> Gregory Canyon Trail -> Saddle Rock Trail -> Fifth Pinnacle Summit -> Saddle Rock/EM Greenman Trail -> Saddle Rock Summit -> Saddle Rock/EM Greenman Trail -> Amphitheater Trail -> Gregory Canyon Road -> Flagstaff Road -> 6th Street -> Marine Avenue -> 4th Street -> Arapahoe Avenue.

Obstacles

darkness

Key gear

GPS device

Other peaks climbed on this trip