Page Type: | Route |
---|---|
Lat/Lon: | 39.97487°N / 105.29268°W |
Route Type: | Scrambling |
Season: | Spring, Summer, Fall |
Time Required: | Half a day |
Rock Difficulty: | 5.0 (YDS) |
Overview
Fumbledeedum is an adventurous route to the top of Dinosaur Mountain. It starts in Bear Canyon and works its way up via a series of ramps and gullies passing obstacles like blocks, poisonous plant-life, chockstones and even caves along the way. The scrambling is difficult at times but is not exposed enough to cause alarm (in most places). This would be an excellent practice for people interested in alpine scrambling routes when the high country is still snowed in.
Getting There
Park at NCAR at the end of Table Mesa Drive in Boulder. I'm sure there are multiple ways to approach this but NCAR makes the most sense to me.
Route Description
Getting up this route can be a bit confusing. The trail systems are very good while on the main trails but getting up into Bear Canyon seems very roundabout. Here is a map of the trails. The views are very nice and you should enjoy the hike in. I will explain how to get to the start of the scramble and a few hints. I'll try to leave some of the fun route-finding up to you to preserve the adventure of heading to somewhere new.
Starting at the NCAR trailhead, follow the signs towards Mallory Cave until you reach the Mesa Trail. Follow the Mesa trail south (left) towards Bear Canyon passing a stream along the way.
Essential Gear
Ten Essentials.
A Helmet is not a bad idea to keep you from whacking your head in the cave sections.
Long pants for poison ivy.
External Links
This route is free of the regular annual closures in the Flatirons. Under unusual conditions the upper saddle of Dinosaur Mountain can be closed so check here before you go.
A map of the Flatirons trails isn't really needed but it is nice to know where you are on the main trails.
Other photos of the route that might help.