HikeArizona.COM

Hi, I have a question about an alternate route from the Ironing Board to the Flatiron. FYI, I've gone from the Ironing Board to the Flatiron a few times. (The route is not as well trod as it used to be.) It's cairned to the base of the Flatiron after that, it's a bit of a bushwhack to join the main gully. My question is, instead of joining the main gully at about 4300', is it possible to take the gully that is a bit farther south? The gully in question isn't easily identifiable on a topo so i marked it in orange on my map.

@lisac
It's possible, I ascended there 19 years ago. RS :: RS Mapped triplog confirms it's still fine in the second paragraph(orange tab on left)

By "ironing board," I assume you mean the intermediate shelf that sits below the Flatiron (and is more or less even with the top of the bowl area)? The alternate route you describe is indeed possible. I've done it several times. It's actually getting somewhat "well trod" these days, as more and more people make the mistake of getting pulled into the drainage that veers to the right where the main trail parallels the nose of the Flatiron, and then get too committed to try getting back into the main drainage. As a result, this alternate drainage is beginning to look more and more like the "correct" route. At the very top, you have to pick and choose your final ascent, which involves a class 3 move or two, but nothing crazy.