Outdoor Picture of the Day: Devil’s Thumb, Boulder, Colorado
Each morning as the sun climbs above the Front Range, an unmistakable silhouette rises over Boulder’s skyline — Devil’s Thumb. This jagged rock formation, perched high above the city on the shoulder of Bear Peak, captures the raw spirit of Boulder’s outdoor life. Today’s Outdoor Picture of the Day shows the Thumb bathed in soft light, its rugged cliffs glowing against a backdrop of alpine pines and cobalt sky.
So what exactly is Devil’s Thumb? It’s a dramatic sandstone spire in the southern Flatirons, and one of the most iconic formations in Boulder County. The rock’s name comes from its shape — a crooked thumb reaching skyward — and its reputation among early climbers for being both mesmerizing and menacing. The west face features a steep overhang, and even the “easier” east side demands real skill. According to Mountain Project, Devil’s Thumb was once outfitted with a steel ladder to assist climbers; all that remains today is a single pole and a rappel anchor — a silent tribute to Boulder’s early mountaineering days.
How to Get There…