North Table Mountain

Round-Trip Length: 3.35 miles
Start-End Elevation: 6,031′ – 6,510′
Elevation Change: +515’
Skill Level: Easy
Trailhead Location: North Table Mountain Park is located on the east side of Highway 93 in Golden, Colorado. The parking area is located on the north side of town, just north of Pine Ridge Road.

We wanted to get out for a short hike on Saturday morning with some friends before they needed to leave town. We decided on the North Table – Tilting Mesa – Mesa Top Loop. This is a short hike close to town with some great views. It had snowed several inches over night so we weren’t sure what the trail conditions would be like.

I was surprised when we got to the trailhead to find the parking lot full! Apparently a lot of others decided to get out on a sunny Saturday morning after the snowfall as well. Despite the parking lot being full, the trail was not crowded which was nice.

The majority of the elevation gain (423′ of the 515′ of total gain) comes in the first 0.5 miles. Heading up the wide North Table Loop trail to the top of the mesa.

Looking back down the trail.

A view of the snow covered rocks along the trail.

At the top of the mesa is an area called the Sea Cliffs. This is a climbing area.

We merged onto the Tilting Mesa trail and continued our hike across the prairie mesa top. Looking back to the southwest along the trail.

A shot of Lichen Peak, the high point on the mesa.

A view to the west.

We continued along the Tilting Mesa trail. We had views to the east of downtown Denver. The trail continues north across the mesa and turns into the Mesa Top trail. A couple of more views along the trail including a yucca plant.