North Table 1-30-10

North Table Mountain, Golden Colorado
1-30-10

This family hike started like most do. A stop off for coffee and the drive to the next spot. Louie, ambitiously pacing just knowing he is going for a hike. North table mountain is really a find for me. It has a very large population of deer and at least a family of 4 coyotes we counted today. I know that there are lion here and am doing what I can to locate some physical evidence. I am pretty sure I have seen some scat and tracks.


Here is a view from above the Golden cliffs. This area is a popular climbing spot for locals and those that have that "connection". There are a couple decent sites that have some information on the different climbs.

Certainly a variety of climbs for sure. I hiked the cliffs for sometime and found something for everyone. Access seems easy if you have the best hook up as it appears that some do and can drive right to the top.

Looking down 58th towards Wheat Ridge there is (what I call) the Southern drainage. There is a trail as you can see here which I believe comes from the eastern side of the Mesa.

Here in the Southern drain there is a herd of deer about 14 to 18 strong. I don't think this would be a great Cat spot but there is plenty of heavy underbrush so I wouldn't be suprised.

View east northeast to the opposing cliff band from the north side of the southern drain.

I refer to this as dead tree wash. It certainly attracts a fair amount of wildlife as indicated by the abundance of tracks in the snow. The one thing I did notice is the lack of rabbit tracks. I wonder if this is due to the Coyotes and if this explains what appeared to be coyotes stalking a herd of deer a little later in this hike.

This is looking east southeast. You can see an arm of south table mountain and a possible new hike to explore.

There is an actual peak on the top of this mesa even though those that started mining here did their best to flatten it out. Mostly lava formed I am not sure what minerals they were looking for but they must not have found anything valuable.

Just an absolutely beautiful view of Denver and area. This is an unique shot that I haven't seen before and with binoculars can study a vast majority of this mesa.