South Table Mountain

Located East and a little South of Downtown Golden, South Table Mountain can easily be identified by its famous "Castle Rock" feature visible on it's Northwest side. North Table Mountain on the other hand is north of Clear Creek and Hwy 58.

There are many mixed terrain options when riding over South Table Mountain, but the best circle route probably starts in the Applewood neighborhood, accessing the trailhead at Old Quarry Road. This trailhead provides single track to the mesa's top. Once on top one can ride south and then down to NREL, circling back to Old Quarry Road for a nice short mixed route.

Or once on top, one can head West on single and double track to the back side of the Castle Rock feature. The second trail to the South can be descended, but some hiking is likely. Even further South are ridable trails into the residential neighborhoods north of Old Golden Road.

Once down, follow the pavement on 13th which turns into 32nd. 32nd is a popular training route for road cyclists and is located to the North of South Table Mountain. Follow 32nd Kendrick Street, turn South back towards South Table Mountain. Kendrick turns right or West just before the mountain and heads to Rolling Hills Country Club. Just before the Country Club's gate there's a Jefferson County Open Space trail heading South up the mountain to a flat trail and abandoned agricultural ditch. Follow this flat trail East back to the original Old Quarry Road Trailhead.

Of course this route can be done in reverse. Either way, it's a great mixed terrain route close to metro Denver that's ridable nearly all year around. However, be careful on top of the mesa. There are several single and double track options with land ownership unmarked.

More Photos of South Table Mountain:

Double Track on top of the mesa

Top of trail leading down from top to Golden w/ Lookout Mountain Beyond

Joe Crews in snow on top of the Mesa

View North towards Boulder

East Trail Near Top

East Trailhead Kiosk