Trail 14 North Table and Mesa Top

Though it's mostly exposed, one of my favorite hiking areas is North Table and its various trails. The easier trail loop is described in 60 HIkes Within 60 Miles: Denver and Boulder as "a brief hike straight up the side of this iconic mesa (North Table) leads to a unique experience atop an ancient lava flow that feels like a tabletop." The hardest segment to hike for the mesa top trails is the initial slope right up the side of the mesa cliffs. It's steep by hiking trail standards, as it was originally an access road for a now abandoned quarry at the top. Once you are on top of the mesa, the trails have very little elevation change. It's a hike for the views.  Hiking in late Spring will give you a chance to see many different flowers in bloom.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/BjyU2fHnvNH/, https://www.instagram.com/p/BVDUg0sFjIZ

However, there's also the North Table Loop. This is a more challenging and long trail that continues around the mesa along it's slopes in a full loop. I've hiked this trail once. It's a lot tougher. I may hike this trail again, but better prepared with water and snacks. The only rattlesnake I've ever found while hiking was found on this trail, along with many more rattlers I could hear in the brush, particularly on the Southside. The Northside is more open. This magpie kept one eye on me while its other eye was on the lookout for its lunch.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fcsuper/p/BYrhAUjnZyA/

If you want, you can hike to the top of the top at Lichen Peak. Why is it named Lichen Peak?  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fcsuper/p/BVDUytxl5Xt/