North Table Mountain (Lichen Peak Trail)
Adventure Type … Hike
Highlights … Views, Summit, Sunset
Seasons … All Seasons
Difficulty with Kids… Moderate to Hard due to short but steep hike to the summit
Trail Details… 1.6 Miles, Out and Back (AllTrails)
Closest Town … Golden
Shade … None
Parking Situation … Plenty
Potty Situation … Flush Toilets at Trailhead
North Table Mountain is my absolute go-to trail for a late afternoon or sunset hike. Looking up at the trail, it’s going to feel daunting - and it is to an extent- but it’s short and the view from the top is worth it. Just be prepared to go slow with littles and take plenty of breaks.
Once you get to the top, there are several smaller trails to keep exploring. The first is right when you get to the top of the main pitch, there is a small rock ‘staircase’ that heads up on the ridge looking over the valley into Golden. On a clear night, you might also catch a glimpse of the Flatirons towards Boulder. This is where we typically watch the sunset.
Another area to check out at the top is Lichen Peak - if you follow the main trail at the top, the trail to Lichen Peak veers to the left. This is another great spot to watch the sunset and isn’t on a crazy cliff.
TRAIL TIPS
Watch littles around the cliffs. A safety note about this if you have younger kids - the summit area right after the steep pitch is alongside a cliff (up the stone staircase to the right I mentioned) so if you have kids that you don’t trust can be safe, I would skip this part and head to Lichen Peak which is a tamer area.
Can be Icy/Muddy in the Winter/Spring. Especially in the late winter/spring, this trail can get ICY + MUDDY.
Trail Modification. This trail is technically a loop but in my experience, the loop is only good if you want the exercise (sans kids) which is why I typically just do an out and back to Lichen Peak.
Be Aware of Snakes. Like all trails in this neck of the woods, there are rattlesnakes present so something to be mindful of (I’ve done this hike 10+ times and never seen one).
Start to the trail
Throwing rocks to take breaks during the steep section
Cliffs at the top of North Table
Best sunset views around!
View from Lichen Peak