North Table Mountain

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North Table Mountain

Elevation 6,551 feet
Location Golden, Colorado
Range Front Range
Prominence Southwest Palisades
Coordinates 39°79′14″N, 105°20′03″W
Topo map USGS Golden
Type Mesa
First ascent 1840s by Black Kettle and tribe
Easiest route Quarry road up west slope

North Table Mountain is a mesa located just northeast of Golden, Colorado in Jefferson County, Colorado. Its most distinctive feature is its cap of basaltic rock formed from Jurasic lava flows. North Table Mountain is a popular scenic and recreational destination of the Denver metro area, and it is preserved as public open space by Jefferson County and the Access Fund. The mountain has a twin of the same formation nearby, known as South Table Mountain.

View looking west from the southern slopes of North Table Mountain. The Coors Brewery is in the center of the photo. To its left is part of South Table Mountain. The Front Range can be seen in the distance.
View looking west from the southern slopes of North Table Mountain. The Coors Brewery is in the center of the photo. To its left is part of South Table Mountain. The Front Range can be seen in the distance.
Geologists examining an ancient stream bed deposit exposed below the lava flows on the western slopes of North Table Mountain.
Geologists examining an ancient stream bed deposit exposed below the lava flows on the western slopes of North Table Mountain.



[edit] Wildlife

Among the animals known to frequent the mesa through time according to local newspaper accounts include mountain sheep, mountain lions, deer, elk and more. Of these most except for the mountain sheep continue to live upon the mountain today. In the late 19th century bees also nested in the cliffs.