When I want a solid workout without spending a over an hour driving to a trailhead, North Table Mountain Park is one of my go-to hikes. My friend Mindy and I come here occasionally, especially when we’re short on time. On this trip, we hit the trail just before 6:30 a.m. to stay ahead of a forecast triple-digit day, and we were back in the car by 7:50.

For this outing, we tackled the 3.2-mile Tilting Mesa to Mesa Top Loop in reverse, knocking out the steepest climb right from the start. The route gains just over 500 feet, making it a great fitness hike without taking up your entire morning.

Climb First Then Enjoy the Views and Wildlife

From the parking lot, we headed right on the North Table Loop Trail and immediately started climbing. Once on top, we passed the spur trail to Lichen Peak on our left (we did that on a previous hike). We’ve hiked it before, but this morning we stayed on course and continued onto the Tilting Mesa Trail.

The wildlife certainly made the early alarm worthwhile. We spotted numerous deer grazing on the mesa. The views of Denver are great from the top of the mesa too.

Then while descending on the Mesa Top Trail, we watched a mama deer keeping a close eye on her two babies. Quiet wildlife moments are one of the reasons I love getting an early start.

Go Early for the Best Experience

There’s virtually no shade on this hike, and it’s one of the most popular trails near Denver. Those are two reasons why I recommend an early morning start, especially during the summer. You’ll beat the heat, avoid much of the crowd, and have a better chance of spotting wildlife. Plus watching the sun come up over Denver is beautiful.

Reward Yourself in Golden

One of the best parts of this hike comes after the trail. We made it to Windy Saddle Cafe in Golden just after 8 a.m., before the weekend rush. It’s a local favorite for coffee, breakfast, and lunch, and my post-hike reward was the Plain Jane with egg and cheese. After earning those 500-plus feet of climbing, it tasted even better.

If you’re looking for a quick workout close to Denver with great views, plenty of wildlife, and enough elevation to get your heart pumping, the North Table Mountain Loop is tough to beat.

For another great hike near Golden, check out post on Mount Galbraith.