The Denver Trail Heads

Let's go on a short evening hike up South Table Mountain to check out the panoramic views of the Denver. Some of the history of South Table Mountain can be found here. Given the exposure on this hike, we will play it by ear, since the weather forecast may not be favorable.

Here's a nice article about Carl's hard work to preserve this area:

Next with Kyle Clark

CONTACT: Bernard at (303)-229-2419

ATTENDEE LIMIT: 14 Hikers per Jefferson County Open Space regulations.

SIGN-UP: Please RSVP yes only if you definitely plan to come. If you change your mind, please update your RSVP. By joining this group you agree to the Policies and Terms of this group.

COVID-19 PROTOCOL: Do not sign up if you:

• are sick with, or have tested positive for COVID-19.
• have been in contact with a person who is sick with, or has tested positive for COVID-19.
• are not feeling well, or have any other infectious disease.

THE PLAN: We will hike the Cretaceous Trail up South Table Mountain then turn left on the Basalt Cap Loop. We will loop back via the Tertiary Trail.

Sunset: 6:22 pm
Curfew: 7:22 pm

MEET: Please arrive early to get ready and for introductions as we will be on trail no later than 5:05 pm. If you are not on time, you can catch up with the group.

DISTANCE/GAIN: 2.6 mi RT with ~332 ft. total elevation gain (Level: easy-moderate).
MAP

WHAT TO BRING: Appropriate gear (jacket, water, snacks, headlamp, etc).

DOGS: Well-behaved dogs are welcome. Dogs must be leashed. Waste must be picked up and deposited into receptacles.

DISCLAIMER: Hiking is risky. Every year people are hurt and killed because they go beyond their abilities, get lost, or bring the wrong gear. I am not a professional guide. You are responsible for yourself. By signing up for this hike you acknowledge that you are solely responsible for your own safety and will do the necessary research to understand the conditions of this hike and the gear and conditioning required. And lastly, anyone choosing to hike with our group should carry personal medical insurance and a CORSAR (Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue) card in case of an emergency.

APRÈS LA RANDONNÉE:
Yard House - Colorado Mills
14500 W Colfax Ave
Lakewood, CO 80401

This invitation is to join an epic adventure in America’s grandest outdoor cathedral. There are gazillions of park visitors every year on the south rim. We’ll be on the north rim, so far from the crowds that it’ll be a small miracle if we see any others anywhere on the trip. Our route takes us on a four-day, three-night backpack from the canyon rim to the Toroweep Overlook, nearly 3,000 feet almost directly above the Colorado River, from where we’ll take-in one of the most jaw-dropping views on the planet. Our path is to and on the Tuckup Trail, which winds for about 100 miles under the north rim. We'll start about 34 miles from the overlook, descend about 1,400 feet, drop our packs for a 3-mile roundtrip excursion to renowned petroglyphs, go back to the Tuckup Trail and retrieve our packs, and from there hike step-by-step to the river overlook, where there will be cars to take us out and back to civilization, first at a vacation home near Kanab, and the next day home. During the hike, we’ll be in two-way satellite communication with both emergency responders and others in our group at the overlook, waiting for us and prepared to help us get ER help if necessary.
DATES
Oct. 15-21, 2025
LIMIT - 11
The SUBLIME
The vastness.
The grandeur.
The solitude.
The deafening quiet.
The indescribably beautiful and glorious night sky with no moon.
THE GOOD
Slick-rock hiking, which is easier because your boots don’t sink into the ground.
No trail, meaning that you can place your boots where you wish.
World-class petroglyphs.
Net elevation decline of about 1,400 feet.
Once we hit the Tuckup Trail after the elevation decline, we’ll be steady at 4,000 feet the rest of the way, making breathing easier than at mile-high elevation.
The usual weather at that time of year features warm days and nights.
The weight on our backs will decline every day even more than usual because…. see “The Ugly” below.
THE BAD
No trail means relying heavily on GPS navigation, with serious penalties for getting off-track.
The weather is variable, so we’ll need to be prepared if a system moves through.
Gross elevation gain/loss of about 4,000 feet because of a seemingly endless supply of ups-and-downs of as much as 100-200 feet/per.
No campfires until the final night at the overlook campground (if then).
THE UGLY
There is no reliable water source, so we’ll have to carry up to a gallon each for each day. That means 28-36 pounds of water, which in turn means that your packs will likely weigh 40-50 pounds on the first day.
Participants will need to have experience with desert hiking, fortitude, indefatigableness to overcome whatever hurdles we encounter, and a difficult-to-quench yearning for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in the backcountry.
Review what the park says about the area here. For those who subscribe to All-Trails, there’ a nifty 3-D video. Just search “Tuckup Trail.” I will have maps. We will meet in Denver a week or two prior to the trip for a meet-n-greet, to review safety protocols, and to pour over maps. I’ll provide an itinerary to those who sign-up.
I need to obtain a backcountry permit. I cannot apply for it until six months out.
I’m recruiting from multiple groups. To sign-up or ask questions, email me at mtnry@aol.com.

Please join me for a morning hike on the Rawhide Trail in White Ranch Park (West Trailhead) near Golden, Colorado. Be sure to park at the West Trailhead of White Ranch Park in the big parking lot on Belcher Road, 25373 Belcher Hill Road, Golden CO, 80403. For more info on the hike: Rawhide Trail, Colorado - 3,633 Reviews, Map | AllTrails
CONTACT: Christine (720) 278-9188. I drive a Blue Subaru Forester.
ATTENDEE LIMIT: 14 Hikers
SIGN-UP: Please RSVP yes only if you definitely plan to come. If you change your mind, please update your RSVP. By joining this group you agree to the Policies and Terms of this group.
MEET: Please arrive on time to prepare for the hike and to do introductions. We will starting hiking at 9:40 a.m.
WHAT TO BRING: Typical hiking gear, jacket, water, snacks, etc.
DISTANCE/GAIN: 5.2 miles, 866 feet elevation gain. (Level: Moderate).
NOTES: There is a restroom at the trailhead.
DOGS: Well-behaved dogs are welcome. Dogs must be leashed. Dog owners must clean up pet excrement.
DISCLAIMER: Hiking is risky. Every year people are hurt and killed because they go beyond their abilities, get lost, or bring the wrong gear. I am not a professional guide. You are responsible for yourself. By signing up for this hike you acknowledge that you are solely responsible for your own safety and will do the necessary research to understand the conditions of this hike and the gear and conditioning required. And lastly, anyone choosing to hike with our group should carry personal medical insurance and a CORSAR (Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue) card in case of an emergency.