Colorado Hikes near Denver: North Table Mountain West Loop (Golden)
Living in Denver, Colorado, offers many perks, including great hiking trails within 18-30 minutes. Here’s the first of a series of Golden hikes I recently recommended to my personal training clients in Denver.
There are plenty of accessible hikes within a short distance of LoHi in Denver. North Table Mountain West Loop in Golden is always a nice option in the late winter or early fall.
Time of Year: Early February.
Weather: 33 degrees and sunny at 9:14 am.
Cover: Completely exposed (more ideal for winter and early spring because of the sun).
Time: 9:14 am - 11:47 am.
Distance: 6 Miles total (West trailhead parking lot to Lichen Peak to the east side of the mountain and looping north and then west back to the lot).
Traffic: Low (normally high).
Parking: Several spots available.
Equipment: Hiking boots and microspikes.
Terrain: A quick climb up from the lot but flat once you reach the peak. I faced 12-20 mph winds on my back until I reached the east side and began looping north/northwest. At that point, I was walking against a not-so-kind wall of wind. Beautiful views of neighboring mountains and Golden. It’s a well-marked snow-covered path, but I could see it muddy during the late spring.
Difficulty: Easy, but the initial walk-up may require a cardio baseline.
Denver Personal Trainer Notes: For those looking for a challenge on this hike, you can extend it up to 8-10 miles if you include the outer rim loop. Interval training up and down the initial ascent at the west trailhead will undoubtedly increase the heart rate. Run up and walk down for 20 minutes to wake up the soul!
The wind nearly swept me off the mountain into downtown Golden. Luckily, I would’ve landed on New Terrain Brewery.
Wind-swept twenty minutes away from the Denver personal training studio!
Despite a frigid day, a well-worth six mile hike in Golden!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: MICHAEL MOODY, PERSONAL TRAINER
As an author, a personal trainer in Denver, and podcast host, Michael Moody has helped personal training clients achieve new fitness heights and incredible weight loss transformations since 2005. He also produces the wellness podcast "The Elements of Being" and has been featured on NBC, WGN Radio, and PBS.
Michael offers personal training to Denver residents who want to meet at the 2460 W 26th Ave studio….or in their homes throughout LoHi (80206), LoDo (80202), RiNo (80216), Washington Park (80209), Cherry Creek (80206, 80209, 80243, 80246, 80231), and Highlands (80202, 80211, 80212). Michael also offers experiences with a personal trainer in Jefferson Park (80211) and Sloan's Lake (80204, 80212).
If you’re looking for a personal trainer who can curate a sustainable (and adaptable) routine based on your needs and wants, Michael is the experienced practitioner you’ve been looking for. Try personal training for a month…your body will thank you!
