South Table Mountain, Mesa summit in Golden, Colorado.
South Table Mountain is a mesa in Golden, Colorado, with a flat summit formed by ancient lava flows that hardened over softer rock below. The sides of the mesa expose layers of reddish and grey rock, making its volcanic origin visible from the surrounding plains.
The area around the mountain was already used by Native American groups long before European settlers arrived in the mid-1800s during the Colorado Gold Rush. As Golden grew into a town, the mesa gradually became a local landmark and a place people walked for leisure.
The name "Table Mountain" refers directly to the flat top of the summit, which looks like a tabletop from a distance. On the plateau, visitors can still find areas where archaeological traces of earlier occupation have been recorded, including stone tools left by Native American groups.
The mesa can be reached from a few trailheads around Golden, and the paths lead up to the open plateau at the top. The summit has no shade or shelter, so bringing water and sun protection is a good idea, especially in summer.
The volcanic rock on South Table Mountain contains zeolite minerals, which formed as crystals inside small cavities within the cooling lava. Some of these mineral samples are on display in local museums in Golden, giving visitors a closer look at what lies beneath the surface of the mesa.
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