Sitting above Golden, this popular cliff band faces south & west, so it makes for comfortable winter/cold weather rock climbing. Per Tim Stich: the rock was formed by shoshonite porphyry lava flows, making it unique in character to most other crags in the area. Most routes here are tightly bolted and generally short (60 foot range), so a 50m rope and 10 quickdraws will often be sufficient. Toproping many routes is easy to do, with quick access to the top and bolts just below the top anchors just below the top of the cliffs; however, the rock at the top can be loose in places, so make sure you're safe when setting up topropes.
IMPORTANT: please drive slowly (speed limit is 20mph) through the neighborhood along Peery Parkway. Over many decades, the main point of friction with local residents has been drivers speeding on their way in or out of the park. As of 2023, this is still an active problem that the Golden Police Department is addressing through increased enforcement. Let's do our part to make the neighbors glad that they live near public open space and such a popular climbing area.
There are two parking lots, but the lower one (right fork) has the bathroom, trash cans, and trailhead sign and should be used first (the upper lot is technically an overflow lot only). From both the upper and lower parking lots, follow the main trail up to the cliffs. Beware of rattlesnakes in the summer and fall. The trail meets the cliff, you are on the far right (east) side of the cliffs.
The Golden Cliffs see a lot of use, and some anchors are being severely worn by people running topropes directly through anchors. If you plan to toprope, please preserve the resources by using quickdraws or carabiners on the anchors, and whenever possible rappel off rather than lowering through the anchors.
Note, as the years have gone by and the popularity of this area has increased, the rock has become polished in places...amazingly so in spots. In particular, warm days can make the rock feel greasy and leave the infrequent visitor feeling sandbagged at times. Beware.
Climbing has been part of North Table Mountain since the 1950s, and the cliffs were preserved through an amazing collaboration between the former landowner Mayford Peery, the Access Fund (to whom Mr. Peery gave his property in 1997), the City of Golden, and Jefferson County Open Space (JCOS). The area straddles land owned by Golden and Jefferson County Open Space, though today, JCOS owns and manages the cliffs and most of North Table Mountain proper (including the lower parking lot and the official trailhead), while the city of Golden owns the upper parking lot and the slopes below the cliffs.
The entire North Table Mountain park sees very high traffic from users of all kinds-- climbers, bikers, hikers, etc.-- so please help preserve this place by staying on trail, packing out all your trash and dog/human waste, and respecting the folks who live nearby.
There is a dumpster here; however, consider recycling your cans and bottles rather than filling landfills.
For the bulk of North Table: from the east, take I-70 west to CO Hwy 58. Get off at Boyd St. Go to the 2nd stop sign. Go straight/uphill on Plateau following it briefly as it curves right. Go left and then take the first right onto Peery Pkwy. The sign says "Dead End". Go to the end of the street, continue past the gate. There are 2 lots - the "overflow" to the left and the main lot (with the pit toilet). Please, pay attention, and drive respectfully and obey the speed limit as you are driving through neighborhoods.
From the north, take CO Hwy 93 south to Golden. Just as you enter town, take a left on Washington St. Follow Washington to 1st Street, and take another left. Once across the bridge at the bottom of the hill, take a right on Partridge Cr. Turn left (east) on Ptarmigan St. Ptarmigan St. which will turn into Peery Pkwy.
From the west, take US 6 on to CO 58. Exit Washington St and go south to 7th Ave. Go east to Ford St. Go east (just after crossing under CO 58) on 7th Pl. Go north (left) onto Boyd St. Follow this as it goes uphill and curves right and becomes Plateau Pkwy. Take a left and go uphill on to Peery Pkwy to its end as it also curves right (east).
For the above, follow Perry onto a dirt road that will lead to one of two parking lots. The lower lot has the outhouses. Both lots have trails which head uphill. For reference, the new Access Fund trail comes up to the main cliff just below This Ain't Naturita, Pilgrim in the Overhang Area.
The old parking lot from the '90s has been converted into a home & garden.
For the Crater Crag/North Quarry of North Table and possible the left end of the main cliffs: from the intersection of US 6/CO 58/CO 93, head north. On the right, past Pine Ridge Rd. / Wyoming Cir. will be the North Table Mountain Park parking lot. Head up the gravel road.
For the East Quarry, Quarry Wall, and East Bluffs of East Quarry: see the suareas for directions that utilize the MacIntyre exit off CO 58 and Easley Rd.
Per Brett Brotherton: I attended a meeting last night with JCOS, City of Golden, and Golden PD. Residents on Peery Pkwy. have observed many trailhead users driving too fast.
Please be courteous and respectful when driving through neighborhoods by paying attention and following posted speed limits. At the trailhead, be sure to clean up trash, and stay on trail so as not to jeopardize access. Let's show that the climbing community is doing its part to reduce impact on those living nearby.
Dogs are required to be on leash at all times as per regulations of both the City of Golden and JeffCo Open Space. These regulations apply (separately) to all portions of the Golden Cliffs / North Table Mountain Park.
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Fort Collins CO
But as I go back & back again, this place grows on me. It's unique featured vertical faces & sculptured holds makes this an area worth practicing various grades to apply to trad lines. Overall, a good place to kick back & work on better climbing moves. Mar 1, 2006
Denver, Colo.
Boulder, CO
Grade?
Name?
Thank you,
Dale Sep 11, 2007
Evergreen, CO
Thanks,
Laura Oct 16, 2007
Santa Monica, Ca.
Longmont, CO
It must be the way these guys think, but it seems totally backwards, the photos are totally ambiguous (they all seem to look the same and seem massively underexposed) and (as Christian pointed out) there are absolutely no route descriptions. This guide is not worth the paper it is printed on and I hope that someone is putting together a new one (maybe with some color - or at least better photos)...until then, I will probably continue to wander around, looking for someone who knows the area better than me... Nov 10, 2007
Golden, CO
Westminster, CO
Westminster, CO
Highlands Ranch
This guide has a color cover 144 pages with 46 black & white photos, topo drawing and maps.
As for the Golden Cliffs the book goes from right to left. Starting with the first cliff you come to on the approach trail being the Child Free Zone and ending at the Risk Area. This is the opposite from Ben Schneider & Jason Haas's guide to goes from the north and work south and east (backwards). I think this is very useful. Also the map of the area is much improved. The approach information to the South Quarry and Pinnacle Area shows a better trail or boadbed. Even if you have the beautiful color guide, I think my guide will prove very useful with year round climbing possibilities near Golden. Oct 1, 2010
Wheat Ridge
Englewood, CO
Whoever is marking the bottom of the climbs, this is not acceptable outside, that stays at the gym. This crag is so commonly used to bring beginners into our sport, it would be good if it could show a better example. When I was leaving the crag today, I saw a banana peel left on the ground and a used chalk ball.... Guys, please, can we make it seem that we're a little more mature?
Other note: Anyone got any ideas on how to get the markings off the wall? My first thought was power washer, but that seems a little impractical :). Mar 20, 2011
Around Boulder, CO
In that case, rubbing alcohol and some cloth will probably do the trick.
If I climbed there, I'd take care of it myself, but I don't. Mar 21, 2011
Denver, CO
Westminster, Colorado
The net of it is that the overflow lot where the animal control folks were is not owned by the Access Fund. The lower lot is owned by the Access Fund. The trail and a good chunk of the land under the normal cliffs to somewhere near the Winter Warmer/Fence area is owned by the Access Fund. The area to the left (Winter Warmer area and left) and the top of the mesa are owned by Jefferson County Open Space.
The Access Fund doesn't have regulations regarding dogs and leashes. However, they said, if/when in doubt, place your dog on a leash so as to avoid a ticket, since the property boundaries are not always clearly indicated.
JeffCo OS has regulations about having dogs on leases. I spoke with Mike Morin about this.
Apparently Golden must have some regulation about dogs on leashes now. Mar 2, 2012
Winthrop, WA
Glenwood Springs, CO
Yes, there is climbing. Clear Creek Canyon is the best local option, N. Table Mtn. is your closest second option, but it gets sun all day and is just okay. There are guides and they can be found at Bent Gate Mountaineering on Washington St. in Golden. Feb 6, 2013
Morrison, CO
Lakewood, CO
Boulder
I'm planning to replace some bolts. If you know of routes that you would like to see fixed, list them in that thread.... Mar 5, 2018
Golden, CO
Morrison CO
Golden, CO