HIKING REPORT 6/4/25- sunrise at North Table Mountain

Welcome to this week’s hiking report! The trail recommendations from last week’s hiking report still hold so this week I’m going to share a spring fishing hole recommendation and exactly how I catch sunrise at North Table Mountain.

Spring fly fishing

I spent last weekend camping near Buena Vista and enjoyed the dry trails plus a bit of fly fishing. My friend and I fly fished the Dream Stream near Spinney Mountain State Park on our drive back to Denver. I hadn’t explored this state park before and it is gorgeous! There are free range cows on your drive in and I made a mental note to bring my paddle board to get out on the reservoir next time.

If you want to fly fish the Dream Stream, park at Charlie Meyers State Wildlife Area parking lot. A guy in Buena Vista told us that if we hike about a mile up river there are two honey holes of trout. This was confirmed by a group of guys we met in the parking lot who wow’d us with their fish pictures after a productive few hours fishing these holes. We did not make it to the holes while we were there, nor did we catch a fish, but we still had a fun time fly fishing this clear, winding river.

Exactly how to see sunrise on North Table Mountain

I mentioned North Table Mountain in last week’s post as a great place to hike in the winter and spring. This also happens to be my favorite local spot for sunrise that I’ve frequented over the past ten years.

My friend first introduced me to this trail network while we were in college. He was just getting into ultra running and had run 28 miles the previous day so I said I’d join him on his 8 mile “recovery” run around North Table starting before sunrise. I showed up in the dark and we were the only cars in the parking lot. I didn’t bring water, wore a cotton sweatshirt and my Nike Free’s. I slowed him down that day but I have come back to enjoy over a hundred sunrises there since.

The details

There are few loops at North Table I frequent but today we’re talking about my favorite sunrise loop! It’s a perfect 3.2 miles, 541 ft. elevation gain trail. For sunrise, park at the West Trailhead and head up the steeper gravel path on the far right (when facing the mountain) that takes you to the top of the mesa. It’s about 0.6- 0.7 miles and 500 ft. elevation gain to the top. This climb takes about 15 minutes. I’ve done it in 11 minutes when I’m running behind but I’m on the verge of heart palpitations at that pace. To be conservative, plan for 20 – 25 minutes to the top for your first time.

Here’s where a little math comes in. The night before your hike, look at what time sunrise is. Also look at how long it will take you to drive to the trailhead. I usually want to be at the top of the mesa 7-10 minutes before sunrise to see the sky light up in color. I know this is very specific timing but stay with me.

If sunrise is at 5:30am and I want to be to the top 10 minutes before that, my drive to the trailhead is 16 minutes plus 15 minutes for the initial hike, that means I need to leave 41 minutes (10+16+15) before sunrise to make it in time. When I get to the parking lot, I roll out like a navy seal and head up that hill so there is no time accounted for dawdling in the parking lot. If you’re not a morning person, go in the early spring or winter when sunrise is later. If you need a little more inspo, know I have never regretted getting out of bed to catch sunrise on the mountain. Plus, I’ve never seen the same sunrise twice 🙂

Once you get to the top, enjoy the views in all directions and continue on with the loop. The full hike takes about an hour leaving time for the gym or a yoga class after before I head home to start my work day. It’s my perfect morning.

Clouds

The most colorful sunrises happen when some clouds are present. I love seeing a partly cloudy morning forecast in Golden. Last week, there was heavy fog and I was certain I wouldn’t be able to see anything when I got up to the mesa but the climb took me to clear skies above the fog and it was one of my favorite sunrises to date.

Trail snack of the week

Not a snack this week but I love bringing coffee or tea with me on the trail. This seems fitting as I’m sharing my favorite local sunrise hike. You may have to add some time to your equation above to make and bring your favorite beverage along 🙂

Until next week… Happy trails!

-Hannah