Climb Table Mountain in the Red Mountain Open Space

Table Mountain sits smack dab in the middle of Red Mountain Open Space, an area known to geologists (and settlers) as "The Big Hole", a singular and unique landform that peaks into the "basement" rocks that underly northern Colorado and Southeastern Wyoming. Soapstone cliffs and bright red Dakota Sandstone are just some of the remarkable features that can be seen along miles of hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails.

To get to Red Mountain Open Space, take Co. Road 21 from Terry Lake Road, and after 9 miles take the clear turnoff left from Antelope / Red Canyon Road (about .75 miles *before* the main parking are). From Red Canyon Road you can see where the road visibly crosses over Sand Creek. If you do not have a vehicle you trust to cross over the creek, park here.

Take the road across the creek and up the hill, passing an abandoned and rusted tow truck. A series of hills will be to your left, with the north face of Table Mountain clearly in view. Near the highpoint of the road (before it drops down to connect with County Road 23), take a left through a saddle and drop down to cross the drainage below the face of the mountain.

Technically the land to the west of the barbed-wire fence remains private land (though the owner has graciously deeded it to the City and County on his passing), so stick to the east of the fence and proceed up face of the mountain along the obvious use trails.

Contour along the east face. There are several points at which the main summit ridge can be gained, at which point head back north to the summit which is marked with a large pile of stones.

You'll be rewarded with amazing views of "The Big Hole" to the north, the Rockies (including Mt. Meeker and Long's Peak to the SW), the High Plains, and on a clear day the City of Fort Collins to the South.