Name: Golden Summit Trail
Rating: 4.0

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Overview

This well-maintained trail takes you from downtown Golden to its most prominent geological feature, Castle Rock, which allows for 360-degree views of the Front Range and the Great Plains. Not as steep or technical as the Sleeping Elk Trail, this is manageable by most if taken at a moderate pace.

Description

From the neighborhood just east of downtown Golden, locate the trailhead and move through some switchbacks for a quick start to your climb.

After some straightforward but somewhat steep hiking, you'll join the South Table Top Mesa Trail and head west from there along the top of the cliff. At the base of Castle Rock, start a series of concrete steps up the final stretch where a large flat area and expansive views await.

History & Background

Since its founding in 1859, Castle Rock has always looked out over the city of Golden and is visible on its town logo. In 1873, a little brewery was also founded in its shadow by Adolph Coors.

Contacts

Land Manager: Jefferson County, CO - Open Space Dept.

Shared By:

JM Addleman with improvements by Lily Douglas

Full Details

Trail Ratings

4.0 from 34 votes

#1

in South Table Mountain

#507

Overall

4.0 from 34 votes

5 Star		26%
4 Star		47%
3 Star		26%
2 Star		0%
1 Star		0%

Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in South Table Mountain

#108

in Colorado

#507

Overall

52 Views Last Month

15,717 Since May 30, 2015

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Photos

Golden's South Table Mountain and Castle Rock from the head of the Sleeping Elk Trail

May 21, 2015 near Golden, CO

Peak of South Table Mountain Park Overlooking the city of Golden, CO

Oct 7, 2016 near Golden, CO

1 Comment

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Unknown

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Check-Ins

Jul 10, 2024

Mark Douglas Dally

18h 00m

Apr 16, 2023

Toni Moran

Mar 26, 2023

Will Heinle

Nov 21, 2022

Carolyn Jungels

Jul 24, 2022

Noriko Rothberg

Jul 22, 2022

Ryan Bowman

2.5mi

Mar 22, 2022

L Slvr

Apr 5, 2021

Edgar Villeda

zero shade, but nice views of golden at the top!

Dec 31, 2020

Olivia Zindel

We took this trail down. It was a nice size. A great place to ride your bike down if you plan on biking. — 1h 00m

Jul 28, 2020

Mihai Turdean

Jul 2, 2020

Brice Allen

Mar 25, 2020

Erin Andersen

Includes many other trails (e.g., South Table Top Mesa). 7.5mi — 2h 38m

Mar 17, 2020

T H

Mar 15, 2020

Matt Culpepper

Castle Rock summit (6322) 1mi — 0h 45m

Sep 29, 2019

Mick Kinney

Jun 7, 2019

The Viking

May 30, 2019

Danielle McGill

Apr 28, 2019

tj briscoe

Great trail 2mi

Apr 20, 2019

Schannon Gumz

Mar 16, 2019

Toni Graves

1.8mi — 8h 39m

Feb 23, 2019

Jay Cowling

Super windy but beautiful views! 1mi

Feb 3, 2019

Ash Hennen

Feb 3, 2019

Dru G

1.9mi

Jan 20, 2019

Private User

Jan 19, 2019

Lily Douglas

lovely short hike with views of the city and the foothills

Nov 25, 2018

Ryan Berger

3mi

Sep 26, 2018

Private User

Sep 9, 2018

Wid G

Jul 26, 2018

Annie Swindell

Sunset hike. 1.8mi

Jul 5, 2018

Gavino Cherchi

Jun 27, 2018

Dawn of the Hill People

1.8mi

Jun 19, 2018

Jordan Frdnmkr

2mi

May 13, 2018

Dan Vogel

Lots of ground to cover once you get to the top.

Apr 12, 2018

David M

Apr 7, 2018

James Hampton

Apr 1, 2018

Elizabeth Frazee

Apr 1, 2018

Dusty Sleeves

Nice hike, all clear.

Mar 25, 2018

Kevin McCall

1.8mi

Jan 28, 2018

Alissa Thorne

2.3mi

Nov 11, 2017

J S

Oct 23, 2017

Jason Berling

Aug 26, 2017

Cam Morton

1.9mi

Aug 23, 2017

LDC 418

Jul 30, 2017

Holly B

1st hike with Dave after his spine surgery 1.8mi

Jul 30, 2017

Dave Baraloto

My first hike 1 month after spinal fusion surgery. It took everything I had but I did it. outstanding view at the top. 1.8mi

Jul 22, 2017

Irma Randolph

Jul 15, 2017

Kayla Maureen

My first trail/mountain hike when I moved to CO! It was a lot easier than I was expecting and a good introduction to the altitude

Jun 15, 2017

Edgar Vazquez

Apr 8, 2017

Leah Bartolotta

Sep 27, 2016

Elliot Alexander

Great view from south table mountain 1.8mi

Aug 29, 2016

Ken Haupt

Feb 28, 2016

Karissa Swanson

Jun 13, 2015

Kenzie Ratterree

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Golden Summit Trail

“This is the classic trail to ascend the backside of Golden's signature rock formation, Castle Rock. ”

1.7

2.7

Out and Back

6,208' 1,892 m

5,840' 1,780 m

370' 113 m

369' 112 m

8%

17%

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Know This Trail?

Dogs Leashed

Features Views

Overview

Description

History & Background

Contacts

Shared By:

Trail Ratings

#1

#507

#1

#108

#507

Photos

1 Comment

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Check-Ins

Nearby Recommended Routes

Abert's Loop

North Table Mountain - Short Loop

Mt. Galbraith Park Loop

Matthews Winters Lollipop

Matthews/Winters Red Rocks Loop

Mount Morrison

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