One of Golden’s great recreational escapes, South Table Mountain, is the dream of concerned locals who saw extraction and industry winning the future if they didn’t push back. One of those was Carl Eiberger.

For more than 20 years beginning in the 1970s, the conservationist and attorney used his expertise to prevent various obstructions from overtaking the landmark, including a quarry. He led the Citizens Coalition to Preserve South Table Mountain, which would also stand against a Nike facility on the flattop.

South Table remains something of a patchwork of private and public property — a continued focus of generational preservation. Advocates have been emboldened by more than just the popular hiking, running and mountain biking across the 1,482 acres. They know the rock-rimmed South Table to be significant for its volcanic history, its paleontology and wildlife habitat.

Eiberger knew it as “God’s country.” He died in 2019. But his legacy lives on.

He is the namesake of Carl’s Point, the scenic overlook on the northeast edge of South Table’s trail network. We set a course there at last visit.

Of the park’s several access points, we started from Golden Hills, taking Fossil Trail up the road through waving grasses.

The folding knolls, birdsong and crickets lend an idyllic feel here where urban sprawl is close in view, but seemingly far away. Also in view along the path: Golden’s foothills, Boulder’s Flatirons, the Coors factory and its water source.

Fossil Trail flattens and meets Old Quarry Trail. We went right (east) and continued about a mile to Basalt Cap Loop.

The loop itself is about 1 1/2 miles, with Carl’s Point close to the eastern middle. It’s easy to imagine the man here taking in a sunrise, watching the colors across the landscape.

We went back the way we came.

Trip log: 5.9 miles round trip (“lollipop” loop), 572 feet elevation gain

Difficulty: Easy-moderate

Getting there: Golden Hills access point at 16741 Golden Hills Road, Golden

FYI: Non-motorized, multi-use trail. Icy in winter; wear traction. Dogs on leash. Trail map here: https://tinyurl.com/4n6r4s6n

SETH BOSTER, THE GAZETTE