Crack Au Lait stands as a gritty invitation on the East Quarry’s rugged face, challenging trad climbers with a 50-foot fight through varied cracks and flaky holds. From the very first moves, the route tests your ability to read shifting rock and commit to placements where confidence is earned rather than given. The start broadens into a wide crack, demanding delicate fingerwork for those with slender hands, while mid-route flakes dare you to verify your grip with patience and care. Waiting near the summit is a choice between a steep offwidth flare or a more pleasant, featured rightward face that rewards technical poise.

This single-pitch climb offers a raw slice of Colorado trad climbing, free from the safety net of fixed anchors. Climbers must construct their own protection using a rack extending to a #3 Camalot, including a pair of #1 Camalots, a red TCU, a yellow TCU, a #0.75 Camalot, and a large wire. These pieces become not just gear, but companions on this vertical journey, securing your path amid uncertain rock.

Approaching the wall means embracing the atmosphere of North Table Mountain’s East Quarry, where exposed cliffs rise over Golden’s townscape with a commanding presence. The area’s sun-soaked granite can be blistering midday, so aim for early starts to catch cooler temperatures and soft morning shadows. Descending demands equal attention; after topping out, veer up and right, placing a #0.75 Camalot before carefully walking down to established Good JuJu anchors for rappelling. This step closes the loop with a practical safety note—solid anchors are few and far between here, so careful planning is essential.

Though this route scores modestly with an average of two stars, it carries a sense of honest challenge. It’s not a polished sport climb; rather, it’s a route that rewards climbers who appreciate the tactile engagement and mental game of trad climbing on less-traveled stone. Whether you’re honing crack technique or looking for a steep taste of Colorado’s climbing grit, Crack Au Lait offers a climb that is both grounded and demanding.

Prepare for the variable rock quality by bringing a hammer for knocking loose flakes—a small investment in safety that pays dividends. As the route winds through its features, expect to hear the sharp scrape of gear sliding into delicate placements and the whisper of wind over the quarry’s exposed ledges. Here, the rock is both challenge and guide, requiring respect and attentiveness.

In short, Crack Au Lait is a demanding but rewarding route for trad climbers who aren’t afraid to grapple with unpredictable granite and take control of their own safety. Its location near Golden makes it easily accessible, while the climb’s character ensures a memorable experience shaped by both physical skill and mental focus.