Crap Crags offers a rugged introduction to traditional climbing on the imposing North Table Mountain's Golden Cliffs, just outside Golden, Colorado. This single-pitch route spans around 60 feet and challenges climbers with solid handcrack climbing that tests technique without overwhelming the body. The approach immediately pulls you into an environment shaped by rough granite, where every hold is an invitation rather than a guarantee.

Starting up a sustained handcrack, your fingers slot into the rock's chestnut grooves. Around 30 feet in, the crack gives way, leading you left onto a slender arete. The rock here feels alive — rough and weathered, urging caution. Transitioning from the crack to a bulging handcrack calls for precise placement and steady movement, followed by a final, straightforward face climb that brings you to a comfortable belay stance. At the summit, anchors secured into solid gear grant safety and a moment to absorb the surrounding open air and distant valley views.

Protection demands respect here, with placements running up to a #3 Camalot to safeguard the line. The rock's texture offers good friction, but the route's broken sections require sharp focus and smart gear placement to minimize risk on less predictable holds. While the pitch ranks as a moderate 5.8, the climbing’s earthy qualities—cracks that twist, moves that ask for balance—add a tangible, physical engagement that lifts it beyond a simple grade.

Reaching the base takes a short hike from a well-marked trailhead designed for access to multiple Golden Cliffs climbs. The descent involves a scramble eastward from the top, requiring careful footwork on loose rock and awareness of route-finding. This makes the outing a complete loop of movement: approach, climb, and retreat all packed with subtle challenges and lots of Colorado’s dry, sun-baked mountain air.

For those seeking a route with honest crack climbing close to a major urban area, Crap Crags is a practical choice. Its straightforward beta appeals to intermediate trad climbers looking to sharpen crack skills before tackling longer, more committing lines. Gear up with a standard rack including larger cams and prepare for solid ground beneath your feet and sky above your head. The route’s compact nature makes it an efficient outing, yet still rich with the textural details only true granite can offer. Golden’s climbing scene benefits from routes like this: accessible, educational, and grounded in real climbing experience.