Dutch Treat offers climbers an engaging two-pitch trad experience that diverges from the more popular Showtime route in Boulder Canyon’s Garden area. The climb sets off on familiar ground, following the first pitch shared with Fine Fir, Before The Deluge, and Crackdown before veering onto a less-traveled crack system guarding the heart of the pinnacle. The first pitch brings you about 65 feet up to a pedestal platform, where the landscape opens into a rugged jumble of vertical cracks and sharp edges. Expect solid rock and varied moves as you ascend, with plenty of natural features that demand attention and precision.

Pitch two carries the adventure deeper into the pillar's core. Starting from the pedestal, you'll scramble up a gully just right of the anchor, where careful gear placements — highlighted by a well-placed green Camalot — provide security as you traverse right onto the main wall. This stretch features a challenging bulge guarded by a single bolt, after which the climb eases onto an arete crowned by a distinctive hand crack that leads to an alcove. The route splits here: Dutch Treat presses upward through the alcove to a narrow slot, forcing a choice to either power through or swing right around to a ledge beneath a compelling crack system.

The final section demands steady technique as you climb the cracks that sculpt the pillar’s face, culminating on a slab where the prominent "chicken head" stands out like a bold foothold. Small wired nuts on the right side protect the delicate moves leading to this feature. Standing on the chicken head offers a moment to catch your breath and scout your finish — either trending left toward the familiar Showtime anchors or veering right to the quieter Local Hero anchor.

Dutch Treat measures around 195 feet in total length, with a grade of 5.8-, making it a moderate but worthwhile challenge for climbers confident in gear placements and crack climbing. The climb's traditional protection setup requires a rack that covers small to medium cams, with pro sizes up to a #2 Camalot handy for the wider cracks. Two bolts add security near the top, but the majority of the route depends on solid gear placement.

Approaching Dutch Treat means accessing Boulder Canyon’s Garden, a well-loved climbing hub just outside Boulder, Colorado. The area is easily reachable with a short approach through mixed terrain, featuring forested trails with intermittent views of the jagged canyon walls. The climb faces a favorable direction, receiving direct sun by late morning, warming the rock nicely on cooler days.

Descending Dutch Treat involves a controlled double rappel. Begin by lowering 95 feet down to the B Boys anchor, then continue another 100-foot rappel to a gully above the Local Hero start. From here, a straightforward 20-foot downclimb and a short walk lead back to The Garden trailhead. An alternative descent option retraces Showtime’s rappel system in three stages, offering flexibility depending on party preference and conditions.

Climbers tackling Dutch Treat should prepare for its technical demands and moderate exposure. Though the route doesn’t push into the upper grades, its varied gear placements and crack maneuvers merit focused attention. Early season ascents benefit from the sun’s warmth, but summer afternoons can bring heating rock and increased visitor traffic. Hydration, solid crack climbing shoes, and a comfortable rack will enhance both safety and enjoyment on this classic Boulder locale.

Dutch Treat stands as a practical yet invigorating climb, balancing accessibility with distinctive crack climbing that draws trad enthusiasts ready to explore beyond Boulder’s most frequented lines. Whether combining it with Showtime or seeking its unique flow, this route offers a memorable visit to one of Colorado’s prime climbing playgrounds.