Riding With the King stands out as a welcoming yet engaging route tucked into Colorado's Secret Crag, a quiet corner on Eldorado Mountain near Boulder that calls to climbers eager for quality rock and straightforward challenge. This is a climb that offers more than just easy pitches—it delivers a chance to engage with the vivid character of Eldorado’s granite, showcasing smooth plates, chunky crystals, and crisp edges that reward careful footwork and steady hands.

The approach to Riding With the King is direct, warning you from the outset with a tough move at the first bolt that demands respect. Starting just right of the belay, climbers face a choice: approach that initial bolt head-on, requiring precision and balance, or move slightly left to find an alternate line. As your fingers grip the angled pockets and your feet scan for solid stands, the rock here feels alive—a little rough in places but largely solid and reliable. Passing four bolts, you encounter a section where the rock loses some integrity with a red band, calling for careful touch and controlled movement.

Clearing the overhang at a notch marks a shift in the climb. At this point, the leader disappears from view as the route bends right into a corner that creates a natural sneak peak of what’s to come. This corner, with its right-facing crack and angle, demands commitment but rewards good balance and use of body positioning. Climbers find a comfortable ledge here, a welcome rest and staging point with an optional two-bolt belay—a practical spot to organize gear or support a second's tricky move on the first pitch.

If tackled as one pitch, the climb extends upwards over solid crystal plates and chunky pebble features, with a few crux moves that test finger strength and mental focus. The line gradually trends left before settling into the anchors crowned atop 130 feet of varied stone. These final moves feel like riding a wave of textured granite, the sun filtering through pines and the wind carrying sounds from the valley below.

Protection leans heavily on sport bolts: fourteen in total if you push through as a single pitch, or eight draws if breaking it into two. The key to smooth climbing here is managing rope drag—long slings on the first several bolts are essential to keep your rope running clean. This thoughtful planning reduces friction and lets your movement flow freely, an important factor on this route with its subtly shifting line.

Secret Crag itself, though often overshadowed by Eldorado's more famous faces, offers airy exposure and quiet solitude that suit both newer climbers making their step into multi-pitch terrain, and seasoned climbers seeking a less crowded challenge. The rock quality is mostly top-notch with moments that poke their head just enough for you to stay alert. The climbing is straightforward, yet offers pockets of excitement and variety, from plates to corners, making every clip and move feel purposeful.

Riding With the King’s orientation makes afternoon ascents particularly pleasant as the wall catches light without baking in the sun, while spring and fall present ideal windows to avoid extreme heat or winter snow. The short approach means you can easily fit this climb into a half day’s adventure, leaving time for exploring Eldorado’s surrounding trails or lingering in Boulder’s vibrant outdoor community.

Prepare for this route with durable shoes boasting sticky rubber, a day rack containing 8 quickdraws, at least four long slings, and plenty of water to stay sharp. The risk here is manageable but notable: watch for the suspect red zone early on, and stay aware when leading invisible sections beyond the notch, where good communication and precise rope management keep all partners safe.

In sum, Riding With the King delivers an accessible, engaging climb with features and terrain that invite both exploration and focus—an excellent choice at Secret Crag to experience Eldorado Mountain’s granite personality without getting lost in complexity.