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Elevation: 8,240 ft
GPS: 39.11923, -105.23977
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 464,300 total · 2,109/month
Shared By: John McNamee on Feb 17, 2006
Admins: Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC
Warning Access Issue: NOTE: Access only from Turkey Rocks Trailhead. DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

Note: The GPS coordinates for this location as shown on the map will take you to the trailhead not the location of the main crag. To access the main crag, utilize the Approach to Turkey Rocks.

If you want to climb great cracks, then Turkey Rocks is the place to be. Without a doubt, it has one of the finest concentrations of crack climbs in Colorado with a friendly southerly aspect and a quick approach. It is often possible to climb here during the winter, although a four wheel drive vehicle can come in handy to negotiate the snow that is sometimes found on the road and the walk to the base of the crags.

Turkey Rocks is as its name suggest is a collection of rocks. These include the Leftovers, Rightovers, Turkey Rock, The Turkey Perch, and Turkey Tail.

Getting There Suggest change

From Denver: head south on US 285 to Pine Junction. Turn left at Pine Junction onto County Road (CR) 126 and follow the signs to Deckers. At the Deckers intersection, turn right onto CR67 and after approximately 8.5 miles turn right at the sign for Westcreek (CR73). Follow this road for about 1 mile and turn right onto CR68 (Stump Road - there's a fire station at this corner.) In about 2 miles you'll pass Sheep's Nose. After about 1 more mile, turn right onto Forest Road 51 (Cedar Mountain Road). This road is generally passable for 2WD as long as you're not driving a low rider! At about the 2 mile point you'll pass the abandoned Big Turkey Campground. You can either park here and walk about 30 minutes (uphill-not recommended) to Turkey Rocks or continue driving about another mile to the next road on the left. Take this road to its end (there are good camping spots along this road). The trail from here is good, and it takes about 10 minutes to reach the saddle between Turkey Rock on your right and Turkey Perch on your left. Turkey Tail is to the left (north) of The Perch and the Leftovers are to the right (south) of Turkey Rock.

From Colorado Springs: go west on US 24 to Woodland Park, and then take a right on CO 67 towards Deckers. It is approximately 14 miles from the turn left onto CR68 at Westcreek. See the Denver description for instructions once at Westcreek.

Do not park in or approach the crags from Turkey Rock Ranch Estates. There is no public parking and the locals do not take this well.

Per Pete Gallagher: May 4, 2020: the culvert crossing on Teller County 51 (Cedar Mtn Rd) at Turkey Creek is failing, and a large hole has opened up in middle of the road. Teller County Road & Bridge Dept. has been notified, and they have scheduled a crew to work on the crossing this Wednesday, May 6. You will not be able to access the Turkey Rock parking area or trailhead while they are working on the crossing. Access to the Big Rock Candy Mt. and other domes on the east side of the South Platte River will only be possible from the south end of the Cedar Mtn Rd. The county Road & Bridge folks expect to complete the work in one day, but after looking at it this morning, I would not be surprised if it takes quite a bit longer. It will depend on the size of the equipment they bring in, because the culvert will likely need to be completely reset. I will post again after the have completed the work.

125 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Turkey Rocks

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 558
Left Handed Jew
Trad, TR
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 331
Gobble Up
Trad
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 357
Steppenwolf
Trad
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 120
Turkey Shoot
Trad 3 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 293
Gobbler's Grunt
Trad 3 pitches
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 183
Straw Turkey
Trad 3 pitches
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b
 157
Quiver and Quill
Trad
5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 54
Finger Lickin' Good
Trad 2 pitches
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 259
Vanishing Point
Trad
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 159
Drumstick Direct
Trad 2 pitches
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 165
Great White Crime
Trad
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 165
Whimsical Dreams
Trad
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c
 70
In Search of Unicorns
Trad
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 39
I Turkey/ Resurrection
Trad, Sport
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 10
Johnny Lat
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Left Handed Jew Turkey Perch
 558
5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad, TR
Gobble Up Turkey Perch
 331
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad
Steppenwolf Turkey Perch
 357
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad
Turkey Shoot Turkey Rock
 120
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad 3 pitches
Gobbler's Grunt Turkey Rock
 293
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad 3 pitches
Straw Turkey Turkey Rock
 183
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad 3 pitches
Quiver and Quill Turkey Tail
 157
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b Trad
Finger Lickin' Good Turkey Rock
 54
5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Trad 2 pitches
Vanishing Point Turkey Rock
 259
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Trad
Drumstick Direct Turkey Tail
 159
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Trad 2 pitches
Great White Crime Turkey Rock
 165
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Trad
Whimsical Dreams Turkey Tail
 165
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Trad
In Search of Unicorns Turkey Tail
 70
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c Trad
I Turkey/ Resurrection Turkey Tail
 39
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Trad, Sport
Johnny Lat Turkey Tail
 10
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
More Classic Climbs in Turkey Rocks »

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