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Turkey Rocks
Colorado
> S Platte
Access Issue: NOTE: Access only from Turkey Rocks Trailhead.
Details
No access from the Turkey Rock Ranch Estates neighborhood.
Description
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
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.
![The turkey in the rocks, Turkey Rocks, CO. photo: Bob Horan.]()
[Hide Photo] The turkey in the rocks, Turkey Rocks, CO. photo: Bob Horan.
![Remote and plentiful, BH bouldering a new at Turkey Rocks.]()
[Hide Photo] Remote and plentiful, BH bouldering a new at Turkey Rocks.
![Sunset seen from top of P1, Whimsical Dreams, 11-24-12.]()
[Hide Photo] Sunset seen from top of P1, Whimsical Dreams, 11-24-12.
![North side of Turkey Tail from the top of the perch.]()
[Hide Photo] North side of Turkey Tail from the top of the perch.
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L'ville, CO
Unfortunately, my inaugural trip to South Platte didn't net any climbing. 'Twas mighty cold and snowing/y, and I am insufficiently manly. Oh well, still had a dandy time scrambling around and seeing the sights. Apr 29, 2006
trying to get to Sardinia
Wheat Ridge, CO
I can't help you on the camping situation though.
peace Nov 21, 2006
here is a link to a Google Earth Waypoint for camping (and parking for climbing) at Turkey Rocks.
areadan.com/gps/TurkeyRockC…
Also, here is a link to a Google Maps route that takes you almost there. Simply turn left where the route stops. If you zoom in with 'Hybrid' view on Google Maps you can see the dirt road to camping and the rocks. The route starts at US 285, so Colospringers might want a different route. We drove from Boulder.
GMaps route here maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl… Sep 2, 2007
Denver, CO
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Some GPS driving directions, courtesy of Dru Whitledge.
TKYTrn1 Turkey Rocks Turnoff #1 -- turn off main hiway 67 south of
Deckers at "WestCreek" road sign --
N39 09.220 W105 09.717
TKYTrn2 Turkey Rocks Turnoff #2 Firehouse -- N39 08.653 W105 09.774
TKYTrn3 Turkey Rocks Turnoff #3 -- N39 07.776 W105 12.088
TKYTrn4 Turkey Rocks Turnoff #4 -- N39 07.533 W105 14.484
TKYPark Turkey Rocks parking area -- N39 07.048 W105 14.296
TKYPrk2 Turkey Rocks Parking 2 -- N39 07.044 W105 14.293
TKYPerch TKYPerch -- N39 06.814 W105 14.181 Sep 2, 2008
Littleton, CO
Denver, CO
Parker, CO
Cleveland, TN
Salt Lake City, UT
39.114371, -105.23748.
It would be nice if the area had coordinates.... Nov 4, 2010
Littleton, CO
Eugene, or
Memphis, TN
Everyone should climb here, so many perfect cracks. Nov 24, 2012
Presidio San Augustine Del…
Thanks!
Scott Mc Jun 2, 2013
Colorado Springs, CO
Scott Mc - The South Platte climbing books by Haas will eventually be a 2-volume set. The southern volume will have Turkey Rocks in it. Fixedpin.com?
Camping is free there as it is in National Forest. Primitive, no toilets till you dig them (should you have a significant other that prefers...).
Great place. Jul 5, 2013
Wheat Ridge, CO
Maybe a set of RPs or other micro wires if you are getting on something super thin, and maybe some bigger cams if you are getting on something wide. The bigger cams would be helpful if you aren't solid on wide stuff in general, as a lot of the routes have wide sections of varying length.
Hope that helps, have fun. Great place. Nov 18, 2015
los angeles, ca
Monument, Co.
Denver, Co
Anchorage, AK
Carbondale, CO
Salt Lake city, ut
Forrest Aug 4, 2017
Colorado Springs, CO
Boulder, Co
Tree cleared! as of (11/09/2020) {also, there is a large tree on the road now about 1.5 miles from the trailhead for the whole Turkey Rocks area (coming from Denver). It’s blocking the whole road, but you can get around to the left if the conditions are dry. I believe only 4-wheel drive will make it. The tree fell on the road the morning of 11/08/2020.}. Nov 8, 2020
Memphis, TN
Colorado Springs, CO
Forgiving Yourself
Oh btw, one partner's Jeep Wrangler's wheels slipped off into a middle of the road gully and hump, and they were high sided, all four spinning, and dug out with tire iron for 30-45 minutes. On the way out is steeper and bumpy than going in.
I have seen some Subarus parked on the shoulder, and they hiked in the 2 miles.
I think they plow the road once a year in the spring? Maybe someone if you can please ask Pike NF for them to please grade it ASAP. Sep 14, 2022
Denver, CO