Turkey Rocks conditions

Planning a trip up to Turkey Rocks this weekend. I was wondering if anyone has been up there recently and what the drive/hike in is like (snow and or mud)? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Worth the trip in your opinion. I don't mind the trek is the base of the climbs aren't waist deep or sloppy.

I've been up there a couple times this winter. Three weekends ago Turkey Tail was good, the base was clear. Turkey Perch had several feet of snow at the base. I couldn't get over to Turkey Rock itself, too much snow. I would guess it's OK by now. the road is probably still really bad.

I was up at Cynical about a week and a half ago and the south facing hills weren't bad at all. Pretty much melted off. For the Turk i think the crux will be getting to the trail head and yeah, you'll be posthole-ing the shit out of that approach given the north facing aspect. . .

Thanks for the feedback. Getting ready for an Indian Creek trip in April, so I need all the splitters I can handle!

Would skis and skins make any difference on that approach?

You got it backwards, bra. You're supposed to go to Indian Creek now, and Turkey in april...and Turkey doesn't have many splitters.

I've heard the tail has a few splitters...at least as close as I'm going to get. As far as the Creek now and Turkey later, gotta go when i can go.

Mike Anderson wrote:You got it backwards, bra. You're supposed to go to Indian Creek now, and Turkey in april...and Turkey doesn't have many splitters.

Nice! I'll be sure to check it out. It'll be my first trip there ever so I'm sure I'll get it handed to me but I'm sure the first of many trips to be had. Any other recommended routes?

I think Turkey Rocks would be a helpful tune up trip for the Creek. Drumstick Direct is awesome for wide hands - if you can do it you will be more than ready for routes like Think Pink, Fat Cat, Whales Back, Curiosity, etc... Other must do's at Turkey Rocks are Whimisical Dreams, Vanishing Point, Great White Crime, Straw Turkey, Gobblers Grunt, Rasmussens Crack, Finger Lickin Good (probably too cold for it right now), Turkeys Turd. That should get you started on the crack climbing. If you can climb some harder granite cracks you should do well at the creek after a few days initiation. Have fun.

The first Indian Creek climbers where all from Colorado Springs thus Turkey Rock locals. It is a helpful place if for no other than getting strong.

Thanks to all for the feedback. It's greatly appreciated. Does anyone know how much snow they got during this last dumping?

We got 8 inches in Evergreen, I am assuming that West Creek got a bit less. I would be more concerned with the existing snowpack on the road to Turkey. If you camp at the turnoff, expect 1.5 hours each way to hike into Turkey this time of year. Maybe try emailing Pete Gallager to see if he know if the road is open. Good Luck!

I checked it out today and there is no way you could drive to the trailhead. Maybe ski in but at least a pair of snowshoes for floatation. There was about 2 inches of fresh snow on top of one foot of hard packed.

anybody been down there recently. i'm thinking about this weekend and was wondering how the snow and road conditions are...
thanks :)

I'd say you'll be fine with the warm weather we've been having. The road in will still probably still require some 4x4 but the rock will be perfect!! I was thinking about heading out there this weekend as well.

NO! - It's snowed in for 10 miles with 5' drifts (uphill both ways) -- you don't want to go there, you want to go somewhere else; yes, that's what you all want to do. No need to play in snowy muddy crap & the cracks are all filled in with silicone to keep them insulated.

Was down near Buffalo Creek area last weekend was pretty muddy & wet, but we did just have a fair shot of moisture on Sat. Hopefully, it all dries up a little bit. Don't know how good the road to Turkey is. But, good luck - it should be a good weekend for it!

PLEASE TREAD LIGHTLY. There is still a lot of snow in the South Platte. It has been almost two weeks since the last time I was in the Turkey Rock area and there was a lot of snow on the road. I'm sure most of the snow has melted but the road will be very muddy. If road is bad, please don't tear it up. If the road gets damaged we risk having the Forest Service close it for repairs. Please give it another week or two. Climb Sheep Nose instead.

Another place that is not a good idea due to snow is the Castle. You can't even drive to the west side of the lake. That is what the caretaker told me last week. It may be ok by now.

I drove up to Turkey yesterday afternoon and the road still had two feet of snow. I did not attempt it with my Subaru Forester, as it looked like I would definitely get stuck.

thanks for the update, it's not going anywhere i can wait a couple more weeks ;)