Mountain Project: Climbing South Platte

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. Approximately 14 miles from the turn left onto CR68 at Westcreek. See 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.

The Classics

Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for Turkey Rocks:

Honky Jam Ass Crack 5.7 Trad Turkey Perch

Gobble Up 5.8 Trad, 1 pitch Turkey Perch

Reefer Madness 5.8 Trad, 1 pitch Turkey Perch

Left Handed Jew 5.8 Trad, TR, 1 pitch, 70 feet Turkey Perch

Ragger Bagger 5.8+ Trad, 1 pitch Turkey Perch

Gobbler's Grunt 5.9 Trad Turkey Rock

Turkey Shoot 5.9 Trad, 3 pitches Turkey Rock

Hummingbird Way aka Snively's Crack 5.9 Trad, 1 pitch Turkey Tail

Steppenwolf 5.9 Trad, 1 pitch Turkey Perch

Brain Cramps 5.9+ Trad, 1 pitch Turkey Rock

Straw Turkey 5.10a Trad, 3 pitches Turkey Rock

Sidewinder 5.10- Trad, 2 pitches Turkey Tail

Quivering Quill 5.10c Trad, 1 pitch Turkey Tail

Drumstick Direct 5.10+ Trad, 2 pitches Turkey Tail

Finger Lickin' Good 5.10d Trad, 2 pitches, 200 feet Turkey Rock

Vanishing Point 5.10d Trad, 1 pitch Turkey Rock

Whimsical Dreams 5.11- Trad, 1 pitch Turkey Tail

In Search of Unicorns 5.11- R Trad, 1 pitch, 50 feet Turkey Tail

Great White Crime 5.11b Trad, 1 pitch, 70 feet Turkey Rock

Journey to Ixtlan (1st Pitch) 5.12a Trad, 1 pitch, 70 feet Turkey Tail

Comments on Turkey Rocks

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Comments displayed oldest to newest — Skip Ahead to the Most Recent Dated May 21, 2009

By Charles Danforth
From: L'ville, CO
Apr 29, 2006

So, when was Big Turkey CG abandoned? I spent the night there last night and, though the gate was closed and there were no signs posted, it looked to be in pretty good shape. The privy was unlocked and even stocked with TP. Looks like they just haven't opened it for the season to me.

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.

By adam brink
From: Boulder, CO
Oct 30, 2006

Has anyone been down to Turkey Rock in the last week or two? Are there still pilot cars driving on the even hour? What is the camping situation near the crag? Thanks for the help!

By Casey Bernal
From: Wheat Rige, CO
Nov 21, 2006

I was in the area about a month ago. The road should be fully open by now. When we were there, the road was complete but the ROAD CLOSED signs were up, and we basically just drove around. All the dirt roads were severely eroded but should be passable with moderate ground clearance.

I can't help you on the camping situation though.

peace

By Dan Richelson
Sep 2, 2007

The directions at the top of this page are not good.
here is a link to a Google Earth Waypoint for camping (and parking for climbing) at Turkey Rocks.

http://www.areadan.com/gps/TurkeyRockCamp.kml

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

By Becki
Sep 1, 2008

...These directions above are confusing. You actually turn off of the highway where you see a sign for Westcreek (CO67) and then take a right. You will turn right onto Stump Road, or SR68, about a mile off of the highway.

By Stich
From: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Sep 2, 2008

This has to be some of the best crack climbing in the entire state. Even beginners with no success on cracks can find something that fits their hands and have a good time on.

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

By John McNamee
Administrator
From: Littleton, CO
Sep 3, 2008

I've tried to improve the description on how to find the place. Please let me know if it makes more sense and is correct. Dan's google map and description is probably the most accurate and thanks for posting it.

By Eckhard
From: Denver, CO
Sep 30, 2008

Why don't people go South on CO 85 to CO 67 and south on that and enter thru Westcreek? It seems like the back way and maybe shorter. What am I missing? Is it harder that way?

By slim
Oct 1, 2008

It's way, way longer that way.

By Ross Keller
From: Conifer, CO
Oct 2, 2008

The "Getting There" description has been updated. Please let me know if it needs any tweaking. Thanks.

By Matt Bolt
From: Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
May 21, 2009

I left a pair of 5.10 Mocasyms near the trail head leading to Turkey Rocks on Tuesday, May 19th. If someone finds them and would be willing to return them, I would be willing to compensate.

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Turkey Rocks

Description

Getting There

The Classics