Elevation: 6,986 ft
GPS: 37.334, -107.882 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 36,757 total · 238/month
Shared By: e Dixon on Jun 5, 2006
Admins: Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac
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Description

This area is most popular for the bouldering. It is close to town and right off the road. There are boulders scattered all over with problems of varying difficulties. For these reasons the Bouldering area is quite popular and often crowded. In contrast, the Turtle Lake Cliffs seem to be seldom visited. They are located right above the Bouldering area and contain a selection of routes from face to crack, and bolted to gear.

Getting There

From Durango, drive west on 25th Street (Junction Creek Road). When the road forks go right (CR 205), pass Chapman Lake on the right side of road and park in a pullout when the Bouldering area is visable. Park in the same place to approach the Cliffs.

53 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Turtle Lake

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
V2 5+
 21
● Yellow Jacket
Boulder
Bouldering > Rdside Boulder
V2-3 5+
 11
● A Brief History
Boulder
Bouldering > W Block
V3 6A
 46
● Bird Hole Right
Boulder
Bouldering > Big E Block
V3 6A
 25
● Pocket Pool
Boulder
Bouldering > Rdside Boulder
V4 6B
 14
● There's a Lesson Here
Boulder
Bouldering > Bear Boulder
V4 6B
 3
● Abraham Lives
Boulder
Bouldering > Unnamed Boulder
V4 6B
 6
● Fade Away
Boulder
Bouldering > W Block
V4 6B
 3
● The Exfoliater (aka Monkey Hang)
Boulder
Bouldering > W Block
V6- 7A
 10
● Center El Turtle (Dynamo Hum)
Boulder
Bouldering > W Block
V7 7A+
 10
● The Fin (Stand)
Boulder
Bouldering > Big E Block
V8 7B
 6
● Beckoning The Call
Boulder
Bouldering > W Block
V11 8A
 5
● The Fin (Sit)
Boulder
Bouldering > Big E Block
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 8
● Coyote's Tooth
Trad
Cliffs
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
● Yellow Jacket Bouldering > Rdside Boulder
 21
V2 5+ Boulder
● A Brief History Bouldering > W Block
 11
V2-3 5+ Boulder
● Bird Hole Right Bouldering > Big E Block
 46
V3 6A Boulder
● Pocket Pool Bouldering > Rdside Boulder
 25
V3 6A Boulder
● There's a Lesson Here Bouldering > Bear Boulder
 14
V4 6B Boulder
● Abraham Lives Bouldering > Unnamed Boulder
 3
V4 6B Boulder
● Fade Away Bouldering > W Block
 6
V4 6B Boulder
● The Exfoliater (aka Monkey… Bouldering > W Block
 3
V4 6B Boulder
● Center El Turtle (Dynamo Hum) Bouldering > W Block
 10
V6- 7A Boulder
● The Fin (Stand) Bouldering > Big E Block
 10
V7 7A+ Boulder
● Beckoning The Call Bouldering > W Block
 6
V8 7B Boulder
● The Fin (Sit) Bouldering > Big E Block
 5
V11 8A Boulder
● Coyote's Tooth Cliffs
 8
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad
More Classic Climbs in Turtle Lake »

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Photos

Bill Grasse on "The Fin". Photo By: Ian Alison.
Bill Grasse on "The Fin". Photo By: Ian Alison.
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7 Comments

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IanA
Durango, CO
IanA   Durango, CO
Turtle Lake Bouldering area has just been cleaned-up. On April 26th 2008 climber picked up trash and for the first time this popular area received a full clean-up of chalk and rubber. It's amazing how much this has change the grip of the rock. Please help us keep it clean. Brush of the holds after you are done climbing. Thanks to all the came out to help! Apr 27, 2008
IanA
Durango, CO
IanA   Durango, CO
Durango Bouldering Guide in stores now. Check it out! Aug 18, 2009
Dylan Weldin
Athens, OH
Dylan Weldin   Athens, OH
Warning: Beta video....
The best problem at Turtle Lake. Beanies were appropriate attire for THIS day of bouldering but not EVERY day of bouldering (please).

youtube.com/watch?v=fw3bngD… Dec 4, 2011
Ben Coyle
durango co
Ben Coyle   durango co
I found a silver neckless with in loving memory Axel inscribed on the back and a picture of a young man on the front. send me a message if it's yours. Aug 30, 2012
PhunkieJunky
PhunkieJunky  
Hey, so I left a chalkbag and a blue biner clipped to a tree, in front of the roadside boulder, get in touch with me if you snagged it, Thanks.

not the boo-ya bag Jun 27, 2013
DES
Durango, CO
DES   Durango, CO
Someone lose a pair of climbing shoes recently (around 9/8/13)? Please respond to claim. Sep 13, 2013
Justin Laursen
Chattanooga, TN
Justin Laursen   Chattanooga, TN
A couple of weeks ago, one of my La Sportiva Cobras fell out of my pad as I was leaving. About a week later, I returned to find it sitting smack dab on a rock at roadside boulder. You guys are just the best sometimes! Apr 20, 2015