Weminuche Wilderness OverviewThe 492,418 acre Weminuche Wilderness is located twenty miles northeast of Durango, Colorado in the San Juan Range (1). The Weminuche is Colorado's largest wilderness area (1). The Weminuche Wilderness is home to the beautiful Needle Mountains. The Needle Mountains contain six of the hundred highest peaks in the state: Windom Peak, Mount Eolus, Sunlight Peak, Pigeon Peak, Jupiter Mountain & Turret Peak.
Turret Peak & The Turret Needles. |
Turret Peak A OverviewTurret Peak A is the highest of three Turret Peaks in Colorado, hence the A. Turret Peak is the 89th highest peak in the state and less than a half mile southeast of Pigeon Peak. Turret Peak was named because of its interesting rock faces and turrets. Despite its rugged appearance, Turret can be climbed by a class 2+ route.
The summit provides a great view of Pigeon Peak's east face and the Grenadier Mountains to the north. Turret's north face can be seen from the US 550 and CO 110 intersection outside of Silverton, CO. Turret's west face can be seen from US 550 south of Durango Mountain resort. Turret's first recorded ascent was done by Albert R. Ellingwood & Barton Hoag on August 17, 1920 (2). The route they chose is now the standard route and described below.
Turret Peak from the west. |
Getting ThereAccess to Turret Peak is via Needleton, CO. Needleton is most commonly reached by the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Roundtrip tickets cost $65 as of 2007. Avoiding the train requires an additional 1612 feet of elevation gain and 19 miles of hiking from the Purgatory Trailhead (3).Red TapeTurret Peak is in the Weminuche Willderness; mechanized travel is forbidden.
CampingThere are good sites at the 11,740 & 8,260 foot meadows in North Pigeon Creek and on the Animas River Trail, respectively.External LinkLists of JohnReferences1. The Complete Guide to Colorado's Wilderness Areas
2. Roof of the Rockies: A History of Colorado Mountaineering
3. Colorado's Thirteeners: 13,800 to 13,999 Feet, From Hikes to Climbs Images
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San Juan Range
