| Pigeon Turret Saddle via Ruby Lake Route |
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| Pigeon Turret Saddle via Ruby Lake   | 
| Page Type: Route Location: Colorado, United States, North America Lat/Lon: 37.63000°N / 107.65°W Route Type: Scramble Time Required: A long day Difficulty: Class 3
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| Page By: truchas Created/Edited: Sep 17, 2003 / Sep 17, 2003 Object ID: 158826 Hits: 1358 Loading... Page Score: 86.22% - 1 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
Approach
The standard route on Pigeon starts at the Needleton stop of the Durango and Silverton Narrow Guage Railroad. After crossing the Animas River on the Needleton bridge, take a left turn on a trail heading north paralleling the Animas river. Walk about 1/3 of a mile down this trail past a fence, down a small hill, then to an open meadow. Although there are reports this trail is hard to find, it is not difficult. Walk to the right along the boundary between the meadow and the forest. Approximately (this is a guess from memory so it may not be exact) 50 yards into the meadow you will find a cairn and the trail.
Route Description
The trail is relatively easy to follow at this point, however, after crossing a creek, the difficulty begins. The trail becomes steep with slippery sand at first, then becomes very difficult to follow. All I can say is it is a steep uphill climb and continues on a northerly track towards Ruby Creek. I got lost on the way up and back. Keep looking and you will eventually pick it up again.
The trail will eventually cross the rock rib (below treeline at 10,300 ft) coming off from the summit of Pigeon Peak. For those who do not wish to set up a base camp in the basin above Ruby Lake, you can follow this rib all the way up to the summit. Shortly after this, the trail makes a right turn towards the east and then parallels Ruby Creek on up to the lake. This is another place that will be very difficult to follow and may require some bushwacking. Pass this beautiful lake and continue on up to a bench above the lake through some chest-high willows. At this point, a beautiful basin above timberline with towering cliffs in all directions opens up before your eyes.
Scramble up to the saddle between Pigeon and Turret Peaks. Descend down and around to the right (southwest) to a small saddle (see picture attached) and then continue on down and around (west) the base of the rock tower above you. Continue contouring around and up 3rd class rock and grass slopes all the way to the summit, finishing off the summit facing back east again.
Essential Gear
Bring a good topographic map. You may need to rely on it when you lose the trail.
Images
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San Juan Range
