4 Day Pigeon & Turret Peaks

Located in the remote Ruby Creek drainage, Pigeon Peak (13,972 ft.) and Turret Peak (13,835 ft.) are two of Colorado's most remote and challending 13'ers to access and climb. Our camp high in Ruby Creek affords us excellent access to these two challenging peaks. Other peaks in the area such as The Monitor and The Index provide breathtaking scenery and pose formidable challenge in their own right. We utilized the D&SNGRR to access the wilderness area with a drop off at Needleton.

*If the dates of our regularly scheduled Pigeon and Turret Peak Climbs do not fit your schedule we can also arrange for private dates and trips upon request.

Sample Itinerary

Day 0: Arrive to Durango and stay in a hotel. We will meet in the evening to do a gear check and ensure that you're packed and ready for the trip.

Day 1: In the morning we'll board the D&SNGRR train in Durango for the ride to Needleton and the start of the hike/approach into Pigeon Peak via the Ruby Creek drainage. After approximately 6 miles we reach our camp in upper Ruby Creek at the foot of both Pigeon and Turret and near the Monitor and Index Peaks.

Day 2: Rising early to avoid afternoon thunderstorms, we'll approach and climb the North Ridge of Arrow Peak, characterized by a combination of 3rd and 4th class ledges.

Day 3: Again rising early, we'll approach and climb the Western Flank of Turret Peak.

Day 4: A leisurely morning allows us to pack our camp and head back to the train pick up at a reasonable pace. The train will pick us up at 2:00 and we'll arrive back to Durango around 4:30 with plenty of time to catch a shower and enjoy a celebratory dinner! This is also an alternate summit day in case of poor weather.

Additional Information

Trip Cost Includes: Backpacking and climbing guides for the duration of the trip. All group technical equipment required for the climbs. Tents, food, cooking gear, and D&SNGRR train tickets.

Not Included: Hotel costs before, during, or after the courses. 3% land use surcharge, $3 Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue card (required), trip cancellation insurance, personal climbing/camping equipment and gear, or guide gratuities.

Prerequisites: Participants should have previous backpacking or camping experience. Rock climbing experience is not required, but if you have never rock climbed we do recommend a half day of climbing with us in Durango prior to your trip to the Grenadiers.

Registration and Cancellation: You will need to fill out our Domestic Registration Form, cancellation policy agreement, and liability waiver, and send it to us with a 50% deposit. Balance is due on the first day of the course. Please click on our Registration link to access the required forms.