Turret Peak, Mountain summit in La Plata County, Colorado.
Turret Peak is a summit in the Needle Mountains within the San Juan range in southwestern Colorado. It rises to about 13,841 feet and sits east of the Animas River in a rugged mountainous region.
The peak was first summited in 1979, marking an early documented ascent of this remote mountain. The region remained largely inaccessible until climbing expeditions began exploring the Needle Mountains area.
The peak forms part of the Weminuche Wilderness, representing Colorado's mountaineering heritage through its technical climbing routes and demanding terrain.
Getting there requires using the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad to reach Needleton Bridge as your starting point. From there, a backcountry trail leads through alpine terrain with significant elevation change and remote conditions.
The mountain is composed of crumbling volcanic tuff rock, making climbing conditions exceptionally difficult and hazardous. This unstable geology means that successful ascents are rare and require specialized skill and experience.
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