Grays Peak (14,270') - Torreys Peak (14,267')
Photos and Video: My Hike of Colorado 14ers Grays Peak and Torreys Peak - July 22, 2010
Grays Peak and Torreys Peak
Today I climbed both Grays Peak and Torreys Peak via the standard route from Stevens Gulch.
This is a very popular hike, especially for those living in
Denver and the Front Range who desire to summit a relatively "easy" 14er.
The photo above shows the trail with Grays Peak (left) and Torreys Peak (right) on this beautiful morning.
Directions: Travel on Interstate 70
to Exit 221 in Bakerville. Go south on Stevens Gulch Road to the trailhead. Although today I
reached the trailhead by driving carefully in a low clearance 2WD passenger car, a 4WD vehicle is recommended. As always, I recommend you have
a quality topographical map with you whenever you're hiking in the mountains.
Visit 14ers.com for more information about this standard route and other interesting routes to these peaks.
Steve Garufi in Buena Vista, Colorado - Twitter: @stevegarufi
- Facebook: ColoradoGuy.com Fan Page
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I was on the trail by 6 a.m. |
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Grays Peak and Torreys Peak come into view. |
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Coming closer to Grays Peak. |
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The trail to the saddle has a large patch of snow and ice that has refused to melt. This reminded me
of poor Phil who struggled across a massive snowfield while coming down Mt. Sherman last month. :) |
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At the saddle between Grays Peak and Torreys Peak, the view looking toward Torreys Peak. |
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The remaining climb to the summit of Grays Peak. |
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Near the top, I had this grand view of Stevens Gulch and the surrounding mountains.
Much of the trail can be seen in this photo. |
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Grays Peak - Altitude 14,270 Feet
I must say, Grays Peak from Stevens Gulch is near the top of my ranking of the "easiest" 14ers. Climbing at this altitude is hardly a breeze,
but compared to all the others, it sure felt like it. I would rank this peak close with Mt. Sherman as a good choice for someone
first starting out with 14er climbing. |
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Looking down toward a few hikers with
grand mountain scenery. |
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Kelso Mountain (alt. 13,164 feet) in the foreground looks like a nice mountain to climb sometime. |
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A zoom-in of a variety of peaks to the northwest. Mt. Shiktau, the pointed peak on the right (direct sunlight on it)
is a 13er that I plan to ascend soon from Loveland Pass. |
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The view of Torreys Peak from Grays Peak. Now I must tell you, I did not feel too well as I sat on Grays.
In fact, the sight of Torreys Peak played a role in dissuading me. I decided to hike down to the saddle
and then decide whether to climb Torreys Peak when I got there. Well,
I started to feel better as I came down Grays, and I can tell you that this view of
Torrey Peak makes it look much steeper and intimidating that it actually was. |
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Facing south, a grand view of Colorado mountain scenery.
Other recent Colorado 14er hikes:
Mt. Evans Via Guanella Pass
Mt. Princeton
South Elbert
Mt. Sneffels
Huron Peak
La Plata Peak
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Torreys Peak - Altitude 14,267 Feet
Photo taken near the top of Torreys Peak.
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At the summit. By the way, I received so many comments from people about my
Arkansas Razorbacks hoodie. :)
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It was only 9:45 a.m., and already clouds were beginning to roll in.
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The view of Grays Peak.
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Today I met a 60-year-old man named Owen Wood who bravely ascended Torreys Peak via the Kelso Ridge. He said it was
"good class III climbing." I am not sure I am as brave as him to take this route, but it can be done.
On the way down, Owen and I had a great talk
about mountains, life and his business of creating and selling handmade distinctive knives. You can read more about his business here:
www.owenwoodknives.net.
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Looking down at the gulch and much of the trail. The long mountain surrounding the gulch is McClelland Mountain, with the
highest point being 13,587 feet. Ah, there are so many mountains to climb, and so little time! :)
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One final shot of mountain after mountain toward the northwest.
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