Grays Peak & Torreys Peak

Grays and Torreys

This is my annual 9/11 Memorial Hike.  The past 4 years I have been in the Adirondacks.  Today would be my first time hiking to a 14er.  It has also been now 9 years since my cat Sherman got hit by a car.  I cannot believe that next year will be ten years.

Camping out at 10,000 feet probably was not one of my best ideas.  A good night's sleep would be nice before attempting a couple 14,000 foot peaks.  It was probably not until about 1am before my heart rate finally dropped.  I finally slept solidly from 4am to 6:30am.  Apparently that would be enough.

These are two of the easiest 14ers to summit, in terms of trail difficulty, distance and accessibility.  The trailhead is located only 3 miles from I-70.  Though it's not the greatest of dirt roads.  I regretted not waking up sooner to walk it instead, but the road provided some great views.

Torreys from the ride in

I knew that Grays is one of the most popular of the 14ers.  Still I was quite surprised to see the parking lot had more than ten cars on a Thursday.  The trailhead is located at just over 11,000 feet, so there would be 3,000 feet elevation gained.  That's no joke, especially at this altitude.

The trail started off gently enough.  I soon met up with a couple of people from Florida.  They at least did a bit more homework than me.  They had hiked a few 13ers before attempting this hike.  I would walk with them most of the way up Grays.  The trail then heads into a wide open valley with views of Grays and Torreys.  The moon was still up in the morning sky.  I watched it set over Torreys. These expansive mountain valleys just don't exist out east.  The entire trail was above timberline.  We also don't have anything of the sort out east.

From the start of the trail

Grays Peak

Morning Moon

Moon setting over Torreys

The walk out of the valley and onto the mountain provided the first challenges.  The trail became a bit steeper and the first snow and ice appeared.  It became quite frustrating.  I pulled out a bagel to eat.  I quickly realized I could not eat and hike at the same time.  It became extremely difficult to breathe.  I rested while I ate my bagel.  In many ways, this hike reminded me of swimming.  One becomes out of breath quickly if you're not careful.

The valley below

It's Winter up here

I soon met Dave and Elizabeth.  They are originally from Saratoga and Massachusetts.  That seemed to be the theme of the day.  Everybody I met were transplants.  The Denver area attracts people from all over the country.  When I reached the summit of Grays, Dave gave me a printout and took photos of me on the summit.  I remember doing that when I finished the 3500 Club peaks.

Feeling accomplished.  My first 14er

Rocky Mountain National Park in the distance

Evans and Bierstadt

Lake Dillon

Breckenridge

The wind on the summit of Grays was intense.  I estimated it to be 30-40 mph.  The temperature with the winds was definitely below freezing.  When out of the wind, it became quite comfortable.  I would estimate the temperature would be right around 50.  When I walked out and reached the trailhead, it was quite warm, no doubt, the temperature reached the upper 60s.  What a difference wind and elevation makes.

The trail from Grays to Torreys is rated Class 2.  The trail down Grays had a bit of snow to negotiate.  Supposedly, this snow remains all year.  I think this is the only reason it's rated Class 2.  I felt that the trails I hiked today are more runnable than 95% of the Escarpment Trail.  Sure enough, on my way down a few trail runners passed me.

The climb up Torreys was definitely steeper than anything I faced today, but still not bad.  There were no spots where the use of hands would be necessary. I did have to stop for about ten minutes to catch my breath.  Dave told me, "Walk slower.  Look at us.  We're slow, but we'll make it to the summit."  Advice taken.  From the summit of Torreys I could make out where I was yesterday.  I forgot the name of the mountain and kept telling people I think it was Shitka. It eventually descended to Shitcan.

The march up Torreys

Grays Peak from Torreys

Summit shot on Torreys

Overall these trails are nothing you'd see in the Catskills, the Adirondacks or the Whites.  But those mountains don't have the elevation these do.  The walk down was quite nice.  The altitude was not felt quite as much.  I met a couple guys from Miami who were heading up.  It was already 2pm.  They were only 500 feet above the parking area and were having problems with the altitude.  It looked like they were wearing mostly cotton.  I told them about the conditions and told them to turn around at 3:30 no matter where you're at.  Hopefully I won't be reading about them.

Some stats:  A little over 3,500 feet elevation gained; 9 miles total; Summit of Grays 3:00; Grays to Torreys 1:15; Torreys back to trail head 2:45; Total Time 7:00.

Not sure if PrairieDogs are found at this elevation, but they sure sounded like them.

Grays Peak

The ride out.  Leaves are changing.

9/11