{"id":3132,"date":"2014-07-21T11:21:33","date_gmt":"2014-07-21T04:21:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/checkconnect.net\/blog\/?p=3132"},"modified":"2015-08-30T23:42:21","modified_gmt":"2015-08-30T16:42:21","slug":"grays-and-torreys-combo-standard-route","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/checkconnect.net\/blog\/grays-and-torreys-combo-standard-route\/","title":{"rendered":"Grays and Torreys Combo (Standard Route)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Distance: 8.52 miles\u00a0(out and back)\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0Elevation Gain: 3,640 ft (total gain)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Max Elevation:\u00a014,278 ft \u00a0<\/strong>Min. Elevation:\u00a011,225 ft<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"GraysTorreysGPS\"<\/a><\/p>\n

A couple of factors made us get into the X-terra at midnight, drive out to the Grays-Torreys trail-head, and start hiking to the summits at 2 in the morning. \u00a0For one thing, Grays and Torreys are argued to be the most popular climbs in Colorado. \u00a0They are easy to access from the major metro areas of Colorado (Denver, Boulder, and Colorado Springs) and are just off I-70. \u00a0They are also relatively easy climbs and afford amazing views. \u00a0Because of this there can be throngs of people in a veritable conga line all the way up. \u00a0So there was that.<\/p>\n

We also wanted to watch the sunrise at least once from a 14er. So why not from the top of Grays? \u00a0The added bonus of missing the crowds just made it that much sweeter. \u00a0And so there we were at 2 am with headlamps and bleary eyes staring off into the darkness. \u00a0We started officially at 2:15 am.<\/p>\n

Even though it’s summer here it can still be chilly in the mountains, and since the trail-head starts at around 11,225 ft. we were wearing a few layers, and our breath was clearly visible in the light of our lamps. \u00a0Beginning the hike we just set our lamps to low red light and admired the stars, beauty, and stillness of the night. We made quick work of the willows and even quicker work of the open area in the basin before the real climbing began. \u00a0Below are some pictures from our night hiking.<\/p>\n

\"Grays_Torreys_small_006\"<\/a> \"Grays_Torreys_small_009\"<\/a> \"Grays_Torreys_small_013\"<\/a> \"Grays_Torreys_small_014\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Around mile 2.5 the most challenging part of the hike begins. \u00a0The trail gains\u00a0roughly 1,180 ft. in 1 mile. \u00a0It’s not the Manitou Incline or anything, but it is steep, and the rock can be loose. \u00a0After this section (2.5 – 3.5 miles into the hike) you are at about 14,000 ft. and are nearly there. \u00a0The summit of Grays sneaks up on you quickly and you think, “Wow, I’m here already?”<\/p>\n

When we arrived on Grays’ summit it was roughly 5:10 am. \u00a0There was a faint glow of light to the east as the sun hinted that it was ready to rise. \u00a0We cuddled on the peak for warmth and to hide from the wind as we waited for Sol to make his appearance. \u00a0Sadly, it was a little chilly and we decided we’d seen enough of the sunrise for now — we needed to move. \u00a0We began the 600 foot down climb into the saddle and towards Torreys. \u00a0Below are a few images from the predawn Grays summit.<\/p>\n

\"Grays_Torreys_small_025\"<\/a> \"Grays_Torreys_small_026\"<\/a> \"Grays_Torreys_small_027\"<\/a> \"Grays_Torreys_small_037\"<\/a><\/p>\n

As we headed down the saddle between Grays and Torreys we excitedly remembered\u00a0throwing some hand warmers in the packs.\u00a0The wind wasn’t horrible, but it was enough when combined with the temps in the mid-30s, to chill our fingers even with light gloves. \u00a0Towards the trough of the saddle we looked to our right and saw the sun for the first time. \u00a0It looked like a ball of fire glowing in the dawn. \u00a0Here are a couple images of that scene.<\/p>\n

\"Grays_Torreys_small_069\"<\/a> \"Grays_Torreys_small_072\"<\/a><\/p>\n

As we crossed the saddle the light was amazing. \u00a0The pink glow from the sunrise reflected off the snow, the rock, and even the plants to make all of nature appear at once similar and different than we’d ever seen it before. \u00a0We stopped frequently on our way up Torreys to admire the beauty all around us. \u00a0Below are a few pictures from that hike up Torreys.<\/p>\n

\"Grays_Torreys_Pan_small_001\"<\/a> \"Grays_Torreys_small_087\"<\/a> \"Grays_Torreys_small_092\"<\/a><\/p>\n

As we continued to head up Torreys we were just having too much fun not to take a few more pictures of the splendid scenery around us. \u00a0Here are a few more pictures from about midway up Torreys.<\/p>\n

\"Grays_Torreys_small_098\"<\/a> \"Grays_Torreys_small_103\"<\/a> \"Grays_Torreys_small_114\"<\/a> \"Grays_Torreys_small_116\"<\/a><\/p>\n

And there we stood\u00a0on the summit of Torreys. We had officially completed our first double summit. \u00a0It was very different from the Grays summit as it was much smaller. \u00a0When\u00a0on Grays gazing\u00a0north, Torreys blocks some of the view of the Front Range, but on Torreys there is nothing north to block the view. \u00a0It was quite amazing, and we were alone and had the summit to ourselves. \u00a0Well, almost to ourselves. \u00a0As we ate our peanut butter and jelly sandwiches a small ground squirrel kept running out at us and squeaking. \u00a0We interpreted this squeaking as, “Give me food.” \u00a0We replied that we were sorry, but it is illegal to feed wild animals. \u00a0He or she was very disappointed.<\/p>\n

We walked around the summit of Torreys for a while and even went over to look at Kelso Ridge,\u00a0a class 3 climb to the summit of Torreys\u00a0which is on our list of goals for the summer. \u00a0And we also shot a video on the summit. \u00a0Below are some images and the video from Torreys.<\/p>\n

<\/center>https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=hlWRKqFaEOM<\/p>\n

\"Grays_Torreys_small_132\"<\/a> \"Grays_Torreys_small_136\"<\/a> \"Grays_Torreys_small_145\"<\/a>\"Grays_Torreys_small_147\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Below are images of Kelso Ridge. \u00a0The White Wall and Knife Edge are easily visible.<\/p>\n

\"Grays_Torreys_small_148\"<\/a> \"Grays_Torreys_small_152\"<\/a><\/p>\n

After hanging out on Torreys for about 30 minutes we decided to start climbing back down towards the car. \u00a0The route to get back down cuts from the middle of the saddle back across the northeast face of Grays and meets back up with the main trail. \u00a0There is a patch of snow and ice on the traverse, but it is very doable in hiking boots or even good grippy trail running shoes. \u00a0Below is a picture of the traverse and an image (taken from Torreys)\u00a0showing the main trail up to Grays (green), the traverse across from the saddle (red), and the route across the saddle (blue).<\/p>\n

\"Grays_Torreys_small_183\"<\/a> \"Routes<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Once across and back on the main trail we noticed that there were quite a few climbers coming up. \u00a0In fact, we played a game on who could guess the number of climbers we’d pass on the way down. \u00a0Allyson won with a guess of 800. \u00a0We counted 710 climbers on the way down, and we started counting pretty late! \u00a0That must have been a busy summit later in the day. \u00a0It was crazy to think we were the only ones up there and by the time we came down there were over 700 people vying for space up there.<\/p>\n

As we continued to go down we noticed something that was impossible to see in the dark of night, flowers! \u00a0They were everywhere. \u00a0The heavy rains we have been getting has made this a great year for wild flowers and the basin of Grays and Torreys is no exception. \u00a0Pretty much every type of flower we have ever seen in Colorado and beyond was represented. \u00a0It was quite lovely. \u00a0Below are a few images of flowers for your viewing pleasure.<\/p>\n

\"Grays_Torreys_small_179\"<\/a> \"Grays_Torreys_small_199\"<\/a> \"Grays_Torreys_small_209\"<\/a> \"Grays_Torreys_small_219\"<\/a><\/p>\n

And after dodging 710+ people climbing up, as we tried to climb down, we were finally back at the parking lot. \u00a0It was a beautiful day and still morning! \u00a0We planned on heading back towards Denver and stopping to get breakfast. \u00a0All in all a great start to the day. \u00a0And even if we were pretty tired, it was well worth it!<\/p>\n

Just a couple notes on this hike.<\/p>\n

First, actually getting to the Grays trail-head isn’t as easy as some people make it sound. \u00a0We climbed Grays last year and the dirt road up to the trail-head was rough at one point, but this year after all the rain it is pretty gnarly. \u00a0The X-terra was definitely using that 4-wheel drive and the clearance was just barely enough to get over some of those ruts. \u00a0Coming down later we saw a Subaru stuck and trying to reverse out of this rough area. \u00a0If you plan to drive up make sure you have a good vehicle with 4-wheel drive and decent\u00a0clearance.<\/p>\n

Second, many people seem nervous about where the trail splits, one path going to Torreys the other to Grays. \u00a0This occurs once you are well into the hike and there is a post in the ground saying “Stay on the Trail.” \u00a0But if you look at the post a little closer there is a note written in permanent marker that says “Grays” with an arrow pointing to the left. \u00a0This is where you want to turn left unless you want to go to Torreys first.<\/p>\n