Earlier this month my friend Chelsea and I summitted Grays Peak, one of Colorado’s most popular Fourteeners, or a mountain rising over 14,000 feet.
Colorado has anywhere from 52 to 58 such peaks, depending on who you ask. Certain criteria determine what constitutes as a 14er. Obviously, criteria #1 is a peak must exceed 14,000 feet…BUT a 14er point must also “rise at least 300 feet above the saddle that connects it to the nearest 14er peak (if another exists nearby),” according to www.colorado.com. Take your pick!
I’ve hiked several 14ers before—Bierstadt, Oxford and Belford, and the four mountains known collectively as DECAMERON—but it’s been a few years since I hiked my last one. Chelsea has climbed 14ers as well, and it was her suggestion we climb at least one this summer.
For anyone interested in climbing a 14er, know that you must summit well before noon, to avoid lightning from afternoon thunderstorms. Attempting a 14er entails being awake and on the road before the sun is up. For convenience and time, Chelsea and I chose the extremely popular Grays and Torreys peaks for their accessibility on I-70. Connected by a saddle, you can easily “bag” both mountains in a day; G and T are often the first 14ers for lots of folks. Categorized as Class 2 peaks, the main trail is steep but not technical, or entails no real climbing or scrambling. For those who have the experience and proper gear, jagged Kelso Ridge along the northeastern flank of Torreys is your option.
Chelsea and I arrived at the trailhead around 7 AM. Due to the peaks’ proximity to Denver and the Front Range urban corridor, G and T are heavily trafficked 14ers; don’t expect any true wilderness solitude. To avoid the thickest crowds, go on a week day if possible. Chelsea and I went on a Monday, and while there were plenty of folks, it was nothing like when I climbed Bierstadt (on a Saturday, to be fair), a never ending line of folks akin to a pilgrimage.
The Grays Peak National Recreation Trail is an out and back route, 8 miles round trip, with a 3000 ft. ascent. The trail starts just a little below tree line. From the trailhead the path winds southwest along a narrow alpine valley. No route finding is required due to the high traffic, and how visible the trail zig zags along the northeastern face of Grays. The trail gains altitude gradually for the first 2 miles or so, before the steeper ascent begins. Partially up Grays the trail forks, so you have the choice of summiting Torreys first, then crossing the .75 mile saddle to top Grays, or vice versa. Chelsea and I chose to ascend Grays.
The sun had not yet crested the mountains, but already a few folks who had summitted G and T passed us on their way back to the trailhead. Chelsea and I took our time, taking pics and just marveling at the scenery. For being such a popular trail, I was surprised, and relieved, by how pristine the surroundings looked; I didn’t observe any visible trash or vandalism.
Both of us having grown up in Colorado, being up at elevation normally doesn’t give us any problems. However, the affects of less oxygen the higher you go can lead to altitude sickness for some. Side effects: nausea, headache, mental disorientation, physical weakness, and in serious cases, swelling of the brain. Altitude sickness is fickle as some folks, with little acclimatization, can climb a 14er with no problem. Others, despite their fitness level or being a Colorado local, can fall ill. First off, be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks, wear sunscreen and a hat: at higher altitudes you dehydrate much faster. If you begin to feel the affects of altitude sickness, turning back is the best option. Listen to your body.
As we continued our climb, we saw and heard pikas, extremely adorable little mammals that are closely related to rabbits. As the trail became steeper, we viewed several mountain goats just off the trail. As neat as it is to see these animals up close, it is rather disheartening in how tame these creatures are, used to constant human presence in the area. No doubt some folks are feeding them, hence their entirely casual demeanor; they showed zero fear or aversion to us. 🙁 Sad. So much for wildlife being wild…
We gained the top of Grays around 10:30 AM. Throughout the ascent we kept a watchful eye on the atmosphere, for any hints of impending thunderstorms. Lucky for us, the sky was clear, save for solitary fast moving cottonball clouds.
As expected, views from a 14er never disappoint. Visible to the southeast is the unmistakable profile of fellow 14er Pikes Peak, while to the west one can just barely make out Mt. Holy Cross. They were several dozen folks on Grays’ mountaintop, taking pics and enjoying snacks. It was cool up top with a slight breeze but no gale force winds; I honestly thought it’d be much cooler. The night before I remembered to bring paper and sharpie, so I could write a sign for us to proclaim our summitting of 14, 270 ft. 🙂
After a few more minutes on the crest, we began our descent. We decided to save Torreys for another day, so we could hike along with more friends; another adventure to look forward to! 🙂 Descending was easy, the sky remained clear, and the sun had warmed the alpine valley below.
As Chelsea and approached the trailhead, I heard someone behind us calling my name. Turning around, I saw my cousin Nate and his friend running down the trail, having just climbed and descended Torreys via Kelso Ridge. I’d told Chelsea how my cousins Nate and Doug love to climb G and T and have done so multiple times…and sure enough, here was one of them. 🙂 Nate, it was great to see you!
In fact, it was Nate who took me snowshoeing in December 2016 up Forest Road 189, the dirt road that leads to the trailhead. We parked at the lot just off Highway exit 221, and winded our way a few miles up the snow packed road. Unlike summer, we only saw a few folks out. The views were incredible, and if you’re looking for solitude, winter is the time to go check out this area. If you were wondering: G and T can be summitted in winter IF you have the proper gear (i.e., ice axe, spikes) AND experience.
Chelsea and I arrived back at my car just before 1 PM, and for lunch we headed to Dillon. At Red Mountain Grill we both feasted on taco salads, before heading home. Sure, I felt a little tired, but honestly, afterwards I felt pretty good. I wasn’t exhausted at all, like I was after climbing Belford and Oxford. Running has certainly improved my endurance and lung capacity, so this 14er did not feel strenuous to me or Chelsea, who is quite the dedicated runner as well, and a true Colorado mountain girl. 🙂 For those interested in hiking their first 14er, I recommend Grays. The trail is well marked and no scrambling is involved. As stated earlier, you won’t find any true solitude at these peaks, but the views and experience are worth the trek. 🙂
Getting There: From Denver, head west on Interstate 70 for 53 miles, then take the Bakerville Exit, #221. A four mile dirt road, Forest Road 189, winds south to the trailhead. This road is pretty steep and especially rough on low clearance vehicles; I was glad I took my Jeep Wrangler. Parking at the trailhead fills up fast and early! I parked on the side of the road about a quarter mile from the main parking area. Some folks choose to park at the dirt lot just off the exit and hike in from there. The earlier you get there, the less hassle and less crowds.
~LMC
