Mt Gray's Hike Report

June, 2006.

Gray's Peak is 14,270 feet high, and Torrey's 14,267, with a 400-500 feet saddle between them. By comparison, Mount Whitney, the highest point in the continental US, is at 14,491 feet (McKinley is 20,000+, but it's in Alaska). Gray's and Torrey's are often described as among the most accessible 14ers in the US. We'll put that to the test.

The trailhead is a few miles east off I-70, just past the tunnel as you drive to Denver from Keystone. Very bumpy, unpaved road to the trailhead. Luckily, I had rented an SUV. I did see a car or two at the trailhead, and one inching along the road on the way back.

The trailhead is at 11,270 feet, so it's a 3,000 feet climb to the top of Gray's. High altitude along the way; I'm hoping the couple of days spent at Keystone at 9,000 feet will help. I got to the trailhead just past 6:45 am, and there were already 20 vehicles at the parking lot. Saw lots of people along the way, most younger, and most of the rest fitter, than me.

It's about 4 miles to Torrey's peak, and 3.4 miles to Gray's. The trail is rocky, lots of loose rock along the way as well. It's entirely above the timber line, so you can see large sections of it along the whole way. At about 12,000 feet, the shrubs stop. Another 1,000 feet or so, and no more grass either, just bare rock with patches of snow.

The first mile and a half or so was reasonably gentle, and then it became hard work, especially at that altitude. Saw three or four dogs along the way, running up and down the path. Many people, including me, stopped to rest every now and then. At one such stop, a couple asked if these were my first 14ers. They were from Colorado (most of the people seemed to be), had been up a few 14ers, and seemed a little surprised at meeting someone from Michigan on the trail.

The trail climbed and climbed, long, unending switchbacks. No obvious resting places; just stopped by the side for breath every now and then, letting people go by. Finally, it forked, one branch going to Gray's on the left, and the other going to Torrey's. A largish group had stopped to rest, blocking the sign at the fork, so I missed the fork. Followed a few people in front of me on to Torrey's. More people seemed to be going to Gray's.

Climbed, and climbed some more. Both peaks are rocky, covered with snow in winter, but the snow had largely melted off the trail (although the faces of the mountains had large patches here and there). Erosion has taken its toll, jagged and loose rocks covering the peaks. Could see a long way away now, few mountains behind me. Saw a few mountain goats high up on Gray's, close to the peak. Trail mostly along the side of the mountain now, so important to not get too close to the edge.

Hit a patch of snow. Many people had brought hiking poles, but a few had not in a group just before me, so I went on too. At the end of that patch, hit the saddle between the peaks, and what a surprise! The peaks are on the Continental Divide, and in front of me was a stunning vista. The Rocky Mountain range in front, a row of peaks patched with snow. Gray's and Torrey's falling away on both sides, a few mountains behind me too.

Began my way up Torrey's. Slow going, stopping more frequently now. Frequent switchbacks, rocky. Finally make it to the top, at about 10:20. Small area at the top. About ten people there. See a couple with a dog I'd seen earlier. The dog is still running around. They tell me he will crash out for the rest of the day when they get back to the car.

Fantastic view from the top. Never seen anything like it before. It's a sunny day, just a few clouds here and there. Mountains on all sides, couple of lakes here and there, a few goats in the distance. I only have a cheap disposable camera, so we'll see if the pictures turn out.

A couple of people clamber up to Torrey's the hard way, from another ridge, ice picks in hand, to applause from some of the people there. Some of the people coming up the saddle I'd seen earlier on the trail. While I was struggling up one peak, they had made it to both Gray's and Torrey's.

Sit there for about 15 minutes, then, since I have plenty of time, decide to do Gray's as well. Back down the saddle, and then up Gray's. Now it's real work, body is tired, and I'm stopping and starting like a car in New York at rush hour. A few people going back and forth between the peaks. See a woman in her 60s coming coming down Gray's; had seen her earlier on the trail.

At about noon, clamber up to the peak of Gray's. See a jaunty young man whom I'd seen on Torrey's earlier. He asks if these are my first 14ers, and when I answer in the affirmative, says "That's only 50 more to go in Colorado". He says in spring he and his friends climb up some of the peaks we see and ski down them. Some people are insane.

More gorgeous views from Gray's. No words to describe it. I look around as I sit and catch my breath. The climb and the sights have both left me breathless. Fortunately, the altitude itself hasn't been too much of a problem. Felt worse that first morning at Keystone. There is a circular pile of rocks, and a man lies down in it. Some other people inform him that's that's where everyone "goes" (no trees on the entire trail!). He jumps up with more alacrity than you expect from someone who has just done a hard climb.

Sit there for about 15 minutes, and then begin the climb down. Coming down is much more work than I had hoped it would be. I'm tired by now, there are lots of loose rocks, and it seems a lot steeper than it did on the way up. Got to watch where I put every step. Slow going. Lots of people pass me on the way down; other people seem much surer about their footing.

Get down foot by foot. Interminable. Stop every now and then; it's a strain on the legs and the feet. After an hour and a half or so, finally hit a flattish part of the trail, and it's a big relief to walk normally again. About a half hour of that, and it's back to descending again, with the loose rocks. Sit for about 15 minutes on a rock. Someone passing by assures me the trailhead is close. Finally get up and drag my weary body down to the trailhead. Get to the car at 3 o'clock. It's been a long day, but I'm suddenly feeling much better.

Oh, one final note. On this hike, you could see far ahead and behind on the trail all the way. Also, there were dozens of people on the trail. Even I couldn't have got lost.