Grays Peak Trip Report 08/19/2011

Peak(s):	Grays Peak - 14,275 feet
Date Posted:	08/19/2011
Date Climbed:	08/19/2011
Author:	Beekman

Grays and Torreys Peak combo- First 14er
I have drove to the top of Pike's Peak and Mt. Evens, and climber Long's when I was 19, so now 15 years later I am considering this my first 14er. I set off with four friends at 4am, this is the first and second fourteener for them as well. We reached the trail at 5:27am, the road was a little washed out and not recommended for a 2WD. We decided to go on Friday to avoid the weekend crowds, but were greeted by 3 other groups in the parking lot leaving the same time we were, and several more already on the trail. I am not posting many pictures, because even though we took several 100 many of them are to similar to ones already posted. After a breakfast burrito (thanks to my wife) and a banana we started up the trail. The sky was clear and the moon provided ample light for the start of the hike. The sun started to come up just as we came out of the gulch and had our first views of Grays and then Torreys, they look much larger in person than they do in the pictures. As we continued out climb with several breaks we were passed sever times, first by a couple guys from Texas, then and little girl and older man. This wasn't a race we were just trying to make it to the top. Clouds started to roll in, but they looked harmless. After we passed 13,000 the elevation seemed to creep by, having to break about every 100 foot we rose in elevation. My heart was pounding and lungs burning, but no other affects from the altitude. Then we made it to the summit of our first 14er. After 5 hours. We were really debating if we could make Torrey, it doesn't look that far away, but once you start downhill it's hard to start up again. After about an hour on the peak some snacks and pictures we decided we could do Torreys. Made it in another hour. Looking back at Grays Peak there were probably 20 people on the summit now. Torreys Peak had maybe another 20 people. In all we saw about 100 people hiking. On the way down my feet started to ache and my muscles were seriously fatigued, I need to get in better shape. It was three hours back down, could have made it much quicker if we were less fatigued and sore, back on the road at 3pm. Picked up a couple people that parked at the highway and needed a ride down after the hike. It was amazing and will do it again..... just not today. Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Grays and Torreys Peak combo- First 14er

I have drove to the top of Pike's Peak and Mt. Evens, and climber Long's when I was 19, so now 15 years later I am considering this my first 14er. I set off with four friends at 4am, this is the first and second fourteener for them as well. We reached the trail at 5:27am, the road was a little washed out and not recommended for a 2WD. We decided to go on Friday to avoid the weekend crowds, but were greeted by 3 other groups in the parking lot leaving the same time we were, and several more already on the trail.

I am not posting many pictures, because even though we took several 100 many of them are to similar to ones already posted.

After a breakfast burrito (thanks to my wife) and a banana we started up the trail. The sky was clear and the moon provided ample light for the start of the hike. The sun started to come up just as we came out of the gulch and had our first views of Grays and then Torreys, they look much larger in person than they do in the pictures.

As we continued out climb with several breaks we were passed sever times, first by a couple guys from Texas, then and little girl and older man. This wasn't a race we were just trying to make it to the top. Clouds started to roll in, but they looked harmless.

After we passed 13,000 the elevation seemed to creep by, having to break about every 100 foot we rose in elevation. My heart was pounding and lungs burning, but no other affects from the altitude. Then we made it to the summit of our first 14er. After 5 hours.

We were really debating if we could make Torrey, it doesn't look that far away, but once you start downhill it's hard to start up again. After about an hour on the peak some snacks and pictures we decided we could do Torreys. Made it in another hour.

Looking back at Grays Peak there were probably 20 people on the summit now. Torreys Peak had maybe another 20 people. In all we saw about 100 people hiking. On the way down my feet started to ache and my muscles were seriously fatigued, I need to get in better shape. It was three hours back down, could have made it much quicker if we were less fatigued and sore, back on the road at 3pm.

Picked up a couple people that parked at the highway and needed a ride down after the hike.

It was amazing and will do it again..... just not today.

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

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