Grays Peak Trip Report 07/17/2007

Peak(s):	Grays Peak - 14,275 feet Torreys Peak - 14,272 feet
Date Posted:	07/17/2007
Date Climbed:	07/15/2007
Author:	mtnmissy

Grays/Torreys, Standard Route
My first time posting a trip report, and these are my first two 14ers We snagged a sweet camping spot and got to bed relatively early to get up at about 5:30am the next day. Or was it 5am? I have no clue - it was still dark, that's all I know. Campsite We got up, had some coffee and food, packed away everything in the car and got ready to hit the trail, which we were all on by 6:15am. Gear included lots of food, windbreaker/rain jacket, a full camelback and Nalgene of water, first aid, GPS, a camera, and other important stuff you take with you. One our way up to Gray's summit Not going to say it was easy, immediately I was having to take stops more frequently than on all the other hikes we have been on - the highest Dave and I have ever been on a hike was a summit of 9,000 feet. Here we are, starting off at above 11k. Within the first mile, we climbed 1,000 feet, and it was hard in the beginning. I took about 15 steps, stopped to take a sip of water for 5 seconds then was back on my way. This was my groove the whole way - once I got it down, I felt like we flew up there. I'm in much, much better shape than I thought. We made it up to the top of Gray's Peak in the average amount of time of 3 hours from the trailhead. Me and Dave "Chicalorado" at the summit of Grays. Torreys in middle of us. I cried when I got to the top. I wasn't bawling, but behind my sunglasses, tears fell. Summiting my first 14er has been one of the best feelings and accomplishments in the world that I have felt in my lifetime. Truly an amazing feeling - I guess words escape me but tears certainly don't. View - top of Gray's Keystone and Lake Dillon in the distance Mountains go on forever... We stayed at the top for about a half hour on top of Gray's, met some people around us and took some pictures. Ate and drank more water to replenish our bodies. Then, we were well on our way down Gray's Peak to the saddle. Heading down Grays to climb up Torreys... Me with Kelso Mountain in the background People on the snow are dwarfed by the mountain We made it up to Torrey's half hour after we got to the saddle. There were a lot less people on Torrey's Peak than Gray's, and we chilled out a little bit longer here before heading back. View was spectacular. Me and Dave "Chicalorado"at the summit of Torreys The group on Torrey's Peak Daisy resting View On way down Torreys Everything from here on out is pretty easy. Our descent ended with a beer at the car, some BeauJoe's pizza and beer in Idaho Springs... and a craving to do more! Next - Mt. Elbert? Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Grays/Torreys, Standard Route

My first time posting a trip report, and these are my first two 14ers

We snagged a sweet camping spot and got to bed relatively early to get up at about 5:30am the next day. Or was it 5am? I have no clue - it was still dark, that's all I know.

Campsite

We got up, had some coffee and food, packed away everything in the car and got ready to hit the trail, which we were all on by 6:15am. Gear included lots of food, windbreaker/rain jacket, a full camelback and Nalgene of water, first aid, GPS, a camera, and other important stuff you take with you.

One our way up to Gray's summit

Not going to say it was easy, immediately I was having to take stops more frequently than on all the other hikes we have been on - the highest Dave and I have ever been on a hike was a summit of 9,000 feet. Here we are, starting off at above 11k. Within the first mile, we climbed 1,000 feet, and it was hard in the beginning. I took about 15 steps, stopped to take a sip of water for 5 seconds then was back on my way. This was my groove the whole way - once I got it down, I felt like we flew up there. I'm in much, much better shape than I thought. We made it up to the top of Gray's Peak in the average amount of time of 3 hours from the trailhead.

Me and Dave "Chicalorado" at the summit of Grays. Torreys in middle of us.

I cried when I got to the top. I wasn't bawling, but behind my sunglasses, tears fell. Summiting my first 14er has been one of the best feelings and accomplishments in the world that I have felt in my lifetime. Truly an amazing feeling - I guess words escape me but tears certainly don't.

View - top of Gray's

Keystone and Lake Dillon in the distance

Mountains go on forever...

We stayed at the top for about a half hour on top of Gray's, met some people around us and took some pictures. Ate and drank more water to replenish our bodies. Then, we were well on our way down Gray's Peak to the saddle.

Heading down Grays to climb up Torreys...

Me with Kelso Mountain in the background

People on the snow are dwarfed by the mountain

We made it up to Torrey's half hour after we got to the saddle. There were a lot less people on Torrey's Peak than Gray's, and we chilled out a little bit longer here before heading back. View was spectacular.

Me and Dave "Chicalorado"at the summit of Torreys

The group on Torrey's Peak

Daisy resting

View

On way down Torreys

Everything from here on out is pretty easy.

Our descent ended with a beer at the car, some BeauJoe's pizza and beer in Idaho Springs... and a craving to do more!

Next - Mt. Elbert?

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

Aspen Summit	Great TR! 7/20/2007 5:30pm Hey i looked like Daisy after reaching the summit -- napping my time away Great trip report! These 2 peaks are my most climbed mountains...more like jogging up and running down. Knight
5280Fotos	Good Trail Report 7/23/2007 5:11am Missy- Thanks for your emails. Good Trail Report. You guys look & sound as though you had a great time. Afterwards I had a beer and cookies... You guys did it right by having beer & pizza in Idaho Springs. Bobbie T.
mtn_climber1	Good Times 11/30/2010 5:28pm Looking forward to the next of many more 14ers I've allready done & new ones to come. Great Posting!
14ergirl	Good Job 11/30/2010 5:28pm I think I felt the same way you did when I climbed my first 14er. Don't just climb 14ers though, the 13ers are majestic as well! Well done and good luck with future climbs, they are all unique!
Greg777	Grrrreat 11/30/2010 5:28pm Great TR and nice pictures to complement the report...thanks. I'm going up Friday the 27th.
Aubrey	Beau Jo's and beer 11/30/2010 5:28pm Congrats! Great job. And it looks like you had a great time. I love how you added the icing on the cake: Beau Jo's and beer! That's what we always do - post-hike - in that area of the state.
mtnbikir	Hey! 11/30/2010 5:28pm I totally missed your trail report! Thanks for the pics of Daizy the dawg. I'll have ta post some more, and per the user above I have to tell you guys about the trips I've been on since.. i.e. the 13ers with no folks!.. need to turn you guys on to my secret Backpack Place. See you all soon. Andy
Chicalorado	Nice 2/5/2011 12:22am Incredible photos as always. Great first time trip report. Should be the first of several more to follow.

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