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This report will cover my first two 14'er summits of Greys and Torreys on separate dates and will also be my first trip report. Both trips were solo hikes with Greys on 7/28/07 and Torreys on 9/08/07.
A brief introduction, I am 57 years old, 6'4" and 280 lbs (so for those of you that see "big guys" on the mountain, I am one of those!). We moved to Colorado in 2000 and it took a few years for me to start hiking. Starting in 2005 I began hiking some of the easier trails and gradually worked my way up to completing some of the 12k peaks. This summer I finally began to focus on completing a 14'er. My first attempt was a failed effort on Quandary in July, however; I completed Greys later that month but didn't have the energy to get Torreys at the same time which led to the second climb.
A first comment on the Steven's Gulch road, I saw several cars at the trailhead but if you are planning on trying this route, I wouldn't take a car up this road, it's not worth tearing your vehicle up.
Greys & Torreys At Sunrise
Both trips I left the trailhead at 6:20 in the morning and was rewarded with beautiful sunrises reflecting off the peaks in front of me. The climb from the trailhead over the first quarter of a mile covers about 400-500 feet, the trail then provides a nice break by leveling out as you hike along below Kelso Mountain..
The Easy Trail Along Kelso Mtn.
As you approach the turnoff for the Kelso Ridge route (at about 12,300 ft) you now can see the climb ahead of you and the "easy" part of these hikes is over. By my rough calculations from this point to either summit runs about a 15% slope the rest of the way.
Climbers Starting Kelso Ridge 9/8/07
The Climb Starts
Torreys East Face
Part way up the slope you find the sign that points to Greys Peak trail on the left or you can select the traverse across Greys face toward the Greys/Torreys saddle if you elect Torreys as your destination. Neither one of these trails has significant exposure but there are occasions where you will have a slope off to your side of 20-25 degrees.
Decision Time - Greys Left, Torreys Right
The Greys section of the trail passes by what Gerry Roach calls "Rascal Pinnacle" which I did see a couple of hikers climb the day I was there. The rest of the Greys trail consists of several layers of switchbacks to the summit. Views off the summit the day I was there were magnificent. There were 20-25 folks on the summit that day but it wasn't overly crowded.
Rascal Pinnacle Off Greys Trail
On my trip to Torreys I utilized the trail to the saddle across the face of Greys. Reaching the saddle I looked up at the final climb to Torreys summit which appeared steeper and steeper the closer I got. This final climb tested my mental focus as much as my physical condition. Upon reaching this summit I found that there were only 3 other people on the summit with me. I relaxed and ate an early lunch before starting back down. I was very cautious on the initial slope from the summit due to the loose talus on the slope. The return trip to the trailhead took 2 hr and 30 minutes. (Obviously I am no threat to those fast hikers who post some of the record times for these climbs).
The Final Ascent Up Torreys
View Back Into Steven‘s Gulch
As a brief wrap-up from a newbie for other new hikers, check the weather before undertaking your hike, leave early, be aware of your individual energy levels and capabilities. One item I have found more important than I would have thought, mental focus is probably just as critical as physical conditioning.
View Off The West Side of Greys Summit
View NW Off Torreys Summit
Great days both trips, met lot's of nice folks, completed my first two 14,ers and look forward to more.
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
Hiked Mount Elbert this summer, and would like to hike Grays and Torreys as my 2nd and perhaps 3rd 14er.
After reading your report I´m even more excited about it!
I enjoyed reading your report and really liked the pictures. I am doing the same climb this weekend. This is a nice preview.
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