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We did Grays and Torreys yesterday and it was a great hike! The road to the trail head was virtually snow free all the way up to the trail head, but the road was dicey with man sized gullies and potholes that will jar your bones. You could probably do it in a 2wd car if you dont mind scrapping noises here and there.
The trail head begins over a bridge and the not so steep trail is very easy to see all the way up to the ridge of Grays.
We hiked in the night before our climb, about two miles and over 12,000 ft, and camped right before the trail starts up the ridge line of Grays. Being above tree line lent for a very windy night. Better to camp in the gulch.
The hike up to Grays was short from where we camped, maybe two miles, and not too steep. We were surpised we were at the summit so quickly. We even took a little bit of a longer route, going too far to the left after missing the trail that cuts to the right towards the saddle with Torreys. The summit is somewhat small but the views were great.
From here the route/ridge to Torreys looks a little rough, but its really not too bad at all. We followed the obvious, if not hair raising ridge down the saddle and up Torreys ridge to summit. The ridge up Torreys was steep but not too bad. The weather was great so we lingered on the summit for a good 30 min. The main route follows the saddle half way and then the trail veres left 3/4 of the way across the saddle and joins up with the original Grays trail. We however couldn't resist butt sliding down the saddle trough. It was steep and we got some good speed going. If the snow is still there I highly recomend it!! The hike back sucked though because we missed the trail once again (you'ld think this was our first time at the rodeo) the correct trail follows closely near the bottum of the Gulch, the wrong trail leads higher up and leads to bushwacking downhill throw thick brush. Not fun.
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We didnt use snow shoes and were fine. We took them to base camp but didnt take them on the summit hike. The snow was either avoidable or hard packed. Have fun!
I‘m looking at heading up this Thursday, do you think a dog could make it in the current conditions? Also, I have a little civic that would certainly be scrapping is there somewhere to park a little lower? I would like to camp the night before as well, is there camping available or just find your own spot off the trail? Any problems leaving your gear?
We saw 3 dogs on the trail and they all looked happy if not slightly annoyed by their slower owners
You might find the road too dicey for a civic...and the road gets bad almost as soon as you turn off the highway. Add 3+ hard miles each way if your car cant take the road.
You can camp anywhere in the Gulch. If you go all the way to the end of the Gulch, off trail to the right, just below the first pitch up, there are two small lakes you can camp by that are kind of neat.
If you are looking for an easier trail head my friend Molly and I will be hiking Lincoln, Democrat, and Bros this thur, camping at Kite Lake Wed night. Feel free to join us, we‘re normal.
Thanks for the info and the offer. 3 extra hard miles is not what I was looking for. I will probably try an alternate hike. I‘m actually from KC and am driving out Thursday to hike Friday so my previous message was incorrect or I would take you up on your offer. I‘ll do some more research. Enjoy your hike!
Its a haul from the trail head, but not a hard hike. If you‘re in good shape at altitude it shouldnt take more that 4 hours. Have fun!
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