Grays and Torrey parking tickets
Forum rules
- This is a mountaineering forum, so please keep your posts on-topic. Posts do not all have to be related to the 14ers but should at least be mountaineering-related.
- Personal attacks and confrontational behavior will result in removal from the forum at the discretion of the administrators.
- Do not use this forum to advertise, sell photos or other products or promote a commercial website.
- Posts will be removed at the discretion of the site administrator or moderator(s), including: Troll posts, posts pushing political views or religious beliefs, and posts with the purpose of instigating conflict within the forum.
- Carl
- Posts: 1800
- Joined: 5/20/2007
- 14ers: 58 58
- 13ers: 30
- Trip Reports (32)
Re: Grays and Torrey parking tickets
I was parked roughly 1.7 miles from the bottom in May, with USFS land adjacent, didn't see any other vehicles or people that day, not blocking the road by any stretch of the imagination, and was pretty surprised to see the ticket when I got back (around $90). Based on the signage present at the time directing motorist to stay on the road and not block it, seems like an entrapment argument was warranted. Disappointing the Sheriff is ticketing everyone, instead of just those that block the road. My friends split the ticket with me so I decided it wasn't worth going to Georgetown to sit in the queue for a couple hours on my court date to actually schedule a date for a hearing. I left a message with the sergeants desk at the Clear Creek Sheriff a couple weeks ago and was pleased they did take the time to call me back. The gentlemen I spoke with confirmed that they will be ticketing anyone with a tire on the road surface between the bottom lot and the main trailhead 3 miles up. He recognized they do not have authority to write tickets for people parked on USFS land adjacent the road; it's unfortunate we're being forced to park on the tundra to avoid tickets. I asked about Grizzly Gulch and he said that they could write tickets for anyone parked on that road as well since it's a County road, though in practice that's less of an issue. We spoke about the lot at the bottom of the road along I70 since I noted that this lot is private property. For what it's worth, he said the owner doesn't care if folks continue to park there.
Again, I'm 100% on board with ticketing people who park in an area where there isn't enough room left for 2 way traffic. SAR needs access and that doesn't mean just a single lane. I would love to see an attempt to accomplish this with signage; for example, no parking signs in certain areas or a sign at the bottom that indicates that parking is only allowed where expressly signed. At least give it a shot before shutting down parking along the entire stretch and forcing folks to park in the vegetation or walk from the bottom. If CFI or another group is able to open a dialogue with the Sheriff I'd be happy to volunteer to help work on solutions. I reached out to the USFS but they said it's a Sheriff issue.
Again, I'm 100% on board with ticketing people who park in an area where there isn't enough room left for 2 way traffic. SAR needs access and that doesn't mean just a single lane. I would love to see an attempt to accomplish this with signage; for example, no parking signs in certain areas or a sign at the bottom that indicates that parking is only allowed where expressly signed. At least give it a shot before shutting down parking along the entire stretch and forcing folks to park in the vegetation or walk from the bottom. If CFI or another group is able to open a dialogue with the Sheriff I'd be happy to volunteer to help work on solutions. I reached out to the USFS but they said it's a Sheriff issue.
- montanahiker
- Posts: 271
- Joined: 8/30/2015
- 14ers: 38
- 13ers: 185
- Trip Reports (0)
Re: Grays and Torrey parking tickets
I guess I'll be extending my economic boycott that started when they closed all roads to outsiders last year. There are plenty of better breweries, restaurants and gas stations in neighboring counties.John Landers wrote: ↑Mon Jul 05, 2021 10:03 pm As this appears to be a money grab by Clear Creek county, one option is to not spend any money in the county at restaurants, gas stations, etc.
There's more to life than 14ers. There are 13ers.
- lordhelmut
- Posts: 2310
- Joined: 2/24/2006
- 14ers: 50 21 5
- 13ers: 300 60 1
- Trip Reports (73)
- Contact:
Re: Grays and Torrey parking tickets
Ticketing everyone up Grizzly Gulch would suck and significantly make the North side of Torreys less appealing to ski.Carl wrote: ↑Wed Jul 07, 2021 10:49 am I was parked roughly 1.7 miles from the bottom in May, with USFS land adjacent, didn't see any other vehicles or people that day, not blocking the road by any stretch of the imagination, and was pretty surprised to see the ticket when I got back (around $90). Based on the signage present at the time directing motorist to stay on the road and not block it, seems like an entrapment argument was warranted. Disappointing the Sheriff is ticketing everyone, instead of just those that block the road. My friends split the ticket with me so I decided it wasn't worth going to Georgetown to sit in the queue for a couple hours on my court date to actually schedule a date for a hearing. I left a message with the sergeants desk at the Clear Creek Sheriff a couple weeks ago and was pleased they did take the time to call me back. The gentlemen I spoke with confirmed that they will be ticketing anyone with a tire on the road surface between the bottom lot and the main trailhead 3 miles up. He recognized they do not have authority to write tickets for people parked on USFS land adjacent the road; it's unfortunate we're being forced to park on the tundra to avoid tickets. I asked about Grizzly Gulch and he said that they could write tickets for anyone parked on that road as well since it's a County road, though in practice that's less of an issue. We spoke about the lot at the bottom of the road along I70 since I noted that this lot is private property. For what it's worth, he said the owner doesn't care if folks continue to park there.
Again, I'm 100% on board with ticketing people who park in an area where there isn't enough room left for 2 way traffic. SAR needs access and that doesn't mean just a single lane. I would love to see an attempt to accomplish this with signage; for example, no parking signs in certain areas or a sign at the bottom that indicates that parking is only allowed where expressly signed. At least give it a shot before shutting down parking along the entire stretch and forcing folks to park in the vegetation or walk from the bottom. If CFI or another group is able to open a dialogue with the Sheriff I'd be happy to volunteer to help work on solutions. I reached out to the USFS but they said it's a Sheriff issue.
- climbingcue
- Posts: 994
- Joined: 10/11/2011
- 14ers: 58 8 27
- 13ers: 319 23 11
- Trip Reports (0)
Re: Grays and Torrey parking tickets
I avoid anything close to Denver, too many people. Lucky both of those peaks are lame. The mass ticket is a great reason to never visit that area and keep my money away from that county. It won’t hurt them one bit, there will be thousands of people from the front range hiking it every day the weather is good. They could ticket one of those people and the trailhead would still be full.montanahiker wrote: ↑Wed Jul 07, 2021 11:31 am I guess I'll be extending my economic boycott that started when they closed all roads to outsiders last year. There are plenty of better breweries, restaurants and gas stations in neighboring counties.
Consecutive months with at least one 13er or 14er, 73 months
- 12ersRule
- Posts: 2268
- Joined: 6/18/2007
- 14ers: 58
- 13ers: 157
- Trip Reports (4)
Re: Grays and Torrey parking tickets
Yes, blame Tommyknocker because the CCC gov't officials suck.montanahiker wrote: ↑Wed Jul 07, 2021 11:31 amI guess I'll be extending my economic boycott that started when they closed all roads to outsiders last year. There are plenty of better breweries, restaurants and gas stations in neighboring counties.John Landers wrote: ↑Mon Jul 05, 2021 10:03 pm As this appears to be a money grab by Clear Creek county, one option is to not spend any money in the county at restaurants, gas stations, etc.
- Matt
- Posts: 2671
- Joined: 7/26/2005
- 14ers: 58
- 13ers: 208
- Trip Reports (32)
Re: Grays and Torrey parking tickets
I blame Tommyknocker for mediocre beers. I haven't been back since Westbound and Down opened.12ersRule wrote: ↑Wed Jul 07, 2021 12:17 pmYes, blame Tommyknocker because the CCC gov't officials suck.montanahiker wrote: ↑Wed Jul 07, 2021 11:31 amI guess I'll be extending my economic boycott that started when they closed all roads to outsiders last year. There are plenty of better breweries, restaurants and gas stations in neighboring counties.John Landers wrote: ↑Mon Jul 05, 2021 10:03 pm As this appears to be a money grab by Clear Creek county, one option is to not spend any money in the county at restaurants, gas stations, etc.
We are all greater artists than we realize -FWN
A man is rich in proportion to the number of things he can afford to let alone. -HDT
Peak List
A man is rich in proportion to the number of things he can afford to let alone. -HDT
Peak List
- 12ersRule
- Posts: 2268
- Joined: 6/18/2007
- 14ers: 58
- 13ers: 157
- Trip Reports (4)
Re: Grays and Torrey parking tickets
I need to stop there sometime. I'm in way too much of a hurry going home nowadays.
We need to bring that best mountain town breweries thread back.
- dillonsarnelli
- Posts: 223
- Joined: 12/5/2011
- 14ers: 58 19
- 13ers: 274 8
- Trip Reports (53)
- Contact:
Re: Grays and Torrey parking tickets
I see you Tomer!
- Eli Watson
- Posts: 223
- Joined: 5/29/2020
- 14ers: 58 17
- 13ers: 76
- Trip Reports (2)
Re: Grays and Torrey parking tickets
Those of us with 2WD, low clearance vehicles who park at I-70 anyway:
- Attachments
-
- roadwalkersunite.jpg (32.14 KiB) Viewed 2948 times
People who are hardcore don't think they're hardcore. Marshall Ulrich, Fastest Known Podcast #85
- nyker
- Posts: 3235
- Joined: 12/5/2007
- 14ers: 58
- 13ers: 25
- Trip Reports (69)
Re: Grays and Torrey parking tickets
Starting at I-70 isn't the end of the world, all three times we were we started from the lower lot and it goes by fairly quickly. Helps acclimatize for the day and builds character!
Re: Grays and Torrey parking tickets
That's a viable solution if a lot of people would get on board with it. Something similar has worked with other towns.John Landers wrote: ↑Mon Jul 05, 2021 10:03 pm As this appears to be a money grab by Clear Creek county, one option is to not spend any money in the county at restaurants, gas stations, etc.
I'm old, slow and fat. Unfortunately, those are my good qualities.
- Phill the Thrill
- Posts: 1031
- Joined: 6/20/2005
- 14ers: 58 4
- 13ers: 60
- Trip Reports (6)
Re: Grays and Torrey parking tickets
Another solution: Climb Grays/Torreys via Grays South Ridge.
"Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it." - Andy Rooney