Grays/Torreys for 2 beginners

[NelsonTrading]

Haha Bill. Just getting my info for Mama. I'm "responsible" for two beginner boys. Just trying to make Mama happy. I know its rated fairly easy.....

no, it's not that... it's because it is "Grays" not "Greys"... after botanists Asa Gray and John Torrey... or something like that.

Typo, honest mistake

[BillMiddlebrook]

Ha! Just busting on ya

[mtnkub]

Typo, honest mistake

No worries... just meant to point out that nobody thinks that there is anything wrong with asking questions about "easy" 14ers...

[Urban Snowshoer]

Typo, honest mistake

No worries... just meant to point out that nobody thinks that there is anything wrong with asking questions about "easy" 14ers...

While there are many people on this site (including myself) who are happy to try help people like NelsonTrading have a safe and enjoyable experience, there are others who feel differently. The 14ers.com FB page is proof that there actually are people who think there is something wrong with asking about "easy" peaks. Asking a question about "easy" peaks on the FB page frequently results in getting trolled for the next 24-48 hours.

[mtnkub]

^ yeah, guess a better version of my statement would have been: "only a$$holes would find something wrong with asking questions about easy 14ers".

[NelsonTrading]

I appreciate everyones help. My first peak was Blanca and I camped out at Lake Como. It was a magical experience (minus the Como road slog). I really enjoyed the experience. It was hot at the parking lot and sleeting at Lake Como. Camping was pretty cool. No one in sight all day. I also have done Mt of Holy Cross, Redcloud/Sunshine and Handies. Really looking forward to getting back to the mountains and my sons first.

Grays/Torreys looks pretty standard. I read all the forums, but just wanted to get some clarifications. I love this site and find it very useful. I try and avoid FB. Social Media can be cruel at times.

Thanks everyone,

John

[Sean Nunn]

Hi all. I'm bringing two teenage boys on a day hike and plan on Grey/Torreys. We are staying in Denver and will be there Aug 7-10, so doing it on Wed or Thurs. I am 50 and the boys are 17. We are from Texas. I have done 5 14ers in the past, but its been a few years. This will be the first for the boys, hence the easier 14er selection. My specific questions are as follows. 1) Recommended shoes, 2) What day pack to use 3) food/water recommendations 3) Layers and essential gear. Thank you in advance.

John

(1) Footwear is somewhat of a personal preference. I use hiking boots but some people take other approaches. The main thing about footwear is that it should be be closed-toed (e.g. no sandals or flip flops) and have good foot support.

(2) The choice of pack varies but you can make it work with a 30L size pack.

(3) You'll want to bring a minimum of 2 liters of water per person. As for food, each person has different caloric needs but do bear in mind that you are going to be hiking for 6-8 hours, possibly more. It might be advisable to check the "climb times" section on this site to get a sense of how long you might be out.

(4) As a general rule, the temperature drops 3-5 degrees Fahrenheit for every 1,000 feet you go up in elevation. Highs on the summit--if you make it that far--are probably going to be in 40-50 degrees with wind. You also need to be prepared for rain because it is not uncommon this time of year, especially in the afternoon. If the weather socks in, the temperature can drop significantly, so bring some extra warm clothing.

Getting caught above treeline in a lightning storm is very bad news, to say the least, so you need to start early, as storms are more likely to hit in the afternoon. However, do understand that starting early does not guarantee you won't encounter weather--the weather can deteriorate in the morning--so always pay attention to what's happening in the sky and be prepared to turn around if things look sketchy.

Another consideration is parking. While the Stevens Gulch trailhead, which is presumably the route you'll be starting from, has a formal parking lot, it tends to fill up fairly quickly and there are there are inholdings (private property) adjacent to parts of the Stevens Gulch road. If the parking lot fills up by the time you get there be mindful not to park on private property or park in a way that obstructs the road. If all else fails you could park in Bakerville and either try to get a ride up or walk up--it's 3 miles (give or take--each way but they aren't particularly hard miles.

+1 to everything except the 3 miles on the dirt road to the trailhead. If you walk it then it is easy but that also adds 6 miles to your round-trip. If you drive it then it is hard unless you have a 4WD. I drove my minivan the first mile and my wife was freaking out. We hiked the last 2 miles of the road. If you don't have 4WD you can probably make it the first mile, but the last 2 miles I wouldn't recommend. You might be able to hitch rides up and/or down though.

[Sean Nunn]

You could hike either of these is "regular" running shoes, but trail runners with a hard toe will save your toes from a lot of pain.
Boots are a personal preference but are not necessary, and are probably more expensive than trail runners. If you can find your size, Wal-Mart has Ozark Trail trail runners in the $30-40 range.