I've been building up my endurance hiking this summer and really wanted to try a 14er this weekend. Was thinking Grays.
I know it's a holiday weekend but I'm okay with things being a bit busier since I'm going alone. I know about afternoon rain and the potential for thunderstorms so planning on starting early 5am.
Am I missing something?
First 14er this weekend?
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MindfulMuse
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Re: First 14er this weekend?
Starting early is definitely a great idea, you will have to be at the trailhead super early just to get a parking spot. Good luck and enjoy your hike.
Consecutive months with at least one 13er or 14er: 102 months.
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seannunn
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Re: First 14er this weekend?
Grays is a great place to start, as you say, you won't really be alone.
Take plenty of water and a little bit of food, even if you don't think you will need it.
Start slow and build your effort as you go.
Watch the weather and don't be afraid to turn around if it looks bad, even if it is only 9am (thunderstorms are possible 24 hours a day, they are just much less likely in the mornings).
Above all, have fun and come back safe.
Sean Nunn
Peculiar, MO
Take plenty of water and a little bit of food, even if you don't think you will need it.
Start slow and build your effort as you go.
Watch the weather and don't be afraid to turn around if it looks bad, even if it is only 9am (thunderstorms are possible 24 hours a day, they are just much less likely in the mornings).
Above all, have fun and come back safe.
Sean Nunn
Peculiar, MO
"Thy righteousness is like the great mountains."
--Psalm 36:6
--Psalm 36:6
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MindfulMuse
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Re: First 14er this weekend?
I had been thinking about going Saturday, but looking at weather looks like maybe it makes more sense to postpone until Sunday
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Kiefer
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Re: First 14er this weekend?
The Grays/Torreys parking lot fills up REAL QUICK normally. And with this being a major holiday weekend, you can expect it to be full even faster.MindfulMuse wrote: ↑Fri Aug 29, 2025 11:23 am I had been thinking about going Saturday, but looking at weather looks like maybe it makes more sense to postpone until Sunday
I'd probably bump your start time forward an hour.
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MidsizeAl
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Re: First 14er this weekend?
About a month ago, on a non-holiday weekend, I arrived at this trailhead at 5pm on a Friday and it was nearly full. By the time we went to bed at 8pm, it was completely full. I would definitely plan to arrive the night before if possible!MindfulMuse wrote: ↑Thu Aug 28, 2025 2:13 pm I've been building up my endurance hiking this summer and really wanted to try a 14er this weekend. Was thinking Grays.
I know it's a holiday weekend but I'm okay with things being a bit busier since I'm going alone. I know about afternoon rain and the potential for thunderstorms so planning on starting early 5am.
Am I missing something?