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Re: Grays and Torrey parking tickets
Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2021 4:30 pm
by Jon Frohlich
Phill the Thrill wrote: ↑Thu Jul 08, 2021 4:26 pm
nyker wrote: ↑Wed Jul 07, 2021 8:24 pm
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!
Another solution: Climb Grays/Torreys via Grays South Ridge.
Silly, there's no other way. The standard route is the only route.
Or you could hike something else which is just equally crazy. But hey, if you need that 40th summit of Grays and Torreys I guess do your thing.
Re: Grays and Torrey parking tickets
Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2021 4:31 pm
by SkaredShtles
I can't believe people still climb 14'ers.
Re: Grays and Torrey parking tickets
Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2021 6:49 pm
by SchralpTheGnar
SkaredShtles wrote: ↑Thu Jul 08, 2021 4:31 pm
I can't believe people still climb 14'ers.
People are idiots
Re: Grays and Torrey parking tickets
Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2021 8:42 pm
by Will_E
nyker wrote: ↑Wed Jul 07, 2021 8:24 pm
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!
^This. I’ve been up 6 or 7 times and only ever parked at I-70. It’s a nice road walk.
Re: Grays and Torrey parking tickets
Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2021 10:30 pm
by SkaredShtles
SchralpTheGnar wrote: ↑Thu Jul 08, 2021 6:49 pm
SkaredShtles wrote: ↑Thu Jul 08, 2021 4:31 pm
I can't believe people still climb 14'ers.
People are idiots
You make a valid point.
Re: Grays and Torrey parking tickets
Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2021 9:18 am
by Skimo95
I’ve trained in this area over a handful of times this year. Even the lower I-70 lot fills up during calendar Winter. I have a feeling there’s a much bigger problem on hand versus the “easy” alternative.
Re: Grays and Torrey parking tickets
Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2021 10:21 am
by Somewhat of a Prick
speth wrote: ↑Mon Jul 05, 2021 11:03 am
STEVENS GULCH ROAD VISITOR MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS
People have played fast and loose for years with parking along the road, blocking cars and hundreds of other people at times because it was inconvenient to walk a few extra miles in search of the perfect social media photo.
Just like other places in the state - Maroon Bells, Mt Evans, Indian Peaks Wilderness, Rocky Mountain National Park, Hanging Lake, Ice Lake - crowds have used and abused the areas, the response is to crack down, and make these places "pay to play". I think it's too bad, but it's kind of a sign of the times.
I'd personally be in favor of closing off the road entirely above the parking lot at I-70 and encourage people to hike the way up similar to South Colony Lakes has limited access to that area (without eliminating it altogether). But at the same time, I feel like Grays and Torreys, and Bierstadt especially, can be served up as sacrificial lambs to the masses coming out of the front range, if that means that more pristine areas farther away are kept open and better preserved for more responsible use.
Can't forget about Conundrum Hot Springs as well. That place was brutalized
Re: Grays and Torrey parking tickets
Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2021 11:22 am
by markf
speth wrote: ↑Mon Jul 05, 2021 11:03 am
I'd personally be in favor of closing off the road entirely above the parking lot at I-70 and encourage people to hike the way up similar to South Colony Lakes has limited access to that area (without eliminating it altogether). But at the same time, I feel like Grays and Torreys, and Bierstadt especially, can be served up as sacrificial lambs to the masses coming out of the front range, if that means that more pristine areas farther away are kept open and better preserved for more responsible use.
It's occurred to me more than once that closing the road entirely would solve a lot of problems and make for a more meaningful backcountry experience. Like a lot of trailhead access roads in this state, the Stevens Gulch road was never intended to handle the amount of traffic that exists on it today, and the backcountry that it accesses is getting pretty beat up, too. Gate the road where it starts uphill, give the private residence owners keys, and let everyone else walk. I'm not sure if guests at the airbnb should have to walk or if other arrangements could be make for them. Like a number of people on this thread, I've walked that road more than once, and found the experience far more satisfying than dealing with road conditions and fighting for a parking spot before I started my hike.
Re: Grays and Torrey parking tickets
Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2021 2:17 pm
by nyker
The first time we went on the road, there was a crossover flipped on its side in the ditch causing all sorts of issues at 5am, that's when we opted to just walk and it really wasn't bad and frankly served as a good warmup before getting into windier terrain higher up and stopped at the TH proper and had a quick breakfast bar/drink. Second time it was iced over so there was no way our rental was making it up much anyway and the third time we were just accustomed to walking it so went up and was good training for longer outings.
Re: Grays and Torrey parking tickets
Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2021 2:28 pm
by RETEP 1
I like going there in the evenings after work and parking at the 4wd trailhead for a quick little trip. It’s never busy after 4pm…ish on a weekday. Can we agree on closing it on the weekends or before 2pm or something?
Re: Grays and Torrey parking tickets
Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2021 2:33 pm
by justiner
lol I mean I encourage everyone to ride a bike up it. Just like in the city - I didn't like dealing with parking and traffic (and guess what I was adding to the parking and traffic problems driving my car), so I just rode a bike everywhere. Changed my frickin' life!
Re: Grays and Torrey parking tickets
Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2021 3:21 pm
by 12ersRule
justiner wrote: ↑Fri Jul 09, 2021 2:33 pm
lol I mean I encourage everyone to ride a bike up it. Just like in the city - I didn't like dealing with parking and traffic (and guess what I was adding to the parking and traffic problems driving my car), so I just rode a bike everywhere. Changed my frickin' life!
Bikes? That's your answer to everything isn't it? Climate change, traffic, restricted motor vehicle access, lack of exercise etc. etc.