G&T Standard Trailhead Questions

[Iowan]

Looking to take my wife up Grey's & Torrey's next summer. I did the Steven's Gulch route/trailhead 15+ years ago when you could have a little peace and quiet on a standard route.

My question is how early would one need to get there on a week day to have any chance of parking within a half mile of the trailhead? I've heard horror stories of constant crowds on that route, and looking at Google maps confirms that, and even shows full lots for Chihuahua Gulch and Argentine Pass.

[MaryinColorado]

Monday through Thursday are definitely more pleasant. (Fridays have gotten a lot more crowded.)

I would suggest 5 a.m. Note: parking is only allowed in the lots, it is no longer allowed along Stevens Gulch Road, so that puts some emphasis on getting there early enough to get a spot in the lot. (The alternative would be to park in the I-70 lot and hike or hitch a ride up.)

[curt86iroc]

it also only adds 1 hr to walk up the road from bakerville...

[ECF55]

I parked at I-70 in early August for G/T. The hike up is fine and adds 3 miles and ~1600 feet each way along easy graded road. I got a couple offers for rides one the way up and numerous offers on the way down (and I wasn't even hitching)! The upper lot was basically fully by 5:30am, so plan accordingly. They don't always ticket if you aren't in the lot, but that's now a posted risk.

[BillMiddlebrook]

it also only adds 1 hr to walk up the road from bakerville...

It adds 3 miles each way if you park near I-70 in Bakerville

[curt86iroc]

it also only adds 1 hr to walk up the road from bakerville...

It adds 3 miles each way if you park near I-70 in Bakerville

i know, which is about 1 hr each way.

[BillMiddlebrook]

For some, yes.

[KState14er]

it also only adds 1 hr to walk up the road from bakerville...

It adds 3 miles each way if you park near I-70 in Bakerville

i know, which is about 1 hr each way.

Or the extra mileage and vertical makes an easy day less attainable and possibly impossible for some.

Your fitness isn’t everyone’s.

[curt86iroc]

Chill dude. All I’m saying is you can park at bakerville and walk up the road if you want. The upper lot being full doesn’t mean you have to turn around and give up for the day.

[nyker]

Looking to take my wife up Grey's & Torrey's next summer. I did the Steven's Gulch route/trailhead 15+ years ago when you could have a little peace and quiet on a standard route.

My question is how early would one need to get there on a week day to have any chance of parking within a half mile of the trailhead? I've heard horror stories of constant crowds on that route, and looking at Google maps confirms that, and even shows full lots for Chihuahua Gulch and Argentine Pass.

I would also suggest, depending on when exactly you do it if you're doing it in proper summer like July or August you probably want to get there earlier rather than later not just for parking purposes but also to get down below tree line before likely thunderstorms set in as early as late morning/midday...Assuming your hiking speed is "normal" gaining maybe 800-1200ft/hr lower down and less higher up.

Going out on a limb and judging purely from your screen name of "Iowan" assuming you're coming from around sea level and not super acclimatized, I would plan on allowing more than one hour to hike up from the I-70 parking lot to the trailhead.