JJ, David, Dad and myself headed west to hike Gray's Peak (Elevation 14,270') and Torreys Peak (Elevation 14,267'). It had been years since I'd hiked a fourteener and the only other one I had ever done was Pikes Peak from Bar Trail. The round trip route length from the trail head for both peaks is approximately 8.5 miles. However because we took my dads car we were not able to make it up the Jeep road to the trail head which added another three miles each way :(
If you are ever going to do this I absolutely advise you bring a 4x4 vehicle or at least something with high clearance so that you aren't adding an extra six miles to your trip. Hitchhiking up this beast of a road is also a valid option.
The trail is clearly marked and well defined when you start out, it is pretty level and wide for about two miles.
A picture from early on in the trail. Grays peak is on the left and Torreys is barely on the right visible behind the hill.
The entire hike is absolutely beautiful, there are rolling meadows, streams, wildflowers, and Mountains everywhere.
Meadow
Flowers
There were also several adorable Pika who randomly chirped at us along the way.
Eventually the trail began to gain elevation and we got closer to both Peaks.
Panorama of Torreys, Dad and David on the right
Looking back on the valley we just hiked through
By this point my Dad and David had given up, I don't think he was hydrated enough and he was getting altitude sickness. JJ and I decided we would continue and try to finish both peaks quickly then meet them back at the car.
Shortly after they headed back the trail became chunks of rock and snow.
You eventually reach a spot where the trail splits, if you want to go to Torreys you want to go right, if you want to reach Gray's and then get to Torreys you go left. We went left and shortly reached the Summit of Grays Peak!
Me on the Summit
JJ on the Summit
Views
In the very back of this one you can see the brown ski slopes of Breckenridge
This is the view of Torrey's Peak from the Summit of Grays.
After a quick break, despite the clouds rolling in we decided to make a break for Torreys and headed down Grays to the saddle between the two. Surprisingly we got a second wind from the break we took and reached Torreys Summit in maybe 30 minutes or so.
Summit!
JJ on the Summit
We didn't have much time to get down, it was barely noon but clouds had been forming for nearly an hour and we could hear thunder in the distance. We scrambled down trying to be careful but I fell on my knee and bruised/ripped it up pretty badly. We still made good time getting back and by the time we reached the Jeep road we decided to try and hitch a ride down. Eventually we found someone with room and they were able to return us to where our dad was parked.
This was a very pretty hike and probably one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen in my life, I would highly recommend it. You need to be in good physical condition in order to do this quickly enough to beat the afternoon thunderstorms. A good fourteener or two to start with, not too dangerous but not boring like Pikes Peak. :)
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