Grays and Torreys Peaks

Grays and Torreys are the pair of fourteeners an hour from Denver that more people climb together than any other two in Colorado: Grays by a trail the whole way, Torreys across a 13,700-foot saddle with 560 feet of extra climbing, and the two of them 8 miles round trip with 3,000 feet of gain from the Stevens Gulch trailhead. Grays Peak is the highest point on the Continental Divide in North America.

From the Stevens Gulch trailhead at 11,280 feet, cross the bridge and follow the wide trail up the valley below Kelso Mountain for about 2 miles, gaining gently, with both summits in view ahead. Near 13,000 feet the trail forks: left switchbacks to Grays, right climbs to the Grays-Torreys saddle. Most people take Grays first, up a well-built trail to the summit at 14,278 feet.

From Grays, descend the north ridge 560 feet to the saddle and climb Torreys' south ridge, about 560 feet on a good trail, to its summit at 14,267 feet. Return to the saddle and take the saddle trail down to rejoin the Grays trail, which avoids re-climbing Grays. Kelso Ridge, Torreys' Class 3 northeast ridge, is the scrambling alternative.

Take I-70 to the Bakerville exit and drive about 4 miles up Stevens Gulch Road (County Road 321), which is rough and rutted; high-clearance vehicles make it, and passenger cars often stop at the lower lot near the highway and walk, adding about 3 miles and 1,000 feet each way. The upper lot fills before 5 AM on summer weekends, and the Clear Creek County sheriff no longer allows parking along the road below it; the No Parking signs are enforced with tickets, so arrive early or walk from the bottom. No fee or permit as of this writing. Toilet at the upper trailhead.

Dogs must be on a hand-held leash, a Forest Service rule at this trailhead, and the summit crowds and the mountain goats are the reasons it exists. Not a kid hike, though fit teenagers do it every summer. Carry three liters; there is no water above the bridge. The trailhead is above 11,000 feet, so sleep in Georgetown or Idaho Springs first if you can. Microspikes into early July and poles for the descent. The Grays Peak guide covers the route in detail, the Torreys Peak page covers the second summit, and the easiest 14ers roundup puts the pair in context.