Grays Peak

Route: Grays and Torreys
Posted On: 10/30/2018, By: wintersage
Info: Started at the Grey's Peak Trailhead, took the North Slope up to summit Gray's first and then Torrey's. The South Slopes path (T1 on the map provided by this site) that takes you directly to Torrey's (the one that AllTrails recommends for descent) was CLOSED. Avalanche buried the trail, I believe. To get down from Torrey's you might need to summit Gray's again and go back the way you came, or risk traversing avalanche terrain to intersect with the trail again. You'd need a GPS if you're going to do that as footprints become immediately covered by the wind and the trail is pretty much unrecognizable. Microspikes, poles, and gaiters were essential -- lots of people were turning back because they didn't have this gear. Since it was very windy (50mph winds) eye protection, face covering, and a hard shell jacket were very much needed as well. I did not need snowshoes. Accessing the trailhead requires a 4WD with high clearance. Lots of snow and a steep climb. 

Route: Grays and Torreys
Posted On: 10/18/2018, By: Squirrellysquirrel
Info: Winter conditions. Higher altitudes had cloud cover with low visibility and gusty winds for both Grays and Torreys peaks with small cornices present around saddle. Significant levels of wind-swept powder on the trail with frequent knee- to hip-deep postholing. Gators, microspikes, and trekking poles helped tremendously... perfect snowshoe conditions for a large majority of the trek. Large cairns were great aides to establish the trail; tracks were quickly erased by the wind. Took the saddle descent, presently manageable, yet considering accumulated snow pack: please be mindful and take precautions for this descent as season continues due to heavy fill thus far....! Overall: slow and steady ascent; challenging, yet pleasantly rewarding despite the lack of 360 summit views; quick 2ish hour descent. 

Route: North Slopes
Posted On: 10/9/2018, By: McGraw
Info: Blizzard like conditions with some limited visibility. Could see a hundred feet at worse, but definitely lost out on the views. About 3-4 inches at the trail head with around 6 inches up high. Gusts of winds and the snowing made the trail difficult to follow at times. Previous footprints in the snow disappeared in about thirty minutes. 

Route: Grays and Torreys
Posted On: 9/29/2018, By: kidbizkit822
Info: Arrived at Trail Head around 645am and had to park behind ~10 cars on the "side" of the road. When I arrived back at my car (1030am) there were another 30-40 cars parked along the road. Weather was clear, no ice/snow on the trail. Wind was relaxed until the switchbacks on Gray and the ENTIRE summit up Torreys! Likely, as another individual mentioned, 15-20 MPH and gusts of 30+!!! I was able to wear shorts, t-shirt and a flannel and then added gloves about 3/4 up Gray and a hat for Torreys ascent. All the Aspen leaves are still yellow and changing so some pretty views - NOT including the GORGEOUS mountain views :) There were a lot of hikers to pass on both ascents/descents. It was a great hike for my first 14ers; taking my time, rests and water breaks, I was able to solo in under 4 hours for both peaks! For those of you who have never gone, it was not my lungs that hurt (they did at first, but, going slow enough, they catch up) but my legs and joints; watch your knees and ankles on the way down. 

Route: North Slopes
Posted On: 9/29/2018, By: Jlmichuda
Info: Great day for a hike! Started later than normal- around 8:30. Parked on the road about 1/4 mile out from TH. Took ~2:15 to summit grays, ~45 to get to Torrey's, and ~2 to get down. 5.5hrs total with 15min breaks at each summi. Gusty winds at times but I was prepared with layers. Trail wasn't too busy and lots of friendly hikers. Definitely recommend a car with good clearance to get to TH- AWD. People were offering rides to those who parked further down the road or bottom. 

Route: North Slopes
Posted On: 9/21/2018, By: Johnsoncale
Info: Did the Grays and Torrey combo today via the North Slopes. Beautiful day for a hike! Got to the TH by 0530 and there were already a handful of cars there. Walk to the summit was brisk (about 28 degrees when i started) but there was little to no wind until I made it to the peak. From there, down the saddle and up Torreys there was a constant 15-20 mph wind, gusting to 25-30 mph. Other than the wind, which was easy to manage with appropriate gear, the trail was in great condition. A tiny bit of snow on Grays, but nothing you would need any sort of traction for. Walk down was simple enough. Probably passed 35 other hikers on their way up as I descended. Got to the parking lot at around 1000, it was packed, and cars had started to park along the road. Temperature was about 50 degrees when I got in the car to head out. Fantastic hike!! 

Route: North Slopes
Posted On: 9/4/2018, By: parthshiras
Info: Clear sky in the morning. Cloudy towards noon. 

Route: Grays and Torreys
Posted On: 8/20/2018, By: supranihilest
Info: There was a dusting of fresh snow Sunday morning, all of it above roughly 13,500 feet. Total accumulations seemed to be about a quarter of an inch. This was accompanied by freezing temperatures, making for slick conditions in some spots, especially where water accumulates and freezes on the trail. Traction is unnecessary and these conditions won't last more than a day or two but should be noted anyway. 

Route: Grays and Torreys
Posted On: 7/9/2018, By: jeffreyclayton
Info: Was shocked at the sedans that we're able to make it up the road, definitely recommend taking an SUV/truck up to the TH, otherwise park at the bottom and walk up. TH parking lot was full before 6am. Cars were already lined up on the side of the road leading to the TH. Only snow was the connecting trail from descending Torreys. 

Route: Grays and Torreys
Posted On: 6/29/2018, By: aussie
Info: Trail is in great condition. Only snow encountered was after descending Torreys on Torreys trail. Traction would be ideal for this small section of snow, but I traversed it with poles without issue. 

Route: Kelso Ridge
Posted On: 6/13/2018, By: mcklarry
Info: Nice day on the mountain. Kelso ridge step class three, and route finding. Many mountain goats on the Ridge, and on Gray's. The ridge is clear all the way with one small patch of snow that can be avoided. The knife edge rock is rather smooth, though short. Capitol's knife edge has better rock. One small patch of snow to go through over to Gray's. 

Route: Ganley Ridge
Posted On: 6/10/2018, By: CaptainSuburbia
Info: Parked at Grizzly Gulch intersection. Hiked straight up Ganley Mountain and over McClellan and Edwards to Grays. All snow is 100% avoidable. Returned via Grays standard trail. No snow here either. Occasionally wet though. I did not do Torreys, but saw that there was a good size snowfield to cross on return to standard trail(image 6). 

Route: Grays and Torreys
Posted On: 6/10/2018, By: onetuffbuff
Info: Left Car at Summer Trailhead: 620am Summit Grays 845am Summit Torreys 945am, back to trailhead by 1225. No wind and lots of people on top. Both routes are in summer conditions with minimal snow/ice. Everything is melting out fast. 

Route: Grays and Torreys
Posted On: 6/10/2018, By: chuckstriker
Info: Beautiful day on grays and torreys. Spotted 10 mountain goats along the Grays route in small groups on the ascent and descent. One mother/baby pair. The trail back from the saddle to descend and connect with the Grays trail to return is single track through a wide snowfield. A long, long ways to slide if you slip and start going. 

Route: Grays and Torreys
Posted On: 6/11/2018, By: AltitudeAddict
Info: Left TH at 2am for the sunrise. Made the Grays / Torreys split at 3:30am, summit by 430am. Sunrise at 530 am. Left Grays at 6, Torreys summit at 6:45, back to the Trailhead by 8:30. Frigid temps at the summit before sunrise so pack an extra layer if you are hiking in the dark, temps were good until the summit, though. light wind