How early? Grays TH

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d_baker
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How early? Grays TH

Post by d_baker »

I haven't been up to Stevens/Grays TH in a longgg time in summer.
What's the typical weekend "filled by" time, any idea?
Looking to do Kelso Ridge in a few weeks.
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nyker
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Re: How early? Grays TH

Post by nyker »

Given the crowds lately it might be filled already
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JQDivide
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Re: How early? Grays TH

Post by JQDivide »

Camp at/near the TH the night before.
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terribletigzy
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Re: How early? Grays TH

Post by terribletigzy »

I did Kelso Ridge almost exactly 3 years ago (Saturday 6/20/20) and my recording shows I started hiking at 4:20 am (nice). With that being said I probably arrived at the trailhead at just about 4 am and there was still plenty of parking. I know the trailhead has a reputation for being insanely busy, not sure if my information from three years ago is still relevant or not.
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MaryinColorado
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Re: How early? Grays TH

Post by MaryinColorado »

d_baker wrote: Fri Jun 02, 2023 1:05 pm I haven't been up to Stevens/Grays TH in a longgg time in summer.
What's the typical weekend "filled by" time, any idea?
Looking to do Kelso Ridge in a few weeks.
So within the past 3 years, the biggest change that has affected the "be there by" time is that parking along the road is no longer allowed. It was turning into an issue for traffic, in general, but certainly (or especially) for emergency vehicles. In my estimation, that changed things for the upper lot. BEST case scenario, I would tell someone to be there by 4 a.m. on a weekend. WORST case scenario, more and more people are camping out at the TH the night before so you may simply wish to do that to eliminate the risk of not having any parking at all morning of.
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Re: How early? Grays TH

Post by curt86iroc »

terribletigzy wrote: Fri Jun 02, 2023 1:18 pm I did Kelso Ridge almost exactly 3 years ago (Saturday 6/20/20) and my recording shows I started hiking at 4:20 am (nice). With that being said I probably arrived at the trailhead at just about 4 am and there was still plenty of parking. I know the trailhead has a reputation for being insanely busy, not sure if my information from three years ago is still relevant or not.
3 years ago, parking was tolerated along the road. this is no more.
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nyker
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Re: How early? Grays TH

Post by nyker »

You can always start from the I-70 lot, a little longer day but then you don't have to worry about getting a spot. There's a pretty good chance you could probably get a ride to the top if you wanted to.
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Re: How early? Grays TH

Post by Skimo95 »

This is the best method to summit G&T (not my sled)
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ejhaley23
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Re: How early? Grays TH

Post by ejhaley23 »

Did Kelso 2nd Saturday in July last summer, camped at the upper TH the night before. By the time I called it a night, upper lot was all but full, if not completely. I think we arrived at 6:00 pm and turned in around sundown. So would definitely second the camp/park at I-70 recommendations if you're going on a weekend.
Robcwar
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Re: How early? Grays TH

Post by Robcwar »

How about any feedback on arrive by time for during the week?
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Re: How early? Grays TH

Post by peter303 »

6AM on summer weekends
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Re: How early? Grays TH

Post by Scott P »

peter303 wrote: Sat Jun 24, 2023 8:54 am 6AM on summer weekends
You can't park along the road anymore, so you would likely have to be there a lit earlier than that on a summer weekend!
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