Torreys Peak

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Torreys Peak and neighboring Grays Peak sit on the Continental Divide, 40 miles west of Denver. Grays is the highest point on the Divide and Torreys is a close 2nd. This pair of peaks can be seen towering over Lake Dillon, in Summit County. If you drive the paved road to the top of 14er Mt. Evans, Grays and Torreys can be seen to the west/northwest. Grays and Torreys were named in 1872 during a ceremony on the summit of Grays Peak, conducted by botanist Charles C. Parry, in honor of two of America's most famous botanists, Asa Gray and John Torrey. Torreys Peak is one of the easiest 14er climbs in Colorado and is usually climbed together with Grays Peak. If you climb these peaks, try to do so on a weekday so you'll be able to find a parking spot at the Grays Peak Trailhead.

Elevation 14,272' (LiDAR)

Prev Elevation 14,267'

CO 14er Rank 12 of 53

Range Front

Forest Arapaho

Lat / Lon 39.64276, -105.82123

Counties Clear Creek, Summit

Towns Bakerville, Montezuma, Keystone

Planning Weather
Conditions (8/8/2026)
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More Member Ascents (19,892)
GPX Library (43)
Climb Times

Other 14ers in Group

Grays Peak

Photos

360° Summit Pano

Member Contributed Photos

Peak 169 Sunrise and Sunsets 4 Moon and night sky 3 Wildflowers, plants, trees 8 Wildlife in Colorado 10 Rocks, geology 2

Climbing Routes

		Grays Peak - North Slopes Standard Route Difficulty: Class 1 Total Elevation Gain: 3,000' Round-trip Distance: 7.5 mi	Exposure: Low Rockfall Potential: Low Route-Finding: Low Commitment: Low
		Torreys Peak - South Slopes Standard Route Difficulty: Class 1 Total Elevation Gain: 3,000' Round-trip Distance: 7.75 mi	Exposure: Low Rockfall Potential: Low Route-Finding: Low Commitment: Low
		Combo: Grays and Torreys Standard Route Difficulty: Class 1 Total Elevation Gain: 3,600' Round-trip Distance: 8.25 mi	Exposure: Low Rockfall Potential: Low Route-Finding: Low Commitment: Moderate
		Grays Peak - South Ridge Difficulty: Class 2 Total Elevation Gain: 3,250' Round-trip Distance: 6.5 mi	Exposure: Moderate Rockfall Potential: Moderate Route-Finding: Moderate Commitment: Moderate
		Grays Peak - Southwest Ridge Difficulty: Class 2 Total Elevation Gain: 3,800' Round-trip Distance: 10.25 mi	Exposure: Moderate Rockfall Potential: Moderate Route-Finding: Moderate Commitment: Moderate
		Torreys Peak - Kelso Ridge Difficulty: Class 3 Total Elevation Gain: 3,100' Round-trip Distance: 6.75 mi	Exposure: High Rockfall Potential: Considerable Route-Finding: Considerable Commitment: Considerable
		Torreys Peak - West Ridge Difficulty: Class 2 Total Elevation Gain: 5,500' Round-trip Distance: 10 mi	Exposure: Moderate Rockfall Potential: Moderate Route-Finding: Moderate Commitment: Considerable
		Torreys Peak - NW Face/Tuning Fork Difficulty: Difficult Class 2 Moderate Snow Total Elevation Gain: 4,500' Round-trip Distance: 10.5 mi	Exposure: Moderate Rockfall Potential: Considerable Route-Finding: Considerable Commitment: Considerable
		Grays Peak - Lost Rat Couloir Difficulty: Class 3 Steep Snow Total Elevation Gain: 3,000' Round-trip Distance: 6.5 mi	Exposure: Considerable Rockfall Potential: Considerable Route-Finding: Moderate Commitment: Considerable
		Torreys Peak - Dead Dog Couloir Difficulty: Class 3 Steep Snow Total Elevation Gain: 3,000' Round-trip Distance: 6 mi	Exposure: Considerable Rockfall Potential: Considerable Route-Finding: Moderate Commitment: Considerable
		Torreys Peak - Emperor Couloir Difficulty: Class 3 Steep Snow Total Elevation Gain: 4,500' Round-trip Distance: 9.5 mi	Exposure: Considerable Rockfall Potential: Considerable Route-Finding: Considerable Commitment: Considerable

Map

Trip Reports

8 Recent Reports	Peaks	Climbed	Added
Tour of Grays Basin Ridges By: hobbes7714 Peak(s): McClellan Mountain, Mt. Edwards, Grays Peak, Torreys Peak, Grizzly Peak Added: 7/22/2026	McClellan Mountain Mt. Edwards Grays Peak Torreys Peak Grizzly Peak	7/21/2026	7/22/2026	5	15
Hoosier Pass to Loveland Pass By: justiner Peak(s): Grays Peak, Torreys Peak, Mt. Edwards Added: 7/13/2026	Grays Peak Torreys Peak Mt. Edwards	6/8/2025	7/13/2026	12	5
Loveland Fourbanger (Cupid, Grizzly, Torreys, Grays) By: DrewJHartmann Peak(s): Torreys Peak, Grays Peak, Grizzly Peak, "Cupid" Added: 5/15/2026	Torreys Peak Grays Peak Grizzly Peak "Cupid"	5/13/2026	5/15/2026	4	18
Kona The Mountain Dog By: sfreytag Peak(s): Grays Peak, Torreys Peak, Kelso Mountain, Wildhorse Peak, Missouri Mountain, Uncompahgre Peak, Redcloud Peak, Mt. of the Holy Cross, Mt. Princeton, Mt. Columbia, Mt. Oxford, Mt. Massive, Mt. Cameron, Mt. Democrat, Mt. Yale Added: 1/8/2026	Grays Peak Torreys Peak Kelso Mountain Wildhorse Peak Missouri Mountain Uncompahgre Peak Redcloud Peak Mt. of the Holy Cross Mt. Princeton Mt. Columbia Mt. Oxford Mt. Massive Mt. Cameron Mt. Democrat Mt. Yale	6/29/2019	1/8/2026	26	31
Grays and Torreys - Combo Route By: Ryno Peak(s): Grays Peak, Torreys Peak Added: 9/30/2025	Grays Peak Torreys Peak	7/20/2025	9/30/2025	4	4
Grays & Torreys from the Grays South Ridge By: knova Peak(s): Grays Peak, Torreys Peak Added: 9/3/2025	Grays Peak Torreys Peak	8/31/2025	9/3/2025	1	3
Grays and Torreys By: Paul M Peak(s): Grays Peak, Torreys Peak Added: 8/11/2025	Grays Peak Torreys Peak	8/8/2025	8/11/2025	5	34
Hiking 8 peaks to get back to my bike to get back to my car By: Alpine_Iris Peak(s): Kelso Mountain, Mt. Edwards, Grays Peak, Torreys Peak, Grizzly Peak, "Cupid", 12,582 - 12,582 feet, AS P560 BM - 12,752 feet Added: 7/4/2025	Kelso Mountain Mt. Edwards Grays Peak Torreys Peak Grizzly Peak "Cupid" 12,582 - 12,582 feet AS P560 BM - 12,752 feet	6/26/2025	7/4/2025	15	33

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Frequently Asked Questions about Torreys Peak

Are Grays Peak and Torreys Peak suitable for beginner 14er hikers?

Yes, Grays Peak is widely considered one of the absolute best introductory 14ers in Colorado for beginners. The standard trail up Grays is a non-technical Class 1 walk-up that features a well-defined trail all the way to the 14,278-foot summit. Nearby Torreys Peak is slightly more rugged but is a straightforward Class 2 hike via the connecting saddle trail, making the pair a great stepping stone for novice hikers looking to test their high-altitude stamina.

Can a standard car make it up the road to the Grays Peak Trailhead?

While standard 2WD passenger cars occasionally attempt it, driving all the way to the main Stevens Gulch Trailhead almost always requires a high-clearance 4WD or AWD vehicle. The 3-mile dirt access road off Interstate 70 features deep ruts, exposed rocks, and large potholes that can easily scrape or damage low-clearance vehicles. If you drive a standard car, your best option is to park at the lower Bakerville parking lot off the highway exit and hike or carpool up the rough dirt road to the start of the trail.

When is the absolute best time to hike Grays and Torreys?

The ideal time to hike these peaks is early morning on weekdays during the summer months (late June through early September). Because they are located less than an hour from Denver right off I-70, the trailhead parking lot fills to maximum capacity before 5:00 AM on summer weekends, creating massive crowds and heavy trail congestion. Choosing a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday morning allows you to enjoy the trail with far more solitude and less parking stress.

Is there an established trail all the way to both summits?

Yes. You will find a well-defined, continuous trail to the top of both mountains. The route from the trailhead to the summit of Grays Peak is fully established. If you choose to add Torreys Peak, a highly apparent, heavily traveled trail drops down from Grays into the connecting saddle and leads you directly up onto the summit ridge of Torreys with no off-trail navigation required.

Additional Torreys Peak History

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