| Report Type | Full |
| Peak(s) |
Grays Peak - 14,275 feet Torreys Peak - 14,272 feet |
| Date Posted | 08/06/2012 |
| Modified | 11/05/2013 |
| Date Climbed | 07/27/2012 |
| Author | Rambler |
| Grays/Torreys KS to CO part 2 |
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We got to exit 221 to Bakerville at about 5pm or so after coming from the hellacious Mt of the Holy Cross pack out. Road to trailhead was MUCH rougher then the other road at Holy Cross the day before. There was a point about 2/3 of the way up it that took some serious navigation from Dave outside the car and me driving. It was rough but we barely scraped by (literally) and continued up to the trailhead parking lot to try to find a parking spot, and hopefully a campsite. We were the only car there which was creepy because it's usually busy there. We threw camp together again and were happy to not have had to pack it all in. There were bathrooms to use, but they were totally nasty. At one point Eliza even peed behind a bush rather than go use the facilities there. Ick. So as we're all getting settled again, tired, stuffed with pizza, and just about done with this whole camping thing, Dave suggests we get a 2:30 start and knock out most of what we keep hearing is "the easiest 14er" and that we'll "run right up it after doing Holy Cross". I decide it might be cool to hike in all the stars and possibly summit before sunup. Alarm set, back in our sleeping bags, and ready to hit the sack at around 7 or 8. What a long day.....  7/27/12  Wakeup call comes at 2:30. We get our stuff together and start off at about 3:15 under a GORGIOUS starry night. About a quarter mile into the hike we're already tired and Eliza calls it a day. Beat up feet and just not having fun lead her to a decision Dave and I would later envy. What isn't said about Greys/Torreys combo is that it is just a constant uphill battle. I had just figured it would be easy but they make you work for them. We were getting more tired and grouchy on the way up and it just seemed like it wouldn't ever relent. Surely the hike the day before had taken it's toll as well.  We got morale boosts with the beautiful sunrise over the ridge and running into a family of 5 goats that stared us down as we made our way past them.  We stopped for a final rest at about 13,200 with the summit in sight. Dave was having stomach (see needed to shit) problems and was running low on fuel and needed to eat. I let him do his thing on his own and decided to push up and gain the summit. It was really windy and a bit chilly up there but the views were stunning. I let our a loud cry to let Dave know that I had made it. I found the register and at 7:15 proudly signed as the first person to bag Grey's peak that day. I had the summit to myself for about 15 minutes while Dave finished up his business and joined me. I can say that those 15 minutes of solitude and the view from my windbreak of the sun just starting to get up in the sky were the best of the whole trip. I failed to get a picture of my view but no need, I can close my eyes and see it like I'm there. Amazing.    So had my last cliff bar of the day, choked it down I should say, and we made our way down the saddle. There was another hiker just starting up Torreys right before us, maybe had a ten minute lead on us. We made our way up the steep slope and 45 minutes after we were standing on Greys we'd bagged Torreys as well.   What a great few days in the mountains for us Kansas flatlanders! So happy that I can drive to the beauty of the mountians in just a day. Spent the night in Lakewood before driving the 8 hours back. Next year for sure, Longs. Trip I want to do, Challenger/Kit Carson. Oh I'll be back next year and we'll see what happens.....thanks for reading. Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
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