Grays and Torreys Peak, Colorado. Two Colorado 14ers in one day.
Grays and Torreys Peak Colorado. Located on the Front Range of Colorado you’ll find two of my favorite 14ers to date, Grays and Torrey’s peak. We did them both in one day and you can too. Who would be sad about knocking two epic 14ersin one hike? Not me.
Grays Peak is 14,270 feet in elevation and Torreys Peak is 14,267 feet in elevation. Both peaks are located in the Arapaho Forest. The combo hike is rated a class 2.
Grays and Torrey’s Peak Colorado details
Trail information
- Summit: Grays 14,270′ + Torreys 14,267′
- Length: 9.7 miles out and back
- Elevation Gain: 3,684ft
- Location: near Idaho Springs, Colorado
- Trail Difficulty: Hard per All trails. Grays is Class 1 and Torrey is a Class 2 per 14ers.com
- Route info: check out 14ers.com for detailed information on available routes. we did the Class 2 Grays and Torreys Combination Route.
- Fur Companions: You can bring your pup if he’s a trail dog. Everyone loves to see 4 legged companions on the way up.
Check out www.14ers.com for more info on trailhead location, route conditions and photos of the trails in advance.
Prepping for the hike.
Lodging accommodations in Idaho Springs are a great choice. If you can, I highly recommend locating the trailhead the night before. You’ll want 4WD for this trailhead, it’s a bit gnarly. Set an early alarm and pack up the night before.
Start before daylight. Hello magical 14er starry morning vibes. If you’re not a morning person, its okay. The views you see on the way to this summit are unreal. We aimed to be at the trailhead around 5 am.
We purposefully planned this hike for later in the week. Allow yourself plenty of time to adjust to the altitude if you’re not local. Coming from Ohio, where the elevation is about 1,100 above sea level, appropriate time to adjust to elevation is crucial. Avoid altitude sickness at all cost.
Hiking Essentials to Pack for your first 14er – HERE
10 Tips for Hiking Your First 14er – HERE
Hiking Grays and Torreys
We arrived to the trailhead early, lit up our headlamps and started our trek. We were the second car in the parking lot. One guy summited before us and we actually ran into him jogging down Torreys. Sitting at the top of the summit, taking in the views by ourselves was an added bonus.
The trail was strenuous (they all are) but the view, rewarding. Sunrise the day we did our hike was incredible. The trailhead start is 11,280. Elevation gain is intense and was expected.
Arriving at the Summit we snapped some pics, enjoyed a brew with the view and some snacks, and started our trek back down the mountain.
Since we started our hike in the dark it was an enjoyable hike down as well. The terrain in Steven’s Gulch is golden and beautiful. Don’t forget to sign the trail ledger at the end.
Summit Success. Woohoo, bagged another two peaks!!
Compared to my first 14er, Quandary Peak, this combo was a BLAST. I mean, climbing two peaks in one hike felt ahh-mazing.
Don’t forget to sign the trail ledger log on the way out. This hike was stunning going up and equally as picturesque going down. Grays and Torreys Peak Colorado did not dissapoint.
Check out my blogposts for packing and preparing. I include a checklist of all the ways to prep for a 14er as well as list of things to bring along in your daypack.
Hiking Essentials to Pack for your first 14er – HERE
10 Tips for Hiking Your First 14er – HERE
Follow me on instagram “Adventure.With.Jen“
Always remember “Safety First, Then Summit”.
