This was to be my first CO 14er when I tried it in Sept. 2011 in running clothes (gear hadn't arrived with me yet). Surprised for snow, drifts above my knees (not good for breathable tennis shoes), and white out. This time around, PERFECTest weather - light wind, cool temps, plenty of sunshine. Bagged Torreys also. Totally worth the 2nd attempt :)
Cloud level hung around 12.5k - 13k all day with temps in the mid 20's higher up and plenty of snow. Micro spikes would have been perfect for the conditions that day. It's always amazing to see peoples clothing choice on an easy 14er on a Saturday. Saw many shorts, sweatshirts and even a crocs, shorts, no gloves and light coat combo. He was surprisingly high when I passed so I assume he made it but he had to have been miserable, he looked it. The weather was windy, snowy and cold. I get that you could easily run up the trail in tennies, shorts and a t-shirt on a nice day but wow. It was all snow from at least 13k which could be knee deep off the trail in places.
EndlessPat - Sep 8, 2011 6:43 pm Date Climbed: Aug 18, 2011
The saddle seemed easy after climbing up Kelso to Torreys. (Solo)
Matt Lemke - Aug 27, 2011 6:45 pm Date Climbed: Aug 27, 2011
Overcrowded
Easy climb with Torreys
omahiker - Aug 22, 2011 9:34 pm Date Climbed: Jul 19, 2011
easiest 14er
Easy walk up. I couldn't believe it I just did a 14er.
Jay Moon - Aug 16, 2011 5:45 pm Date Climbed: Aug 16, 2011
Double
Not too busy as far as Grays goes. Perfect weather. Moved quick. Hit Grays, Torreys, back to Grays and down to the TH.
gabem - Aug 9, 2011 7:56 pm Date Climbed: Aug 9, 2011
G+T via Kelso
Great day, if a bit boring climb to Grays.
Kruck - Aug 9, 2011 1:12 pm Date Climbed: Jul 24, 2011
From Bakerville
Great to get up early after camping in Bakerville and beat the hordes. On the way down, climbed down class 3 to get to what was left of a glissadeable snowfield, rapped my axe on a diving board-like boulder, gave a radness call out, and hit it with an exaggerated bicycle-style leap onto the snow. Good for some g.n.a.r. points. Maybe 1,000 feet. Good soft snow, even at 10 a.m.
vbeckman74 - Aug 5, 2011 12:00 am Date Climbed: Aug 8, 2004
Dog Day
There were about 200 people and 50 dogs on the trail. Done with Torreys. Great trail. Great weather.
ledavis23 - Aug 1, 2011 2:18 pm Date Climbed: Jul 30, 2011
Buys day on Grays!
I had to park about a mile below the TH. Wow. It was busy like Best Buy on black Friday! 2:27 to the summit, 1:32 back to the car. Fun, easy 14er.
letourneau41 - May 8, 2012 1:51 pm Date Climbed: Jul 17, 2002
Grays & TorreysBeautiful
nickkarl - Apr 22, 2012 12:39 pm
Re: First COL 14er!Thanks! The list is getting bigger now.
MissH - Apr 10, 2012 10:55 pm Date Climbed: Apr 10, 2012
2nd try is the charmThis was to be my first CO 14er when I tried it in Sept. 2011 in running clothes (gear hadn't arrived with me yet). Surprised for snow, drifts above my knees (not good for breathable tennis shoes), and white out. This time around, PERFECTest weather - light wind, cool temps, plenty of sunshine. Bagged Torreys also. Totally worth the 2nd attempt :)
splattski - Apr 9, 2012 7:02 pm
Re: First COL 14er!Congrats, Nick!
nickkarl - Apr 9, 2012 6:12 pm Date Climbed: Apr 9, 2012
First COL 14er!Amazing day, made my first 14er. Thought about heading to Torreys, but I wanted to be able to walk in the evening.
DerekFreed - Mar 30, 2012 1:33 pm Date Climbed: Jun 27, 2010
From TorreysUp Kelso Ridge, over to Grays, back down to Stevens Gulch. Beautiful weather.
DanielWandsneider - Feb 17, 2012 5:53 pm Date Climbed: Mar 19, 2009
via torrey'sclimbed over from torreys, great day
Kristin5berry - Dec 21, 2011 7:53 pm Date Climbed: Oct 9, 2011
Long slog up the roadstarted early, tons of snow, the approach road was a hike in itself. Made some great friends on my way down!
xpda - Oct 29, 2011 12:28 pm Date Climbed: Aug 25, 1999
Gray'swith Mike
Ted Eliason - Oct 12, 2011 2:49 pm Date Climbed: Jun 17, 2002
No big dealAvoid via Stevens Gulch unless skiiable or looping over from Torreys.
Tonka - Sep 20, 2011 6:48 pm Date Climbed: Sep 10, 2011
Plenty of snowCloud level hung around 12.5k - 13k all day with temps in the mid 20's higher up and plenty of snow. Micro spikes would have been perfect for the conditions that day. It's always amazing to see peoples clothing choice on an easy 14er on a Saturday. Saw many shorts, sweatshirts and even a crocs, shorts, no gloves and light coat combo. He was surprisingly high when I passed so I assume he made it but he had to have been miserable, he looked it. The weather was windy, snowy and cold. I get that you could easily run up the trail in tennies, shorts and a t-shirt on a nice day but wow. It was all snow from at least 13k which could be knee deep off the trail in places.
EndlessPat - Sep 8, 2011 6:43 pm Date Climbed: Aug 18, 2011
Another 14erKnockin' em off the list
jpjpjp - Sep 6, 2011 10:02 pm Date Climbed: Sep 4, 2011
Easy ComboThe saddle seemed easy after climbing up Kelso to Torreys. (Solo)
Matt Lemke - Aug 27, 2011 6:45 pm Date Climbed: Aug 27, 2011
OvercrowdedEasy climb with Torreys
omahiker - Aug 22, 2011 9:34 pm Date Climbed: Jul 19, 2011
easiest 14erEasy walk up. I couldn't believe it I just did a 14er.
Jay Moon - Aug 16, 2011 5:45 pm Date Climbed: Aug 16, 2011
DoubleNot too busy as far as Grays goes. Perfect weather. Moved quick. Hit Grays, Torreys, back to Grays and down to the TH.
gabem - Aug 9, 2011 7:56 pm Date Climbed: Aug 9, 2011
G+T via KelsoGreat day, if a bit boring climb to Grays.
Kruck - Aug 9, 2011 1:12 pm Date Climbed: Jul 24, 2011
From BakervilleGreat to get up early after camping in Bakerville and beat the hordes. On the way down, climbed down class 3 to get to what was left of a glissadeable snowfield, rapped my axe on a diving board-like boulder, gave a radness call out, and hit it with an exaggerated bicycle-style leap onto the snow. Good for some g.n.a.r. points. Maybe 1,000 feet. Good soft snow, even at 10 a.m.
vbeckman74 - Aug 5, 2011 12:00 am Date Climbed: Aug 8, 2004
Dog DayThere were about 200 people and 50 dogs on the trail. Done with Torreys. Great trail. Great weather.
ledavis23 - Aug 1, 2011 2:18 pm Date Climbed: Jul 30, 2011
Buys day on Grays!I had to park about a mile below the TH. Wow. It was busy like Best Buy on black Friday! 2:27 to the summit, 1:32 back to the car. Fun, easy 14er.