Trip Report: Grays and Torreys

The addiction continues- summit fever has set in. Trip Date: June 7th, 2013

After such an awesome time climbing Bierstadt, the next weekend we couldn’t wait to climb another 14er. After looking into our options, we discovered that we could do 2 at one time! Even better! This time we started a lot earlier, getting on the trail at 7am. The drive up was exciting- Jon navigated the potholes and rocks like a champ, in his Pacifica ;) We had to park down the road a bit, due to a recent avalanche/rock slide.

            The trail was runnable for about a mile, then was covered in pretty deep snow and we got our first real experience with ‘post-holing’, where you are walking along on top of the snow just fine, until one step sends your leg down into the snow, sometimes up to your hip. It’s a little unnerving, and makes it harder to run. Cody is lucky- she rarely post-holes! I just try to follow her little footsteps as best I can- she always picks a great line.

Are you guys coming?!

            The weather was a bit more overcast, and we wore a few more layers compared to Bierstadt. Cody continued her antics in the snow, playing, rolling and sliding down the hills. I swear, if she had a say in where we lived, we’d be in Alaska!

Wishin' she was a husky

Could she be any happier?!

            On the climb up to the summit, we followed the snowprints of the people who hiked before us. They went straight up! Now that I’ve done a few more 14ers without snow, I realize that this probably wasn’t the original trail- it was most likely supposed to be a switch back, but instead, we climbed what basically looks like a snow ladder!

Snow ladder

Seriously Steep

Aren't Ryan's glasses amazing?!

            Our first summit was Torreys. When we arrived at the top, a group was putting on their ski equipment and getting ready to ski down. I had no idea people did this, and I was fascinated. Ryan and I have always enjoyed skiing in the backcountry- but this was REALLY back country!! They hiked up almost 3 miles with ski’s strapped to their backs, for one long, steep, crazy descent. I can’t wait to try it!!

Cody's Second 14er

Skiiers in the background

They're going to ski down that?!

            After some food and pictures on Torreys, we went back down the ridge and started the summit to Grays. It was a lot harder to get to that second summit- my brain and legs were not thrilled with the prospect of that burning climb, once again! Luckily it was only a few hundred feet of climb, and another glorious view at the summit. 

What a friendly little cloud!

Headed to Grays

14er #3!! Summit dog!

To make the day even better, Ryan and Jon did a little performance at the top!

Running back down the snow was a lot easier than climbing up. Jon demonstrates how to glissade…or not…



One of my favorite pictures of all time:

Summary: 

With the Garmin continuously running, our total Mountain time was 5:04 (30 min/mile), with a moving time of 3:23 (20min/mile). We spend a lot of time taking pictures, eating, and singing silly songs!
Starting altitude: 10,848 feet

Peak Altitude: 14,273 feet

Total climbing: 4,069 feet

Distance: 10.15 miles
Elevation Profile:

Trail Overview:

Grays and Torreys are probably great trail for running, if the snow is gone (I haven't gone back during the summer to try though)

Gear:

Salomon SpeedCross/Fellcross. Running packs- Nathan, Salomon and Ultimate Direction, Brooks LSD jacket.