Colorado 14ers: Grays and Torreys Peaks
Lasso two 14ers in 3 hours during the most moderate (and popular) 5-mile ascent you'll find in Colorado's Front Range.
Only an hour’s drive from Denver, the moderate 5-mile climb to Torreys and Grays Peak is littered with weekend warriors, families, and trail runners. Stevens Gulch, a lush, green meadow filled with Indian paintbrush, welcomes hikers during the first few miles. Take the sandy Stevens Gulch Trail through the meadow and watch for mountain goats on the surrounding cliffs. The Continental Divide forms a huge wall to your left; Kelso Ridge to your right. After bearing left up the switchback-heavy Grays Peak Trail, be aware of talus beneath your feet. Trekking poles provide added balance. Pass Dead Dog, a twisting, hook-like rock formation (800 feet below and half a mile away from Grays’ summit), and continue up the switchbacks until you reach 14,270-foot Grays Peak. Copper Mountain, Ruby Mountain, Peruvian Mine, and Argentine Pass are the most immediate feature to the west. Turn toward the north face of Grays and walk along the saddle’s trail up the south face of 14,267-foot Torreys Peak. Savor views of the Front Range, then retrace your steps down Torreys. Turn left at the first trail junction and follow the spur trail back to Stevens Gulch Trail. -Mapped by Stephanie Porter and Timm Paxson
First views of Grays and Torreys
©Timm Paxson
Looking back down Stevens Gulch toward the trailhead
©Timm Paxson
Torreys Peak
©Timm Paxson
Looking down Stevens Gulch from Grays south face
©Timm Paxson
Summit views from Torreys
Looking east from Torreys summit. Mount Evans and the trail up Grays can be seen in the distance. ©Timm Paxson
Chihuahua Lake
Looking west from Grays summit down at Chihuahua Lake. ©Timm Paxson
Stevens Gulch
Stevens Gulch from the summit of Torreys Peak. The trail is visible in the valley floor. ©Timm Paxson
The summit of Grays Peak from Torreys south face
©Timm Paxson
Kelso Ridge
Views from Gray’s-Torrey’s saddle. ©Timm Paxson
Torreys Peak
Torreys summit from the saddle between Grays and Torreys. ©Timm Paxson
Western views from Grays summit
©Timm Paxson
Torreys Peak
©Stephanie Porter
Mountain goats
©Stephanie Porter
Trail Facts
- Distance: 8.2
Waypoints
First views of Grays and Torreys
Location: 39.654705, -105.788353
©Timm Paxson
Looking back down Stevens Gulch toward the trailhead
Location: 39.6476707, -105.7998352
©Timm Paxson
Torreys Peak
Location: 39.6473961, -105.800499
©Timm Paxson
Looking down Stevens Gulch from Grays south face
Location: 39.6383247, -105.8126984
©Timm Paxson
Summit views from Torreys
Location: 39.6427231, -105.8212738
Looking east from Torreys summit. Mount Evans and the trail up Grays can be seen in the distance.
©Timm Paxson
Chihuahua Lake
Location: 39.6338196, -105.8175888
Looking west from Grays summit down at Chihuahua Lake.
©Timm Paxson
Stevens Gulch
Location: 39.6427803, -105.8212204
Stevens Gulch from the summit of Torreys Peak. The trail is visible in the valley floor.
©Timm Paxson
The summit of Grays Peak from Torreys south face
Location: 39.6404686, -105.8199539
©Timm Paxson
Kelso Ridge
Location: 39.6397552, -105.8193512
Views from Gray’s-Torrey’s saddle.
©Timm Paxson
Torreys Peak
Location: 39.6388206, -105.8190765
Torreys summit from the saddle between Grays and Torreys.
©Timm Paxson
Western views from Grays summit
Location: 39.633873, -105.8177567
©Timm Paxson
Torreys Peak
Location: 39.6471748, -105.8011551
©Stephanie Porter
Mountain goats
Location: 39.6401939, -105.8111649
©Stephanie Porter
GAT001
Location: 39.6609306, -105.7845993
From Stevens Gulch Trailhead, head SW on wide trail
GAT002
Location: 39.6605797, -105.7848969
Cross bridge; follow wide, rocky trail through gulch punctuated with flowers
GAT003
Location: 39.6548195, -105.7881012
Look to the SW: first views of Grays and Torreys standing side by side.
GAT004
Location: 39.6553001, -105.7925034
Follow switchback as it curves gently to the L through open willows. Hike along the SE base of Kelso Mtn. Steep, grassy slopes rise to the R.
GAT005
Location: 39.6477242, -105.7998352
Pass a large trail sign showing a map of the area.
GAT006
Location: 39.6469193, -105.805397
Trail curves to the SW. The saddle connecting Kelso Mtn. and Torreys can be seen to the N. Look for mining remnants near the top of the saddle.
GAT007
Location: 39.6448593, -105.8090973
Picturesque views of Torreys to the right. On the left, the famous Dead Dog Couloir crests to the north of Grays’ summit.
GAT008
Location: 39.6427307, -105.8094025
Trail swings to the R and traverses beneath steep, rocky slopes
GAT009
Location: 39.6411209, -105.810997
Stay straight, heading SW on wide trail. Numerous side trails veer off steeply to the L.
GAT010
Location: 39.6403046, -105.8112183
Follow trail as it ascends through open, alpine meadows. Keep an eye out for mountain goats sunning themselves on nearby rocks
GAT011
Location: 39.6378708, -105.8132019
To summit Grays, bear L @ marked junction and head SE. The trail to the R leads to the Grays-Torrey’s saddle.
GAT012
Location: 39.6360817, -105.8119965
Begin the long traverse across talus-covered slopes towards the saddle.
GAT013
Location: 39.6357994, -105.8171005
Follow switchbacks for final summit climb. Numerous side trails intersect path. Follow the widest path to stay on the main trail.
GAT014
Location: 39.6338196, -105.8175964
Grays Peak (14,270 ft.): A cairn marks the summit; sign the register, then head N along the Continental Divide to summit Torreys Peak
GAT015
Location: 39.6375885, -105.8186035
Stay straight @ jct. with trail that traverses Grays N slopes
GAT016
Location: 39.6382408, -105.8189926
Continue N on saddle.
GAT017
Location: 39.6427727, -105.8212509
Torreys Peak (14,267 ft.): Windy summit views of Grizzly Peak to the W and Grays Peak to the S. Retrace steps down the summit and along the saddle. Turn L at the first junction and begin the descent down the mountain.