We had hiked Mt Beirstadt as our first 14er. It was a great experience  and we love a good challenge, so we could not wait for the next one. After doing some research, we decided on Grays and Torreys Peaks. 2 popular 14ers three quarters of a mile away from each other that can be completed on the same hike. What is better than doing 1 14er, 2 obviously! 

Grays and Torreys Peaks are near Denver with the popular trailhead being a little over an hour from downtown. The trail is a class 1 with Grays Peak topping at 14,276 ft of elevation and Torreys Peak reaching 14,267 ft. The saddle is the pass that goes between the peaks and dips down to 13,707 ft.

The road up to the trailhead from the highway is very bumpy with potholes throughout. Some recommend a high clearance vehicle to reach the top. We managed with our Hyundai Tucson and even saw some sedans make it up there. The road is ROUGH.

Things to Consider Before Hiking a 14er:

  • Hiking at Altitude
  • Weather
  • What to Pack

Hiking at Altitude 

The trailhead starts out at 11,256 ft, a big difference from the altitude at Denver (5,280ft) and for those who have travelled for just a weekend or week trip. Be aware of the signs and symptoms of acute mountain sickness: throbbing headache, dizziness, nausea/ vomiting, swelling, and loss of appetite. The best way to treat altitude sickness is to descend to lower altitude. 

Prepare for the altitude by spending some time the day before at altitude in Denver or in the surrounding mountain towns. Maybe car camp in the parking lot of the trailhead the night before. Eat a carb heavy meal, avoid alcohol, and drink lots of water the night before your big hike.

I actually got altitude sickness while climbing Grays and Torreys Peaks. Our dinner the night before consisted of ground beef, black beans and sweet potatoes. I did not fuel appropriately for my hike and definitely paid for it. Think about how you would eat before a marathon. Carbo-load! 

Weather

The best time of year to climb your first 14er is in the summer months July – September. The roads to the trailheads in some cases are more accessible and most of the snow has melted off the tall peaks. You can climb the 14er during the snowier months, but this makes the hike more technical. 

Although the warmer months are recommended, thunderstorms are frequent and come out of nowhere during the summer. They are more likely at the high altitude of the Rocky Mountains and you are left completely exposed at the peak. Be sure to check the weather for storms before planning your hike. You can check the conditions of any 14er peak at 14ers.com before you go.

What to Pack

  • Microspikes: Depending on what time of year you go, you may need to bring microspikes with you in case of snow or ice near the top of the peak. The higher altitude hikes can still have snow in late June and early July. Here are the ones we use and like.
  • LAYERS: Make sure to pack an extra pullover or jacket. We always warm up at the start of the hike as our heart rates increase with the challenging ascent. It tends to be cold and windy once you reach the peak, and we are back in our layers at this point. I usually keep some gloves and ear warmers in my pack because I hate being cold. 
  • SNACKS: Bring plenty of snacks to keep you fueled for your hike. You need calories to fuel you for your hike, especially at altitude. You can usually find us snacking on PB&Js and apples on our hikes. We also love Aloha Bars for their protein and calories. Don’t forget a snack for your pup!
  • Plenty of water: We bring 3L camelbacks full of water each on our hikes. We usually have our hydroflasks full of water in the car for the ride back. Don’t forget extra water for your pup. We like this for Kirby on our hikes.
  • Sunscreen: Most peaks are above tree level so there is plenty of sun exposure. You are also at increased risk of getting sunburned at higher altitude. Be sure to bring sunscreen, a sun shirt, and/or a hat to protect your skin. 
  • Trekking Poles: These might be useful for you during the scramble if you have difficulty with your balance. You might also benefit from bringing trekking poles if you get knee pain with going downstairs or downhill. 
  • Headlamp: Important if you are starting your hike before the sun comes out. We got some really cheap ones and they have been with us on a few hikes around the world. There are tons of options like this. One thing to consider is battery vs rechargeable. We prefer battery powered due to more predictability in duration as the battery ages.

Grays and Torreys Peaks

  • Location: Silver Plume, CO
  • Distance: 8.1 miles, out and back
  • Elevation Gain: 3,602 feet

We drove up to the trailhead on a July Wednesday night to car camp in the parking lot before our big hike. There were a few other cars in the lot who appeared to have the same idea and even a few tents out under the trees. A bathroom is also located at the parking lot.

We highly recommend car camping the night before at the trailhead. This makes it easier to have an early start for your hike the next day. It gives you an opportunity to acclimatize sleeping at a higher elevation. You are guaranteed a parking spot which can be tough sometimes with the popularity of hiking near Denver. Check out our post on car camping here.

Our alarm was set to 4am and there were other people already driving into the lot by the time we woke up. We drank some water and packed our overnight oats to eat a little later, because it felt too early to eat. The hike starts over a bridge and we used our headlamps to help guide us in the dark. 

About a mile in, we sat down to eat our overnight oats as the sun came up. We enjoyed the view of the peaks as other hikers walked by. As we continued up the trail, we came to a fork in the road with one way leading to Grays Peak and one leading to Torreys Peak. We chose to go to Torreys Peak first, simply because there were less people going that way. 

Alternate Route: Torreys and Grays Peaks via Kelso Ridge

This is a more technical route that involves a class 3-4 scrambling up a knife-edge ridge to get to Torreys Peak. A class 3 is advanced scrambling and class 4 is simple climbing. The Kelso Ridge would require a more experienced hiker.

This is about where I started to feel altitude sickness. I had a headache and had drank a lot of water but still had not peed yet. I did not think much of it at the time. Plus, I had a goal in mind and I was not about to quit. Not that I condone or recommend this to anyone else. 

We made it up the steep and rocky trail to Torreys Peak. There were a few other people there and some cardboard signs already there. We got our picture and had our PB&Js before making it back down the saddle to Grays Peak. There were more people at Grays Peak, but also more space to spread out. 

View of Grays Peak from Torreys Peak

We did not make it to a brewery after this hike, because I was feeling the symptoms of altitude sickness. After making it to the parking lot, we headed straight to Denver to get to lower altitude and each ate a fat burger and passed out. I will be better prepared for the next high altitude hike!

Grays and Torreys Peaks were our 2nd and 3rd 14ers and they will not be our last! This trail tends to be more crowded due to the proximity to Denver. Beat the crowds by getting there early, going on a weekday, or at the end of summer before it gets too snowy. We enjoy the camaraderie of other hikers supporting strangers as they make their way up to the peaks.

Are you trying to decide on which peak will be your first 14er? Check out our post on why we chose Mt Bierstadt!

Reach out to us if you have any questions, and follow us on Instagram @acoupleoftravelingpts

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