You’ll often find Grays and Torreys peak considered some of the best CO 14ers for those just getting into the higher elevation peaks. In about 9 miles, hikers can summit two, stunningly beautiful peaks with unreal views of the surrounding Rockies.
Grays & Torreys Combined
Difficulty – Strenuous
Distance – 8.35 miles round trip (13.44 km)
Height – 14,270 feet (4,349.5 m)
Elevation gain – 3,600 feet (1,097.3 m)
Duration – 6 to 9 hours (book time)
Seasons – Year-round (caution and experience needed in winter – see below)
Trailhead Location – End of Stevens Gulch Road – 11,259 feet (directions below)
Need to Know Information
Road to trailhead: The road to the end of Stevens Gulch road is extremely rough. Highly recommended to have a high clearance 4wd vehicle. Below Stevens Gulch road is a parking lot, this will add 2.8 miles and around 1,000 feet of elevation to your hike each way if you start here.
Camping: There are some dispersed campsites located at the upper trailhead.
Dogs: Allowed
Cell Service: Once hikers start ascending out of Steven’s Gulch, cell service does return. Though, do not rely on this.
Trail Map
Trails
Hiking Just Grays Peak
Distance: 7 miles
Elevation Gain: 3,000 feet
Elevation: 14,270 feet (4,349.5 m)
Hiking Just Torreys Peak
Distance: 7.5 miles (11.27 km)
Elevation Gain: 3,000 feet (914.4 m)
Elevation: 14,267 feet (4,346.6 m)
Grays Peak Trail
Grays Peak Trail begins at the parking lot at the end of Stevens Gulch Road. Hikers immediately cross Stevens Gulch Creek via a bridge, and begin to climb up Stevens Gulch towards Grays and Torreys Peak. About .8-1.7 miles into hike, this trail is gradual, making it on the easier side, and a good place to move fast on the descent.
1.7 miles in, hikers will be at around 12,200 feet of elevation, where the trail begins to get much steeper.
2.8 miles in, hikers will reach the split between Grays Peak and Torreys Peak at 13,273 feet. Here hikers can choose which way to summit, though our opinion is that it is better to head towards Grays peak first. Please stay on trail, and avoid false paths or cut throughs. This trail has many switchbacks, but the loose rock off trail is best avoided.
3.7 miles in, hikers will reach Grays Peak (14,270). Continue beyond the summit rocks, and you will find a small trail sign that connects Grays and Torreys via the saddle. (saddle trail connector – details below)
4.1 miles in, hikers will reach the bottom of the saddle (13,757 feet) before starting to ascend back up to the summit of Torreys Peak.
4.4 miles in, hikers will hit the summit of Torreys Peak (14,267 feet). Retrace steps back towards the bottom of the saddle.
5.05 miles in, hikers will reach the saddle trail connector (details below) that will bring hikers back towards the split for Grays Peak and Torreys Peak.
5.55 miles in, hikers will reach the split, and continue downwards into Stevens Gulch.
8.35 miles in, hikers will be back at parking lot.
Saddle Trail Connector
The trail begins on the north end of the summit of Grays Peak. Hikers will find a small sign that isn’t visible until you stand just past the summit rocks. This trail contains a lot of loose rocks heading down, so be careful.
Saddle Trail Split
This trail connects hikers between the bottom of the saddle between both peaks, and the splitoff of where hikers choose to head up Grays, or up Torreys. Even in summer, there is small sections of snow to cross with a very steep slope. Be cautious on this section.
Kelso Ridge Trail – 6.75 miles round trip – Class 3 – 3,100 feet elevation gain.
This is not a common route for the average hiker. It takes a bit of scrambling, has a knifes edge section, and is only recommended for those with experience.
Hiking in Winter
This hike does have avalanche risk in winter and should be avoided during times where snow may be unstable. This is especially the case where the trail is close to Kelso Mountain (near the beginning), as this section is prone to avalanches that can reach the trail. It is recommended to take a more direct route through the gulch during times where snow may be unstable. Usually, Grays and Torreys will have trail conditions without much snow or ice until at least the third week in September.
Camping
Backcountry camping is allowed in this area. Read more about this here. There are a few dispersed campsites at the upper trailhead as well as a bathroom.
Directions & Parking
Winter months, many vehicles will not be able to reach the upper trailhead, adding 5.8 miles to the hike along Stevens Gulch Road. The road to the trailhead is a steep dirt road that is very rough. Caution is recommended for most vehicles.
Current Weather Conditions
Here is the next 4 day detailed forecast:
Montezuma, CO
Overnight
Blowing snow and snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy. Low around 12, with temperatures rising to around 14 overnight. Wind chill values as low as -10. West wind 44 to 48 mph, with gusts as high as 70 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Tuesday
Snow showers and blowing snow before 9am, then snow showers and blowing snow and a chance of thunderstorms between 9am and 1pm, then blowing snow and snow showers likely and a chance of thunderstorms between 1pm and 2pm, then snow showers and blowing snow and a chance of thunderstorms between 2pm and 3pm, then blowing snow and snow showers likely and a slight chance of thunderstorms between 3pm and 4pm, then snow showers and blowing snow and a slight chance of thunderstorms between 4pm and 5pm, then blowing snow and snow showers likely and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Cloudy. High near 19, with temperatures falling to around 14 in the afternoon. Wind chill values as low as -11. West wind 36 to 45 mph, with gusts as high as 66 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.
Tuesday Night
Blowing snow and snow showers likely and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 4. Wind chill values as low as -22. West wind 33 to 41 mph, with gusts as high as 60 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Wednesday
A slight chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 19. Wind chill values as low as -20. West northwest wind 25 to 32 mph, with gusts as high as 48 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Wednesday Night
A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 11. West wind 12 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New snow accumulation of around one inch possible.
Thursday
Snow showers likely before noon, then snow showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 22. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
Thursday Night
A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Pictures
Grays Peak Summit Views
Stevens Gulch
Summit of Grays Peak
Torreys Peak Summit
Views from Grays Peak Summit
Views from Stevens Gulch of Grays & Torreys
Views from Torreys Peak
Max DesMarais is the founder of hikingandfishing.com. He has a passion for the outdoors and making outdoor education and adventure more accessible. Max is a published author for various outdoor adventure, travel, and marketing websites. He is an experienced hiker, backpacker, fly fisherman, backcountry skier, trail runner, and spends his free time in the outdoors. These adventures allow him to test gear, learn new skills, and experience new places so that he can educate others. Max grew up hiking all around New Hampshire and New England. He became obsessed with the New Hampshire mountains, and the NH 48, where he guided hikes and trail runs in the White Mountains. Since moving out west, Max has continued climbed all of the Colorado 14ers, is always testing gear, learning skills, gaining experience, and building his endurance for outdoor sports. You can read more about his experience here: hikingandfishing/about