My first attempt of Torry's Peak was from Chihuahua Gulch TH. in 2000. I thought this was a really cool option for climbing both Gray's and Torry's if you wanted something less crowded. It also requires a bit of route finding, unlike the standard Stevens Gulch route. I never made it to the summit back in 2000, the knee was in bad shape. I went back in the fall of 2001. I thought Stevens Gulch was pretty, especially in fall. I drove my Toyota Camry to the TH and screwed up my suspension. The Bakersville road is not really for low clearance cars.
Route Climbed: Stevens Gulch Date Climbed: May 27, 2002
The clouds off to the west were really building fast and it was only 10:00am so I spent about five minutes on Grays, ate half of a Luna bar and was on my way to Torreys. It took forty minutes to go a half mile and 550 feet to the summit. In my opinion Torres had the better views and I also spent more time on the summit. I could see the cross on Holy Cross to the West.
Route Climbed: Grizzly Gulch Date Climbed: summer '96
Climbed this with Z and Mark Timmerman (both engineering buddies from CU), I think on the mentioned route. Camped out the night previous and had a great time. Got a late start but the weather was stable when we were up there (!), so it was cool. Traversed over to Grays.
big_g - Mar 3, 2003 3:36 pm Date Climbed: Aug 4, 2002
Route Climbed: East Slopes Date Climbed: 04 Aug 2002
Combo with Grays. Came up from Horseshoe Basin. I was alone until I hit the summit.
Route Climbed: Standard from Grays Date Climbed: August 19, 2001
This was done in combination from Grays ascent from Horseshoe Basin and back down over the top of Grays. Very nice day - sunny and relatively warm. We saw some goats which was an added plus. I would like to ascend via Kelso Ridge sometime soon.
Route Climbed: Stephens Gulch Date Climbed: September 21, 2002
Great hike. It was little windy and cold on the summit. I couldn't drive over the big rutted section of the road with my Saturn SL2, so that added an extra 1.5 miles each way. I tried to bring the wife and dog with me on this one, but they turned back where the tundra gives way to rock. Check out my trip report for more details. Visit my website for a complete set of my Torreys Peak photos: www.leachfam.com.
Route Climbed: From Grays Peak Date Climbed: July 27, 2002
we had a late start on the day, we braved the storms way in the distance and headed up. we were the only two people on the summit around 2:30, it was cold and my nose was numb.
Route Climbed: From Grays Peak Date Climbed: September 16, 2002
Outstanding mountain, beautiful pointed peak. I daresay the views from Torreys edge out Grays. Along with being able to see several other 14ers clearly including Longs, we could also make out the Denver International Airport a good 75 miles away. To do Grays and not Torreys via saddle is a mistake. I got as close as I felt comfortable to the famous Knife Edge and got some good photos. Even met a beautiful all white mountain goat on the way down, what a splendid mountain.
Route Climbed: Kelso Ridge Date Climbed: August 31st, 2002
This was the best climbing I have done to date! After getting through the class 3, and very exposed class 4 parts, I fealt a great sense of accomplishment! This route is definately a climb and NOT a hike! Trip report coming soon....
Route Climbed: Kelso Ridge Date Climbed: July 26 2002
Climbed with 2 younger guys, Joseph's first 14er (missed Long's in a snowstorm) and Shawn's second. Cold, windy, damp, fog at the summit. Started at 7:30 AM, summit at 10:00 AM. I thought the knife ridge (class 3) was harder than the dihedral below it (class 4).
Route Climbed: South Slopes from Stevens Gulch TH Date Climbed: July 12, 2002
I had already climbed Grays so just went from the trailhead directly up Torrey. A fun, easy climb. Started early and the day was hot and dry. 5 hours round trip and down in time for lunch.
Route Climbed: Saddle from Grays Peak Date Climbed: July 4, 2000
Went up Stephen's Gulch to the top of Grays and then over to Torreys. Nice walk at altitude and much-needed after recently locating to Colorado from sea-level California!
Not an ounce of wind and not a cloud in the sky. I was down by noon and was surprised to see nothing building in the sky for the afternoon.
If you happen to be someone looking for your first 14er, these two are excellent mountains to start on.
Route Climbed: Kelso Ridge Date Climbed: June 22, 2002
Grays / Torreys is supposed to be one of the easiest fourteener bagging experiences. Not if you take the Kelso Ridge! I got a late start (9:30 am) due to the drive from Denver, and tackling that nasty road up from Bakerville in my little Chevy Prizm. Anyway I couldn't resist going up Kelso Ridge since it was such a nice day, and the ridge was calling my name.
Class 4 scrambling on loose scree near the top of this beast. At one point near the top, there's a knife ridge no wider than a couple of inches with precipitous drops toward certain death on either side. Got my attention and got some adrenaline out of me. White knuckle climbing at a couple of spots. Made the peak around 12:30 pm.
A little advice for Kelso: Test every hand hold and every foot hood before planting yourself. Do not attempt to downclimb this ridge if you aren't at least a decent climber.
Route Climbed: Loveland Pass Date Climbed: March 29, 2002
Our route took us up two 12,000 footers, Grizzly Peak (a 13er) and finally up Torrey's. It was a beautiful day and a wonderful climb. Awesome views from the top. Mostly just a really long hike but there were some sporty parts along the ridgeline of Grizzly (watch that drop off... it's a doosy!). There was some loose rock heading up towards Torrey's summit as you come out of the saddle. Snow conditions were perfect and we didn't even need crampons. My buddy, Paul Ivaska, and I had the mountains to ourselves that day along with perfect weather. It was my first 14er!
Route Climbed: Dead Dog Couloir Date Climbed: May 19, 2001
Started up the couloir about 7:50 AM, probably an hour too late. By the time we topped out at 9:30 the upper section was turning to mush. Rockfall is an issue. I wouldn't be in there without a helmet. The right (north) side of the couloir seemed worse.
Kane - Jun 3, 2003 8:00 pm
Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: Sept,2001My first attempt of Torry's Peak was from Chihuahua Gulch TH. in 2000. I thought this was a really cool option for climbing both Gray's and Torry's if you wanted something less crowded. It also requires a bit of route finding, unlike the standard Stevens Gulch route. I never made it to the summit back in 2000, the knee was in bad shape. I went back in the fall of 2001. I thought Stevens Gulch was pretty, especially in fall. I drove my Toyota Camry to the TH and screwed up my suspension. The Bakersville road is not really for low clearance cars.
Grant - Apr 22, 2003 4:33 pm
Route Climbed: Stevens Gulch Date Climbed: May 27, 2002The clouds off to the west were really building fast and it was only 10:00am so I spent about five minutes on Grays, ate half of a Luna bar and was on my way to Torreys. It took forty minutes to go a half mile and 550 feet to the summit. In my opinion Torres had the better views and I also spent more time on the summit. I could see the cross on Holy Cross to the West.
Diggler - Mar 24, 2003 5:42 pm
Route Climbed: Grizzly Gulch Date Climbed: summer '96Climbed this with Z and Mark Timmerman (both engineering buddies from CU), I think on the mentioned route. Camped out the night previous and had a great time. Got a late start but the weather was stable when we were up there (!), so it was cool. Traversed over to Grays.
big_g - Mar 3, 2003 3:36 pm Date Climbed: Aug 4, 2002
Route Climbed: East Slopes Date Climbed: 04 Aug 2002Combo with Grays. Came up from Horseshoe Basin. I was alone until I hit the summit.
mtnhiker13 - Dec 27, 2002 8:38 am
Route Climbed: Standard from Grays Date Climbed: August 19, 2001This was done in combination from Grays ascent from Horseshoe Basin and back down over the top of Grays. Very nice day - sunny and relatively warm. We saw some goats which was an added plus. I would like to ascend via Kelso Ridge sometime soon.
zzril - Nov 22, 2002 12:23 pm
Route Climbed: N. Ridge Date Climbed: April 1990Great climb. Had the peaks all to ourselves and even found a couple of abandoned beers in a stream on the way out.
rob_runkle - Nov 2, 2002 8:19 am
Route Climbed: Steven's Gulch Date Climbed: August 15, 2002My 2nd 14er! Along with Grays, this is a great pair for a 1st and 2nd 14er.
climberkjp - Oct 27, 2002 10:21 pm
Route Climbed: From Grays - Horseshoe Basin Date Climbed: October 26, 2002Great October climb. Ran into some snow on the afternoon descent, but gorgeous morning.
rmjwinters - Oct 6, 2002 2:20 pm
Route Climbed: From Grays Date Climbed: August 1 2001Mountain goats everywhere.
Andy - Sep 23, 2002 11:44 am
Route Climbed: Stephens Gulch Date Climbed: September 21, 2002Great hike. It was little windy and cold on the summit. I couldn't drive over the big rutted section of the road with my Saturn SL2, so that added an extra 1.5 miles each way. I tried to bring the wife and dog with me on this one, but they turned back where the tundra gives way to rock. Check out my trip report for more details. Visit my website for a complete set of my Torreys Peak photos: www.leachfam.com.
ogonzoo - Sep 19, 2002 8:23 pm
Route Climbed: From Grays Peak Date Climbed: July 27, 2002we had a late start on the day, we braved the storms way in the distance and headed up. we were the only two people on the summit around 2:30, it was cold and my nose was numb.
kcmule - Sep 17, 2002 4:47 pm
Route Climbed: From Grays Peak Date Climbed: September 16, 2002Outstanding mountain, beautiful pointed peak. I daresay the views from Torreys edge out Grays. Along with being able to see several other 14ers clearly including Longs, we could also make out the Denver International Airport a good 75 miles away. To do Grays and not Torreys via saddle is a mistake. I got as close as I felt comfortable to the famous Knife Edge and got some good photos. Even met a beautiful all white mountain goat on the way down, what a splendid mountain.
rcorby2 - Sep 5, 2002 1:53 pm
Route Climbed: Kelso Ridge Date Climbed: August 31st, 2002This was the best climbing I have done to date! After getting through the class 3, and very exposed class 4 parts, I fealt a great sense of accomplishment! This route is definately a climb and NOT a hike! Trip report coming soon....
odysseus - Aug 14, 2002 2:21 pm
Route Climbed: Stevens Gulch TH route. Date Climbed: Aug. 9, 2002Climbed along with Grays. Always a fun hike, despite the crowds. 6th of 6 fourteeners over 6 days.
Matt Mahoney - Jul 27, 2002 8:10 am
Route Climbed: Kelso Ridge Date Climbed: July 26 2002Climbed with 2 younger guys, Joseph's first 14er (missed Long's in a snowstorm) and Shawn's second. Cold, windy, damp, fog at the summit. Started at 7:30 AM, summit at 10:00 AM. I thought the knife ridge (class 3) was harder than the dihedral below it (class 4).
kilimanjaro1 - Jul 22, 2002 7:28 pm
Route Climbed: South Slopes from Stevens Gulch TH Date Climbed: July 12, 2002I had already climbed Grays so just went from the trailhead directly up Torrey. A fun, easy climb. Started early and the day was hot and dry. 5 hours round trip and down in time for lunch.
bps - Jul 21, 2002 12:24 pm
Route Climbed: Saddle from Grays Peak Date Climbed: July 4, 2000Went up Stephen's Gulch to the top of Grays and then over to Torreys. Nice walk at altitude and much-needed after recently locating to Colorado from sea-level California!
Not an ounce of wind and not a cloud in the sky. I was down by noon and was surprised to see nothing building in the sky for the afternoon.
If you happen to be someone looking for your first 14er, these two are excellent mountains to start on.
charles97 - Jul 15, 2002 4:45 pm
Route Climbed: Kelso Ridge Date Climbed: June 22, 2002Grays / Torreys is supposed to be one of the easiest fourteener bagging experiences. Not if you take the Kelso Ridge! I got a late start (9:30 am) due to the drive from Denver, and tackling that nasty road up from Bakerville in my little Chevy Prizm. Anyway I couldn't resist going up Kelso Ridge since it was such a nice day, and the ridge was calling my name.
Class 4 scrambling on loose scree near the top of this beast. At one point near the top, there's a knife ridge no wider than a couple of inches with precipitous drops toward certain death on either side. Got my attention and got some adrenaline out of me. White knuckle climbing at a couple of spots. Made the peak around 12:30 pm.
A little advice for Kelso: Test every hand hold and every foot hood before planting yourself. Do not attempt to downclimb this ridge if you aren't at least a decent climber.
#5 of 6 fourteeners in 4 days of hiking
marcminish - Jun 27, 2002 1:34 pm
Route Climbed: Loveland Pass Date Climbed: March 29, 2002Our route took us up two 12,000 footers, Grizzly Peak (a 13er) and finally up Torrey's. It was a beautiful day and a wonderful climb. Awesome views from the top. Mostly just a really long hike but there were some sporty parts along the ridgeline of Grizzly (watch that drop off... it's a doosy!). There was some loose rock heading up towards Torrey's summit as you come out of the saddle. Snow conditions were perfect and we didn't even need crampons. My buddy, Paul Ivaska, and I had the mountains to ourselves that day along with perfect weather. It was my first 14er!
Nelson - May 31, 2002 8:51 pm
Route Climbed: Dead Dog Couloir Date Climbed: May 19, 2001Started up the couloir about 7:50 AM, probably an hour too late. By the time we topped out at 9:30 the upper section was turning to mush. Rockfall is an issue. I wouldn't be in there without a helmet. The right (north) side of the couloir seemed worse.
A fun climb, worth repeating!