Gray’s Peak
Last weekend I accomplished something that had been on my ‘bucket list’ for several years. I hiked my first 14er. The term ’14er’ refers to any mountain peak that rises over 14,000 feet above sea level. Colorado is home to 54 such peaks. Gray’s Peak is found on the Continental Divide in the Front range. With an elevation of 14, 270 feet, Gray’s Peak is the highest peak on the Continental Divide. As 14er’s go, this is one of the easiest (Class 1) to summit.
My boyfriend, Travis, and I packed all our gear and food into the Jeep on Friday afternoon and drove to the campsite located at the trail head. From Denver we drove west on I-70 to Bakerville Road (exit 221). Just off the interstate we connected with Forest Road and found an easy 4WD dirt road winding through Stevens Gulch to the campsite. The road was in decent condition, but I suggest using a high-clearance four-wheel drive vehicle. The great thing about ‘car camping’ is being able to lug all of your gear to the campsite without carrying it on your back. The campsite is clean and beautiful with level areas to pitch a tent, a stream nearby, and designated pits used for fire. No fees or reservations are required to use the campsite.
Around 5:30 in the morning we woke to the sounds of car engines, car doors slamming, and the chatter of hikers getting ready to summit Gray’s. If you choose to drive to the trail head in the morning, arrive early. There are approximately 20 parking spaces available at the trail head which tend to fill up quickly on the weekend. Plan to begin your hike early to avoid hazardous weather at the summit. Allow yourself enough time to reach the summit before noon as storms have a greater chance of developing in the afternoon. Lightning is especially dangerous when hiking above treeline, so plan to descend below treeline as early in the afternoon as possible.
The view from camp is gorgeous, as seen in the photo above. Travis boils water using his camping stove and we enjoy hot chocolate, oatmeal and tea for breakfast. In preparation for our hike we filled our water bladders, packed food for the trail and extra clothes for layering. Layers of clothing allows for improved regulation of body temperature.
Hikers and outdoor enthusiasts subscribe to the 3-Layer System. The first layer of clothing is referred to as the base layer. This layer is designed to wick moisture away from your body and prevent ‘post-exercise chill’. Base layer clothing is made from high tech synthetic fibers which are very light weight and designed to dry quickly. The second layer (worn over the base layer) is known as the insulation layer. Fleece and wool are the most common materials used to prevent heat loss by creating a layer of still air around your body. The third and final layer is known as the outer shell. The purpose of this layer is to provide protection from wind and outside moisture (rain and snow). This layer is usually made of Gore-Tex materials that also provides breathability. It is important to remember a hat because you lose more heat through your head than any other body part. Despite the cooler temperatures you might encounter in the mountains it is extremely important to wear sunscreen, so lather up.
There is a bathroom located at the trail head. Separate men/women facilities are available. I would suggest using the restroom before hiking because there are not any located along the trail. Although ample amounts of toilet paper are provided, you may want to bring along a roll of your own. Just after 7 am, Travis and I are ready to begin our climb to the summit of Gray’s Peak. I am so excited. The elevation at the trail head is 11, 280 feet. The total trip length (round trip) to the summit of Gray’s Peak is 8 miles with a vertical climb of 3,000 feet.
As we begin the hike I am greeted by a well maintained trail that promises an easy ‘walk’ to the top. The terrain changes along the way and some parts are covered in rocks, but the hike to Gray’s Peak is considered one of the easier 14er’s to summit. I did see some people wearing athletic shoes; however, I would recommend wearing trail running shoes or day hiking shoes which will provide better stability and improved grip on slick surfaces.
The trail can become crowded on weekends, especially one of the last warm weekends of summer. As seen in the picture above, the trail head is located just below tree line. In higher elevations this is known as the alpine tree line which is the edge of habitat at which trees are unable to grow due to inhospitable conditions (weather, temperature, lack of water, etc.). The vegetation changes as you climb through higher elevations. Trees give way to a tundra landscape consisting of shrubs.
The trail becomes a little more rocky as we continue our ascent, but nothing that would be considered difficult or technical. The crowds that were gathered at the trail head begin to thin as Travis and I settle into our hike.
I realize at this point, I have only briefly touched on the necessary and recommended gear for hiking. Please refer to future blogs for a more detailed description of the gear that I use throughout my adventures. I will review shoes, clothing, camping stoves, backpacks, water bladders, sleeping bags, tents, headlamps, various gadgets, personal hygiene products, and lots of fun gadgets. I have also listed my favorite ‘gear’ stores and links to websites where you can compare pricing and shop from the comfort of your own home. Please look for a future blog titled ‘Fuel For Your Body’. Here you will find information on foods that provide excellent nutrition while on the trail, yet remain lightweight and easy to carry in your pack.
Along the way you may come across man made rock formations, such as the one pictured to the right. These are known as cairns. In the world of hiking they are often found at regular intervals to mark a path or trail. Hikers help maintain cairns by adding another rock as they pass. Most are only about one foot tall, but those found in mountain regions may be taller (such as this one) to protrude through the snow. As I mentioned before, the trail to Gray’s summit is well maintained and easy to follow. While cairns are not necessary to stay on track, I thought this was a great picture to include and some fun information to include in my blog. The first time I encountered cairns was on a vacation to Arches National Park with my Mom. Cairns were a vital part to some of our hikes and I was happy to add a rock in passing to maintain such an important landmark.
In the picture below you can see the ‘saddle’ between Gray’s Peak and Torrey’s Peak. Torrey’s Peak is another 14er located in the Front Range, just 0.5 miles north of Gray’s Peak. Many hikers opt to summit both Gray’s Peak and Torrey’s Peak in one day.
There is a lot of debate in the hiking world regarding the required elevation gain in order to qualify as climbing a 14er. In most discussion groups I have found online, the general consensus is that one must ascend 3,000 feet or more. If you choose to follow this ‘rule of thumb’, climbing Gray’s Peak and then traversing the saddle (about 500 vertical feet) to Torrey’s Peak would not count as climbing two 14er’s.
We continued on our journey to the peak. The trail becomes a little more narrow, rock covered, and steep. After about 3 hours of hiking we reach the summit of Gray’s Peak and the view is breathtaking. Travis told me that it would feel as though I was standing on top of the world…he was right.
After taking in the views from the ‘top of the world’, we began our descent. Instead of traversing down the same path, we decided to explore part of the trail through the saddle over to Torrey’s Peak. This trail (which is visible in the distance below) continues to the summit of Torrey’s.
I hope that you found this blog interesting and informative. Hopefully this blog inspires you to get outside and enjoy all that Colorado has to offer. I welcome any comments and suggestions for future blogs.
Resources/References used:
www.14ers.com
The Complete Walker IV written by Colin Fletcher and Chip Rawlins
Love the blog sweetie!!! Miss you, but am so glad at how happy you are!!!
xoxo,
Jen
some sleeping bags are waterproof and weatherproof too, they are nice for camping outside the house -:.