I'll be the first to admit that hike up the road - with all its boulders and holes - was not my happy place.
But you know what? It lead us to the most beautiful little valley, dotted with campers, hikers and fishermen enjoying a Saturday under the patchy sky, surrounded by flowers.
I loved that watery byways crossed the trail and tested our gear.
I loved that Maddie (Sue's dog) was stupid-happy to be spying squirrels and chipmunks... but mostly just to be included.
And I loved picnicking on a rock over a lake, the sound of gushing waterfalls nearby.
And that road that we went back down? Turns out it's amazing training for uneven surfaces and downhill stability practice. Perhaps just what I needed.
It had been quite the weekend. My good intentions to make Sue breakfast before our doggie play date went up in flames (Literally FREAKIN' FLAMES in the oven when I set our croissants on fire!); One of our two remaining chickens got really sick and had to be put down; and the air around Boulder was smelling smokey from the massive and devastating Lee Fire near Meeker, CO.
I had put off a long hike in the mountains for a few days largely because of the weather/environmental conditions, but by Sunday the urge to go forth, hike hard uphill and sweat out my many huge emotions, was all encompassing. Luckily for me, Monday appeared to be a perfect weather day at 14,000' and I had a gap in my schedule that would allow for a Grays Peak and Torreys Peak hike on Monday morning.
The trailhead was located 3 miles up Stevens Gulch Rd - at it's best, lumpy gravel and steep incline, and at it's worst, deeply rutted, birthing boulders at irregular intervals, narrow with a steep drop off on one side. It had a reputation.
At the top was a medium sized parking lot that fills by 4:30am each day with off-road capable vehicles and hiking enthusiasts. Without wanting to risk missing a spot up here and not excited to drive it in the dark at 4am, I chose to arrive around 7:45pm Sunday. It was not ugly up here! :-)
Sleep wasn't great but it wasn't the worst I've had this week either. By 4:00am, the parking lot was abuzz with car headlights, personal headlamps and conversations in outdoor voices. I remained snuggled in my sleeping... it was cold this morning and with the reputation of this valley being quite beautiful, I had no inclination to hike it all in the pitch black.
I was on the trail at 5am. For a while with a headlamp and then first light and moon light was enough, well ahead of actual sunrise. There were surprisingly few of us. I saw maybe 6 other people and none were anywhere close to me.
Morning light did not disappoint and I found myself blown away by this trail. Perhaps my new favorite 14-er trail! It started off more gently than some, was definitely geographically stunning, critter-filled, featured wildflowers, and despite being quite delightful at sunset, it captured the morning light perfectly too. The sky was crystal clear, frost decorated bushes and the moon, setting over the saddle was almost full. There was no wind down here.
I took the Grays trail with plans to traverse the saddle to Torreys then use the connector trail to find my way back into the valley and onto the original trailhead path.
At the summit of Grays, blue sky and gorgeous vistas mingled with a small group people... who mingled with each other. But it was, as the weather forecast predicted, blowing about 10mph and that wind was chilly. My hands quickly got cold and once I had layered up, refueled and taken the obligatory photos, I was eager to move on.
This is Melissa... I was to meet her in another 45 mins!
Going downhill was a nice change... but the peak of Torreys loomed like nothing I'd experienced. Short-ish but incredibly steep, it rose up in front of me in an almost scary fashion.
Up, up, up I went. And it was worth it! (Sadly, the elusive mountain goat evaded me and all I saw were videos from other hikers who managed to cross paths with it just a little before I got here!)
At the top, I ran into Chris (first meeting on Grays summit) and Melissa - whom I had mostly seen the back of on the trail today. I took 10 mins to mingle, take in another crazy good view, despite the smoke layer in the distance.
The pic above does a good job showing the switchbacks leading to Grays summit, then the saddle trail coming down toward me on Torreys. About midway, the connector trail going down to the left is also visible.
I even remembered to do a quick O2 saturation and heartrate reading just before departing. (Sure, it's no-ones idea of a great reading... but I felt fine and that's what matters. My fingers were cold and I do wonder if my little gadget had issues taking a reading too.)
Then I caught up with Chris and Melissa and we walked the entire way down together. Nothing passes the time so pleasantly as friendly conversation between like-minded, gratitude filled hikers on a beautiful day.
The Grays and Torreys hike was actually one of the most friendly I have encountered. I was never short of a new friend and will forever be grateful to all the people who took time to chat, encourage, get to know others as they hiked. Often passing along tidbits of info about other hikes, trailheads and roads that have unique features or requirements.
John from St Louis, who was here for a bachelor party and extended his CO trip to fit in his 1st 14-er.
The the hubby and wife + friend from Loveland, doing their first 14-er together and who had forged their way up that rough road in a Ford Transit van!
The 4 from NYC - lawyers in high-rises, sea-level comfortable and feeling the altitude but soldiering on with a smile and sense of humor.
Chris from Denver, new to 14-ers this year but finding the joy in the same way I have been and planning more. I hope to see him on the trail again soon!
Melissa from Greensboro, NC. Rocking it well above her normal altitude and using all her marathon running muscles and mental stamina in new ways - making it look easy! I thoroughly enjoyed the women-travel-solo enthusiasm and sense of adventure that we shared. (If you are reading this, Melissa: My invitation to host you in Boulder will always be on the table. Come see more of Colorado!)
Like all hikes on AllTrails.com, this one underestimated the length by at least .5 mile too. I left at 5 am and was back at the car around 12:15pm. This included summit time (appreciate the accomplishment feel the joy, or why go, am I right?!) and other breaks for water and nature photography along the way. It's not a race! The longer it takes, the better it feels!
I don't think I drank as much as I should have today. I didn't eat as much either. But despite feeling a bit tired - it wasn't a short or easy hike - I felt rather good. No brain fog or headache, no sore muscles or toes, no squirrely stomach. What would I do differently? Thicker gloves and handwarmers going forward. Yep, it's mid August and summer warmth up here is short-lived.
The drive home was 90 mins and uneventful. I managed to play a game of cards and WIN... then had the early night my body craved.
NOTE: Grays and Torreys were my 9th and 10th 14-ers since July 9, 2025. I credit these peaks with helping me get to know me a little better; with an increase in confidence around hiking and rough road driving; and for the wee push up a learning curve in regards to gear!
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