Grays Peak (14,270) by  Brian Schultz   Tuesday  August 22, 2000

My second time on Grays would include Mike, a friend from Minnesota eager to try a fourteener, and his son Dave, who's never hiked one even though he's lived in Denver for many years. Grays was chosen for its easy access off the freeway, simple route and only 3000 feet of elevation gain. And not only for their benefit but mine- after a tough week of climbing I was looking forward to the change of pace and to terrain more suited to my still healing feet. Mike arrived in Denver over the weekend and I phoned Monday night to confirm our morning rendezvous at the Stevens Gulch trailhead.

I drove in from Georgetown and pulled into a surprisingly nearly empty parking lot around 7:00 A.M., Mike and Dave drove in from Denver and showed up ten minutes later. Mike remarked that driving the road in four wheel drive was quite an experience- I chuckled and told him this was one of the easier roads but I'm not sure he believed me. I wonder what he'd think if I sent him up the South Colony Lakes road after this for a real experience in four wheel drive? Anyhow, as he saw it, he'd just conquered phase one of the expedition and was very excited as he slipped into his boots and let me know everything was accounted for in his pack. As soon as Mike was ready we crossed the bridge and hit the trail under clear skies. It was a beautiful morning for hiking, the time was 7:30, and everyone was upbeat.

That is, until five minutes later when Mike needed to stop. We took a mini break so he could catch his breath, then continued on for another five minutes until Mike had to stop again, all the while breathing hard and sweating profusely. I worried this might happen with him being in Denver for only two nights but not this quickly. After a longer break we began once again, but in five minutes Mike halted, motioned to his chest and said he couldn't go any further. Surrendering to the altitude, Mike gave up and just like that his much anticipated adventure was over! He insisted we go ahead because he didn't want Dave to miss out on his summit attempt.

So we started up and gave quick looks behind to make sure he was descending okay. Dave himself had no problem with the altitude and we had a great time hiking together. We stopped shortly to apply sunscreen (haven't forgotten how badly I burned here five years ago!) and again later for a long snack break. While eating on that second break, I looked over to the Kelso ridge and eyed the route for a future climb of Torreys Peak. Groups of hikers, including a family, passed us but we overtook the family further along the trail, eventually gained the switchbacks just below the summit and arrived on top at 10:30. Several groups were on the summit and a glance behind indicated it would be heavily populated soon. Dave was thrilled to be on Grays and to tell the truth I loved it too- how can you beat being on a fourteener with clear sunny skies and views for miles in every direction? It was just what I needed after the four hard climbs last week.

I dug out my lunch and chatted with others while Dave sought out a place on the west side to meditate. The summit filled up with hikers, many of them first-timers, but only a few were making the run to Torreys. Dave was content to stay on Grays only but if he wanted Torreys too, I'd have gone. We stayed for 50 minutes and began our descent at 11:20, stopping to peer down the Lost Rat Couloir, which also looked like a fun route to try another time. The uneventful hike brought us back to the trailhead at 12:50 and Mike was waiting to greet us. A short and very enjoyable outing but I wished Mike could have shared it with us.

Mike was happy we made the summit but I felt bad for him- all the time and money spent in preparing for this and only 15 brief minutes of hiking. He said he had a good time exploring the area and talking with many hikers. Dave couldn't thank me enough for guiding him up. Me, a guide? Now that was funny. He'd have a different comment if he was with me the first two times in the Silver Pick Basin!

I drove back to Denver to meet Mike and Dave for dinner and to hook up the next day with friend Steve Helle to celebrate our respective fourteener finishes.

Total hike time- 5 hours 20 minutes (including 50 minutes on summit and many breaks)

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