Though Steve was still feeling under the weather, he was decided that we should still go for a hike. We were ambitious and were intending to conquer Grays and Torreys Peaks.
We saved ourselves a three mile trek up a dirt road because we took Hercules- totally living up to the name! Rutted out, similar to heading back to climb at the Grotto, Herc was amazing! We saw two men in a two wheel drive truck gearing up. One man had a Deuter pack so we stopped to ask how he like his pack to which he replied he "liked' it. I asked what could make him "love" it, but he really didn't have a substantial response. The rutted road was lined with cars and the men said if our car could make it further, there was parking at the trailhead (3 miles up the road).
After learning that we didn't need to park there if our vehicle could make it the rest of the way, we invited the men to have a seat in the back of the wagon. Herc took us past at least 15 hikers heading to the trailhead. Suffice to say, when we reached the trailhead- three miles up- the Deuter owner said he now "loved" his pack. I can understand why he only "liked" his pack, it didn't have the air comfort fit to it (which we naturally introduced him to). Never saw them again, but they were grateful for the lift!
Fun along the trail.
First view of Grays (left) and Torreys (right)
I was really enjoying the wildflowers and green grasses.
Ironic, perhaps. Everyone expects hikers to carry only the healthiest of foods. I LOVE salty chips at a summit!
View of Torreys Peak from the top of Grays. Typically I'm pretty committed to a chosen route, but today, after reaching the top of Grays and peering out to the trail to Torreys, I was perfectly content to reach the single summit. Also, we were uncertain whether the weather would hold for us. Thunderstorms were forcasted and the clouds were moving in. It was obvious that it was raining in other parts not far from us.
Views from the top of Grays were spectacular! Similar to Clouds Rest in Yosemite, one is awed by 360 panoramic views.
High elevation lake still thawing viewed from the top of Grays.
Stephen and Bethany on top of Grays.
Glad to read the summit!
Great company and friends Stephen and Bethany joined us in our adventure.
We saved ourselves a three mile trek up a dirt road because we took Hercules- totally living up to the name! Rutted out, similar to heading back to climb at the Grotto, Herc was amazing! We saw two men in a two wheel drive truck gearing up. One man had a Deuter pack so we stopped to ask how he like his pack to which he replied he "liked' it. I asked what could make him "love" it, but he really didn't have a substantial response. The rutted road was lined with cars and the men said if our car could make it further, there was parking at the trailhead (3 miles up the road).After learning that we didn't need to park there if our vehicle could make it the rest of the way, we invited the men to have a seat in the back of the wagon. Herc took us past at least 15 hikers heading to the trailhead. Suffice to say, when we reached the trailhead- three miles up- the Deuter owner said he now "loved" his pack. I can understand why he only "liked" his pack, it didn't have the air comfort fit to it (which we naturally introduced him to). Never saw them again, but they were grateful for the lift!
Fun along the trail.
First view of Grays (left) and Torreys (right)
I was really enjoying the wildflowers and green grasses.
Ironic, perhaps. Everyone expects hikers to carry only the healthiest of foods. I LOVE salty chips at a summit!
View of Torreys Peak from the top of Grays. Typically I'm pretty committed to a chosen route, but today, after reaching the top of Grays and peering out to the trail to Torreys, I was perfectly content to reach the single summit. Also, we were uncertain whether the weather would hold for us. Thunderstorms were forcasted and the clouds were moving in. It was obvious that it was raining in other parts not far from us.
Views from the top of Grays were spectacular! Similar to Clouds Rest in Yosemite, one is awed by 360 panoramic views.
High elevation lake still thawing viewed from the top of Grays.
Stephen and Bethany on top of Grays.
Glad to read the summit!William's second 14ner! 
Bethany & Steve both hiked with terrible blisters. Bethany discoverd her blister damage at the summit. Tough cookie!
Bethany signing the registry at the top of Grays. Steve does the same too.
View of Torrys while we descended Grays. Everything about this day truly encompassed a Colorado postcard. Beautiful wildflowers, rough peaks with snow still on them...absolutely beautiful!
Steve acting silly on the way down.
This formation represents around 13,000 feet.
Unpredictable weather is often the breeding ground for great lighting!
View of Torrys while we descended.
View of Grays from the decent.
Torrys- again- but the flowers coupled with the snowy peak are amazing!
Torrys behind us.
Bethany & Steve both hiked with terrible blisters. Bethany discoverd her blister damage at the summit. Tough cookie!
Bethany signing the registry at the top of Grays. Steve does the same too.
View of Torrys while we descended Grays. Everything about this day truly encompassed a Colorado postcard. Beautiful wildflowers, rough peaks with snow still on them...absolutely beautiful!
Steve acting silly on the way down.
This formation represents around 13,000 feet.
Unpredictable weather is often the breeding ground for great lighting!
View of Torrys while we descended.
View of Grays from the decent.Torrys- again- but the flowers coupled with the snowy peak are amazing!
Torrys behind us.
It took us three hours to make the assent up Grays which was approximately 3.5 miles. Steve's GPS said we clocked 1.7 miles per hour- but that included the decent.
For more details on this hike go to my favorite site:
Confluence Park where Platte River and Cherry Creek merge.
We met up with Bethany, her sister with her two adorable kiddos!
Mt. 
A little, yet formidable creek.
Friendly marmot? A man beside me was trying to keep his dog from chasing after this little guy as they have sharp claws. However, this didn't work! The little critter had a nice "bark" to him!
View as we're heading toward the summit.
The trekking trio take a short breather before heading up to the summit (top left of photo).
Nicole prepares to brave the steep snowy summit- in Keens no less.
Steve braves his way down the snow field.
View from summit facing due west. Nicole, do you see California? Wave hello!
It was nice to be on such a level trail having been on rocky terrain above.
I think they were getting tired of me snapping pictures!
