Waking up Saturday morning was a real drag; I was dead tired, my head hurt and I just generally felt like crap. Ah, getting old, isn't it great? I used to be able to drink all night, be drunk as a skunk and wake up feeling pretty chipper. No longer. After a rather fun night out in downtown Denver, I was definately not feeling like going backpacking. So instead Jennifer and I slept all day, watched movies and did somethings around the house that had been neglected after a monster study/cram/write week. Sunday was to be a different matter though, a hike would be had and it would be a grand one.
We woke up early Sunday morning to make the requisite early start for climbing a mountain and began the drive up I-70 into the mountains. Arriving at the approach road that leads to the trailhead quickly dashed our hopes of driving to the trailhead, because a series of large ruts, rocks and roots was too tough of an obstacle for my Subaru. Parking the car, we began the long slog up to the trailhead, hoping that some kind soul would pick us up. Our hopes where quickly answered and we found a seat in the bed of a pickup and enjoyed the three mile bouncy ride. We arrived at the trailhead and walked into the beautiful alpine valley and quickly got the first look at our objective, Grays and Torries. We walked on taking in the awesome surroundings, vibrant wildflowers, dramatic rocky summits, white snowfields, crystal clear streams and squeaky little pikas. Then we started the climb, and went up and up and up some more! Trudging up the rocky slopes in an oxygen deprived environment was rough, with our chests heaving and legs burning, but we endured and pressed on.
Alpine valley going in Torries is the one on the right and Gray's is the one just to the left of it
Jennifer walking up the trail with Grey's Peak towering over her to the right
We summited around noon to a wonderous view as the clouds began to close in and the temperature dropped. What an amazing sight! Every hue of green imaginable, yellows, oranges and blues from the unique alpine environment. We ate some snacks, put on more clothes, took the photos and headed back down.
Jennifer looking very pleased with herself
The view from the top of Gray's Peak
We where pretty beat and decided that one peak was enough for the day, so Torries will have to wait for another day. We ambled down back to the trailhead and began the long slog back to the car. This time no kind stranger in a SUV came to our rescue and we had to trudge the last three miles back down to the car, but it was still an awesome adventure for our first of many 14ers!
We where pretty beat and decided that one peak was enough for the day, so Torries will have to wait for another day. We ambled down back to the trailhead and began the long slog back to the car. This time no kind stranger in a SUV came to our rescue and we had to trudge the last three miles back down to the car, but it was still an awesome adventure for our first of many 14ers!
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