On Saturday, August 22, 2009
Dave & I, Trey & Sean, and our friends John & Michelle
attempted to hike to the top of Torreys Peak,
one of Colorado's mountains over 14,000.
John & Michelle had attempted to summit the week before,
but a major sleet storm turned them around about 2/3s of the way up.
So all together, we grabbed a most beautiful weather day and bagged that peak together!
Here's our photo story ...
Torreys Peak is 14,267' above sea level
at the end of 4 miles of a steep, rocky, rutted 4WD road.
We drove the Excursion (of course!) ...
The trail head to Grays and Torreys starts in a beautiful meadow,
and quickly begins to tackle the ascent...
Michelle & John, Sherrie & Dave, Sean & Trey
(still in the shadows & very chilly) ...
Crossing the beautiful creek on the great wooden bridge ...
Then onward to the steps and wild flowers ...
7:55am ~ just perfect. We wanted to start by 8am
in order to be off the top by noon due to Colorado's
common afternoon lightning storms ...
(we got up at 4:45 :)
As we hike, we finally round a bend that gives us our first views
of Grays Peak (on the left) and Torreys Peak (on the right)
Here we come!
We're getting closer now, in the sun, shedding layers, and great views ~
John, Michelle, Trey, Sean, Sherrie & Dave ...
Above the meadow, we stop to look at the sights.
A hard thing about the hike is that it is so rocky that your eyes are on your feet
rather than taking in the grandeur and beauty.
Trey ...
Dave & Sean ...
If you look closely, you can see that Dave is carrying his & hers backpacks
(Thanks honey ~ I would have NEVER made it with my backpack!)
Sean powered up and scampered down the mountain
like it was a walk in the park ...
John ...
Michelle ...
Up, up and away ~ Dave & Sean getting higher still ...
A look back at the trail we've already hiked up...
the trail split is for Grays Peak to the left ...
Contemplation from the rocky parts
(actually Trey was waiting for me ;)
The trek still ahead of us up Torreys Peak ...
There was just one patch of snow ice that we had to go through ...
This picture is of that same snow ice looking back from the upper saddle of Torreys.
This picture also shows Grays Peak in the background...
A little closer view of the people hiking through the snow ice...
From the same vantage on the upper saddle, but turning forward to face Torreys peak
and the steep rocky slope to get to the top of the world ...
John & Michelle made it first and we passed them on our way up,
and right behind them, we passed Dave & Sean on their way down ...
And then it was our moment of glory ~ with Trey's encouragement
and patience, and company, together we bagged the puppy!
My hero!
Trey has "mad hops" (i.e., big air with his jumps!) ...
Yepper doodles ~ ta da!!
Trey lounging, enjoy the accomplishment & scenery, signing the log,
and checking out the names of the others who had been there before us...
There were a lot of dogs on the trail,
this is Focus, the bug-eating wonder dog also enjoying the top...
The views are/were spectacular!
I loved this little valley and the endless mountains behind ...
Zooming in, you can see Breckenridge ski resort ...
I'm bummed I held the camera upright rather than crosswise for this video
since I can't rotate it like I can with a picture!
Oh well, you'll just have to turn your heads sideways to
enjoy Trey & Sean coming back down the snow ice ;)
Our dear friend Michelle... my rock companion most of the way down ...
Dave & I, Trey & Sean, and our friends John & Michelle
attempted to hike to the top of Torreys Peak,
one of Colorado's mountains over 14,000.
John & Michelle had attempted to summit the week before,
but a major sleet storm turned them around about 2/3s of the way up.
So all together, we grabbed a most beautiful weather day and bagged that peak together!
Here's our photo story ...
Torreys Peak is 14,267' above sea level
at the end of 4 miles of a steep, rocky, rutted 4WD road.
We drove the Excursion (of course!) ...
The trail head to Grays and Torreys starts in a beautiful meadow,
and quickly begins to tackle the ascent...
Michelle & John, Sherrie & Dave, Sean & Trey
(still in the shadows & very chilly) ...
Crossing the beautiful creek on the great wooden bridge ...
Then onward to the steps and wild flowers ...
7:55am ~ just perfect. We wanted to start by 8am
in order to be off the top by noon due to Colorado's
common afternoon lightning storms ...
(we got up at 4:45 :)
As we hike, we finally round a bend that gives us our first views
of Grays Peak (on the left) and Torreys Peak (on the right)
Here we come!
We're getting closer now, in the sun, shedding layers, and great views ~
John, Michelle, Trey, Sean, Sherrie & Dave ...
Above the meadow, we stop to look at the sights.
A hard thing about the hike is that it is so rocky that your eyes are on your feet
rather than taking in the grandeur and beauty.
Trey ...
Dave & Sean ...
If you look closely, you can see that Dave is carrying his & hers backpacks
(Thanks honey ~ I would have NEVER made it with my backpack!)
Sean powered up and scampered down the mountain
like it was a walk in the park ...
John ...
Michelle ...
Up, up and away ~ Dave & Sean getting higher still ...
A look back at the trail we've already hiked up...
the trail split is for Grays Peak to the left ...
Contemplation from the rocky parts
(actually Trey was waiting for me ;)
The trek still ahead of us up Torreys Peak ...
There was just one patch of snow ice that we had to go through ...
This picture is of that same snow ice looking back from the upper saddle of Torreys.
This picture also shows Grays Peak in the background...
A little closer view of the people hiking through the snow ice...
From the same vantage on the upper saddle, but turning forward to face Torreys peak
and the steep rocky slope to get to the top of the world ...
John & Michelle made it first and we passed them on our way up,
and right behind them, we passed Dave & Sean on their way down ...
And then it was our moment of glory ~ with Trey's encouragement
and patience, and company, together we bagged the puppy!
My hero!
Trey has "mad hops" (i.e., big air with his jumps!) ...
Yepper doodles ~ ta da!!
Trey lounging, enjoy the accomplishment & scenery, signing the log,
and checking out the names of the others who had been there before us...
There were a lot of dogs on the trail,
this is Focus, the bug-eating wonder dog also enjoying the top...
The views are/were spectacular!
I loved this little valley and the endless mountains behind ...
Zooming in, you can see Breckenridge ski resort ...
I'm bummed I held the camera upright rather than crosswise for this video
since I can't rotate it like I can with a picture!
Oh well, you'll just have to turn your heads sideways to
enjoy Trey & Sean coming back down the snow ice ;)
Our dear friend Michelle... my rock companion most of the way down ...
After summitting Torreys, Dave & John hiked across the saddle and bagged Grays too!
You'd never guess that Dave broke and tore his ankle to shreds less than 2 months ago
(well unless you look at it and could check out all the swelling!)
Dave & John were down by 2.30, I got to the bottom at 4.30
Total steps on the pedometer for this 7.5 mile venture ~ 22,500 :)
You'd never guess that Dave broke and tore his ankle to shreds less than 2 months ago
(well unless you look at it and could check out all the swelling!)
Goofball!
Dave & John were down by 2.30, I got to the bottom at 4.30
Total steps on the pedometer for this 7.5 mile venture ~ 22,500 :)
4 comments:
Summer Hiking Colorado 14’ers
Tips for the Adventure!
1. Get planned ~ Read up on road access, actual hike & weather forecast at www.14er.com. Due to Colorado thunderstorms, the rule of thumb is you *must* summit before noon, so get on the trail by 8am :)
2. Cut toenails pretty short 4-5 days before hike
3. Rent trekking poles the day before to use downhill - $7 a pair at REI
4. Backpack or fannypack (I wish I had fanny pack, a backpack seems great for guys)
5. Water …
•Our camelback holds 100oz / 3 liters – probably right for a guy
•Next time I would pack a 32oz bottle of green tea and a 32oz bottle of ½ Gatorade & ½ water (I think 64oz total is the right amount for me)
6. Food …
•Pasta dinner the night before
•Get and keep well hydrated night before and on drive up in morning
•Hard boiled egg and/or other protein for breakfast on the drive up
•Three or four cliff bars per person for the hike seemed about right
•Small baggie of trail mix for hike, including dried fruit
•Sandwich for the top (meat & cheese, PB & raisin, etc.)
•Burgers & (root)beer on the way home – Tommy Knockers in Idaho Springs :)
7.Dressing ~ Avoid cotton … pack everything in car, evaluate what to leave in car right before you head up based on weather forecast as well as how the day is looking. It can snow anytime in the summer. Lightening, rain & sleet happen frequently…
•Full body sunscreen before dressing, including lots on lips
•“Hot weather” first layer (sweat wicking sports bra or camisole, short sleeve shirt, etc)
•Lightweight long sleeve shirt
•Second heavier (fleece perhaps) long-sleeved shirt – may leave in car
•Lined water-resistant jacket
•Zip-off hiking pants/shorts look like they’d be perfect … we wore lots of other things that all worked out just fine because the weather was superb (basketball shorts, jeans, under armor, fleece)
•Sunglasses & croakie
•Hat / ear band / hair control
•Hiking boots and socks
•Gloves – may leave thick ones in car and just take small ones
•Rain suit – may leave in car, or take just jacket or just pants
8.The small yet important extras…
•Camera
•Kleenex (for nose & potty)
•Chapstick / lipbalm
•Watch
•Pedometer
•Drivers license & credit card
•Cell phone (power off unless you need it)
•Emergency kit ~ moleskin for blisters; advil, allergy meds, decongestant; neosporin & band-aids; mirror & whistle
•Talk abouts / walkie talkies (if you’ll split up during the walk)
:)
I just love my soooo-organized Sher! The hike looks fab ~ how many steps did your pedometer clock? :)
LOVE the pics~
22,500 steps :)
You're amazing- my hero!
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