Grays and Torreys From Loveland Pass

Peaks: Point 12,915, “Cupid” (13,117′), Grizzly Peak D (13,427′), Torreys Peak (14,267′), Grays Peak (14,270′)
Date Climbed: December 29, 2012
Trailhead: Loveland Pass
Distance: 12 miles
Elevation Gain: 6,300 ft.
Participants: Ben Shulman, Dillon Sarnelli
Time: 11 hours

On Friday night Shulman sent me a texter that said “KC and Challenger?”, to which I responded, “Grays and Torreys, it’s closer?”. Nine hours later he was shivering on my doorstep and we were moseying on over to Loveland Pass. At about 6:30 AM we exited the warm comforts of the jeep and headed for Point 12,915. This point is about a mile and 1,000 feet vertical from the pass and the remainder of the trek is along the Continental Divide.

One very important note: You have to reascend all of these peaks to get home. Eat your Wheaties!

From the low point the ascent up Grizzly’s north face is steep, gaining approximately 650 feet.

We stayed along the ridge line for a good distance as there was less snow cover up top. There was even a little scrambling to be had in spots.

Once at the low point in the saddle, the ascent up Torreys is about 1,400 feet.

Rather than reascend Torreys on the return, we opted to aim for the low knob along the Torreys ridge (pictured above) from the saddle. There is still some reascending to do, but probably only a couple of hundred feet or so.

Now repeat BACKWARDS.

Back before dark and in time for dinner. This was a long solid day and we were beat. Smokin Yards BBQ in Idaho Springs never tasted so good.

Thanks for reading and HAPPY NEW YEAR!