Grays and Torreys are two 14ers reached by one rough road

Grays and Torreys Peaks rise side by side on the Continental Divide, and many hikers climb both in a single day from the same trailhead. Both top 14,000 feet, and they are among the closer 14ers to Denver, so the trail stays busy in summer.

The access road is the part newcomers underestimate. From Interstate 70, take the Bakerville exit and drive south on Stevens Gulch Road, County Road 321. The road is rough and can call for four-wheel drive and good clearance, especially after weather. It is not plowed and is impassable in winter, so early and late in the season you may have to park lower and walk a few extra miles to the trailhead.

From there, the trail climbs steadily above treeline to Grays, and a saddle connects over to Torreys for those who want both. This is genuine high-altitude hiking with thin air, loose rock near the top, and weather that changes fast. The slopes are often not clear of snow until late June or July, and summer afternoons bring thunderstorms, so most people start at dawn.

Parking at the trailhead is limited and fills early on weekends. A high-clearance vehicle, an early start, and a turnaround plan for storms all help.

For road and trail conditions, check the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests before heading up.