Grays Peak Trail

Grays Peak Trail is a 3.4-mile climb from the Grays Peak trailhead to the Grays Peak summit (14,278 ft), staying entirely above timberline. The route is graded around 20% and is classified as more difficult at the top end of its grade range, with rock as the primary surface.

Expect a sustained ascent through Stevens Gulch, where the trail climbs south above the willow/wetland area before trending toward the higher, rockier sections approaching the Continental Divide.

The trailhead sits at about 11,200–11,244 ft, roughly 3 miles above Interstate 70, so most hikers feel the altitude quickly and should pace accordingly for a steady uphill grind.

A common day plan is to continue beyond Grays Peak to Torreys Peak by crossing the Grays–Torreys saddle (Torreys 14,275 ft). This adds distance compared with stopping at Grays and makes the day longer than the straight out-and-back to Grays alone.

For approach and route-finding, most hikers start by driving to the Bakerville exit (#221) off I-70 and then heading south toward the Grays Peak trailhead area on Forest Road 189; the trailhead parking is described as limited, and the upper road is often less friendly to low-clearance cars.

Above roughly 12,600 ft, the trail swings left and continues higher toward the north slope approach, then uses switchbacks to gain the final stretch to the summit area.

More information: Wikipedia, Combination Route - Grays and Torreys - 14ers.com, Grays Peak - North Slopes Route Description - 14ers.com