Grays and Torreys Peaks via Kelso Ridge, with maps & route description

My climb of Torreys and Grays Peaks by way of the class 3 Kelso Ridge on August 10, 2020, along with maps & route description. These are two of the most well-known and popular 14ers in Colorado. Grays is the highest peak in both the Front Range and the highest point on the Continental Divide. In this video I briefly discuss some of their history, and provide plenty of footage for each stage of the route on these picturesque peaks. Enjoy!
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Music selections:
1) "Moonshine Town" - JR Tundra (KZbin audio library)
2) "Invitation to the Castle Ball" - Doug Maxwell (KZbin audio library)
3) "Heroes" - movie jingle
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Additional Sources:
1) For maps: U.S. Geological Survey - USGS
2) For TH signs: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture - USDA; Colorado Fourteeners Initiative - CFI
3) A Climbing Guide to Colorado's Fourteeners" by Walter R. Borneman and Lyndon J. Lampert. Pruett Publishing, 2nd edition, 1988.
4) Colorado's Fourteeners - From Hikes to Climbs" by Gerry Roach. Fulcrum Publishing, 3rd edition, 2011.
5) 14ers.com: Grays and Torreys Peaks/routes/Kelso Ridge

[@CentennialTreks]

The proximity of these peaks to the Denver area make them exceedingly popular, as you can no doubt tell from watching this. The relatively easy endurance and climbing stats for the standard route also make them ideal first-time 14ers. But the peaks also offer more challenging routes, like the Kelso Ridge route featured here. For more mtn. hikes & climbs: kzbin.info/aero/PL_-D3-4b6xbqY9qs5cN_QFTiqs4gNUstL

[@mike_hore]

Thanks for making such detailed videos (on this, but also all of the peaks you hike/climb). It’s very helpful!

[@CentennialTreks]

Certainly, and thanks for watching and saying so. That's definitely one of my biggest aims in making these videos.

[@arturocubos4077]

Your videos are the best!

[@CentennialTreks]

Thanks very much!!

[@brettsturgeon2377]

I really enjoy your videos. They are long enough that someone that is trying to learn as much about the route and what to expect, should get very few surprises, if any. Indicating the month/day is also i great piece of info. I live out of state so have to plan trips in order to conquer 14ers and i'd like to know what weather conditions are typically like. I have hiked Elbert and Redcloud. Next week I am hiking Wetterhorn for my first Class 3 14er. Last year i got snowed out of Sneffels in late October

[@CentennialTreks]

Thanks, I appreciate that....I do try to capture all the key moments in addition to the 'flavor' of the routes along each stretch of the way. That being the case, briefness is not my priority. In my experience, as far as high summer goes, July and August are more volatile and prone to storms than September, which could well be the best month for 14er climbs as long as snows haven't yet come. I find October often contains the cutoff time for winter conditions. Wetterhorn was actually the 1st class 3 14er I ever climbed. I found it quite enjoyable: not too long of an approach, not too much looseness, idyllic scenes, and fun, engaging climbing. Best of luck in your attempt!

[@johnpattie7852]

Torreys was my first 14er- could've been my last if I had gone by the Kelso ridge route. Good informative video

[@CentennialTreks]

Haha. Well I believe you went along the west ridge route, which is longer and has more elevation gain than the standard way starting at the actual Grays TH.

[@amateurhouradventures]

Keep up the great work, really enjoying your videos! 👍

[@CentennialTreks]

Thanks for watching - I plan on many more.

[@amateurhouradventures]

@@CentennialTreks good stuff! Definitely subscribed, see ya out on the trails!

[@LifeAtHighAltitude]

Thats a fun one, I went over the white rocks after the Knife Edge... got to see a wolf 🐺 and Mountain 🐐

[@CentennialTreks]

A wolf? Wow! Going over the top of those rocks would have been an interesting additional challenge. Thanks for watching!

[@LifeAtHighAltitude]

@@CentennialTreks It went up and over a snow field that went to the saddle between Grays and Torreys

[@StarrDaniel]

Wow such a beautiful trail!

[@CentennialTreks]

Very much so.

[@OutdoorExistential]

Excellent work man! Some knee-knocker spots for sure!

[@CentennialTreks]

O.E. thanks for watching again. The San Gorgonio video was the first mtn. climb video I ever did, so I hope I'm getting better at this video thing. Next time, -C.T.

[@OutdoorExistential]

@@CentennialTreks Indeed! Clearly you are both a gentleman and a scholar!

[@CentennialTreks]

Hey thanks, you're too kind.

[@Kenneth_R]

There are just too many false paths at those KEY spots. They got me the first time I went up Kelso Ridge and ended up having to climb some class 4 rock to gain the ridge proper. That rock climb was actually safer than the several very loose gully traverses before that since the rock was actually solid. Very sketchy terrain.

[@CentennialTreks]

Yeah - I definitely found that to be the case, particularly after I reached the top of the white rock wall crux, and went to the left down the wrong path. It was a bit sketchy getting back on the right course. It would be detrimental to anyone looking to do this route not to study the way - directions, pictures, etc., beforehand.

[@matmobile1373]

Another great video!!! I commented on your Mt Sneffels video too. I was looking at this 14er as an alternative since it will be the first for my GF and I and I have to say, watching the first part of the video I was a little confused until I figured out you were taking the alternate route via Kelso Ridge. If you had not gone the ridge route and just taken the Gray's Peak trail, how long to you think it would have taken you to summit both mountains? Thanks!

[@CentennialTreks]

Thanks, and......starting from the very bottom (~9,800'), reaching both summits involves ~5,000 in total elevation gain, and ~14 miles. This isn't technical and therefore goes pretty fast, so I imagine it would take me about 7 to 8 hours. Starting from the Gray's TH at ~11,300, the circuit is ~3,600' and 8-9 miles. That would take me around 6 hours. That's for me though - others may have different (honestly, probably longer) time frames. The easier numbers should apply, since the road is pretty drivable. Also, these peaks are very popular, and the parking fills up very early, and it has gotten even crazier lately, and I don't know whether a permit system is or will be implemented, as I haven't been here in 2 years. I personally don't even do 14er climbs on weekends anymore.

[@gypsyj2967]

Three miles of walking the road is insanity

[@CentennialTreks]

I resemble that description! 🤣

[@robertwhalen3707]

When I did it, I stayed to the left after the white wall too ( also in error) there is solid rock on this side, but it’s class 4

[@CentennialTreks]

So it wasn't just me! Even though I studied the directions pretty carefully as usual before departing, I think what fooled me here (other than not double-checking the directions following the white rock wall) was another path that leads up the mtn. here, which I think I mistook for the continuation of the Kelso ridge path.

[@hiking1213]

Nice job completing that ridge. It looks like a nice training hike for Capitol Peak. Would you agree with that?

[@CentennialTreks]

Contemplating the intimidating and alluring beast that is Capitol, I see! I know that draw, but also wanted to try my best to make sure I was ready for it. And actually, come to think of it, I would imagine this route is excellent preparation for that, both psychologically and technically. It has most everything Capitol has, but the latter just has a lot more of it, and in more extreme versions. This has fairly steep pitches with high route finding, a fair amount of exposure, and even its own (albeit shorter and a bit less dramatic) knife edge. One difference is that on Capitol one has to down climb the same way, while here most people go on to descend the standard route. One could choose to down climb this for the additional experience. Anyway, good luck on either/or when you go, and thanks for the good question. -CT

[@hiking1213]

@@CentennialTreks my main concern with considering Capitol is being ready. Very intimidating mountain. Not sure I’ll attempt this year though. Maybe next year. It just occurred to me while I was watching this video how much it reminded me of your video of Capitol. I never really had an interest to climbing Torreys via Kelso Ridge. I’ve already done Grays and Torreys and felt like that was enough. But now, after seeing your video on it, I’m very much reconsidering. It looks like a very challenging route but very fun. Always enjoy going on the journey with you in your videos. They always give a pretty realistic idea of what the climb is like.

[@CentennialTreks]

Thanks for watching, and the favorable assessment. The Kelso ridge route is indeed both a challenge and engaging, and a very different animal from going the regular way. And if only everyone realized the imperative of 'working up to' the more hazardous peaks. This could greatly reduce accidents, rescues, and deaths. I don't know how many climbing video thumbnails I've seen that say '1st 14er, Long's Peak, solo,' or 'My 1st 14er - Capitol Peak.' These should not be anyone's 1st high mtn climbs, no matter how much of a badass they are in other endeavors. I know I'm preaching to the choir, but only because someone else might read this also. Anyway, enough ranting. Later!!

[@greenlenny3926]

How long did it take to walk the road from winter th

[@CentennialTreks]

To get from the parking area just off I-70 up the Stevens Gulch road to the actual Gray's Peak TH at ~11,200, it took me roughly an hour. I was going at a fairly fast hiking pace.

[@greenlenny3926]

Thanks I have to walk it like you did. Maybe someone will give me a ride lol

[@vincentcieluch7863]

Is this the one we are climbing next week?

[@CentennialTreks]

Yes....I will be watching the reports though to see how the recent snow is affecting the route.

[@BS2Dos]

👍👍

[@CentennialTreks]

Double thanks!

[@BS2Dos]

Just found your channel. Enjoyed the 4 or 5 ascents I’ve viewed thus far. Will be working through the rest moving-forward. Quick question, are you filming from a helmet mount? And, if so, do you wear your helmet purely for filming or do your always wear you helmet when climbing 14ers/Centennials? Helmet is one piece of gear I’ve yet to purchase.

[@CentennialTreks]

I use 2 different cameras: A digital camera with good zoom function for still shots & some moving scenes, and a GoPro for just moving scenes. On easier stretches I simply hold the cameras in my hands. But on more difficult climbing stretches where my hands are needed, I only use the GoPro and strap it to my chest. I figure I wouldn't want the image bobbing up and down with every head movement. I wear the helmet strictly for safety purposes when I am on stretches that involve at least class 3 climbing. On easier stretches, it's usually my trusty wide-brimmed hat......I hope you enjoy more of the videos!!

[@BS2Dos]

@@CentennialTreks Good to know. You seem very experienced. And yes, I’ve subscribed and will be following your future treks keenly!!

[@throughthebackloop]

Way Way too steep!! Please be careful!!

[@CentennialTreks]

It's alright I lived.