Torrey’s Peak. I’m back… The last time I was here I couldn’t complete it because the weather was so bad. This time it is much clearer outside. The parking lot at Grizzly Gulch gets so incredibly packed that people park alongside the rough road on the way up. I stayed overnight in my truck like I do most of my hikes. The fall colors are truly amazing. This is a perfect location for photography, backpacking, running, and, of course, hiking. One is looking at about 3,600 feet in elevation gain and 8.5 miles in distance roundtrip.
7:26a MT There is a guided tour being lead up the mountain. I would say maybe twenty-five to thirty people. I appreciate those who come to Colorado and want to experience the mountains. I appreciate those who want to take his or her safety seriously. Paying someone $600 to go on an 8.5-mile hike up at most class two terrain is pretty silly, but I digress. One does not need the services of a professional climbing guide when doing these mountains if doing them from the standard routes.
Marmots have a distinct smell that one can smell just before the field. One will more than likely see one or two on his or her trek up the mountain. I can see specs of life on Kelso ridge. Maybe one day I will try that route, but not this time around. The air is so clean and the skies are so clear. Just remember to breath.
9:38a MT. I reached the trail junction between Gray’s and Torrey’s. The clouds are building, but not darkening, so there is some shade from the sun. A girl drops her coat as I squat to take a photo. Once I stand up, I get a bit light-headed and almost pass out. One must remember the low oxygen levels really takes its toll on the body no matter how many times he or she has hiked at high elevations. Shortly thereafter I stopped to have a snack because I was getting hungry.
11:06a MT. I reached the summit and peered across the valley. Never gets much better than this.
11:23a MT. The guy in front of me slipped on a rock. Other members of his party attended to him. A kid can be seen peeing off the side of a rock and shouts “This is awesome!”
12:14p MT. The clouds are thick and black. Being on top of a mountain in a lightning storm is the worst place to be. Thunder can be heard rumbling close by. It’s really incredible how quickly the clouds built up and the skies turned.
It really is time to get the pack on and get moving. Take baby steps on the way down to prevent from falling or slipping like others are doing. It started to rain as I started to head down and lightening bounced the sky. It was beautiful and quite scary as well as the crackles were very loud. I began to run.
There are still crowds of people on their way up the mountain. I’m just trying my best not to slip on the rocks. The rain turns to a downpour and I’m getting soaked. I have my rain jacket, waterproof boots, and water-resistant pants on. I have a waterproof shell I can put on my pack but I don’t have time for that now.
I pass a couple on their way up:
“I’m trying to beat the clouds,” I told her. “Yeah, I wouldn’t want to wet and cold either,” she says to me. “Or struck by lightning” was my reply.
I pass a group of four:
“Excuse me,” I said. “You’re good” “This is not the place to be in a thunderstorm” I warned them.
1:03p MT I made it to the parking lot. I ran the whole way down the mountain. It took me a good four hours to reach the summit through the rocky terrain and scree. It took me just an hour to get back. I was NOT getting struck by lightning. I threw my pack in the back and headed out. The parking along the tight road is comical and everyone parked there should be ticketed for impeding a roadway and I have no sympathy if someone keys their vehicle or it slides off the side. Find a better place to park. There is plenty of space further up past the second lot. I stopped at Starbucks in Frisno, Co before heading home.
Key takeaways:
- Lightening is fast and deadly in the Colorado Mountains.
- Weather can be vastly unpredictable. Clear skies can turn to dark and dense in under thirty minutes.
- My $35 pair of waterproof gloves from Sportsman Warehouse are
