Mt Whitney Zone Forums The Chat Room Head to CO next week - anyone done Grays or Quandary?

Going to Denver for a birthday party next week and thought I'd check out either Grays Peak or Quandary. Both are about the same in length.

Comments? Suggestions?

Thanks!

Kat

lst suggestion: Don't climb on a weekend if possible as both peaks are very popular and easy to get to from Denver.

Quandary is quite a bit shorter than Grays, 5.5 miles vs 8 round trip. Both are about the same summit elevation with the starting elevation for the trailheads being similar with a slightly lower starting elevation for Quandary.

The Quandary trail is steeper. If you settle on Grays, an extra mile (9 total) would get you both Grays and Torreys as both peaks are unique in that they are the only Colorado 14ers to sit on the Continental Divide.

Grays trailhead, Stevens Gulch, is closer to Denver than Quandarys trailhead, Monte Cristo.

Further ?? e mail me: ernie_cunliffe@hotmail.com

I have climbed Grays and Torreys 4 times doing both on the same climb. Done Quandary 8 times.

Good info there - thanks!

I will be doing the hike, most likely on a Thursday - so hopefully the crowds won't be too thick.
I have been checking out 14ers.com for some good information as well.

I am leaning toward Grays - due to it's proximity to Denver. I was concerned about the road to the trailhead, but according to the 14ers site, 2 WD vehicles can make it ok (I'll be in a rental car).

Thanks!

Kat

2 WD will be fine for either trailhead. Friends of mine did Grays a week ago with a normal passenger car. Quandary is basically a dirt road that low riders could handle OK !

Hope you have enough time and feel up to the extra mile for Torreys since you have to ask: when will I be back and this close again. Torreys is basically a 1/2 mile hike up from the saddle between the two peaks and is well marked.

14ers.com is best internet site for into. The best climbing book: Gerry Roachs Colorado Fourteeners from hikes to climbs. I like the 2nd edition better than the 3rd ed. which is the latest. Amazon.com often has used copies for sale. My favorite bookstore for climbing books: www.chesslerbooks.com Michael Chessler has probably the largest inventory of worldwide climbing books and I know he has Roachs 2nd edition for $10 at the moment plus various other copies of Roachs book with some newer editions (3rd) and some newer 2nd editions. If interested either go on line or phone: 1- 800-654-8502. He is located in Evergreen right outside of Denver to the West. DISCLOSURE: We are not related but I have purchased several hundred books from Chessler over the years.

Quandary was my first 14er, in 1962. Bunch of camp kids ages 8-16, I don't remember any problems. Its definitely a walk-up. The bus driver did it in his Tony Llamas. Trailhead was pretty high, where the road ended at an old mining site: lots of cool old mine buildings, I wonder if any are left 50 years later. School bus got to the trailhead then, I doubt that has changed much.

CMC2 -- kudos for the cool link to the books!

I'm debating on whether to pack the big Columbia boots for this hike - or my Chaco trail shoes?

I've been looking at photos from 14ers.com and there seem to be a lot of folks wearing trail shoes vs. hiking boots.

On the other hand there's a lot of talus near the summit if you are doing Quandary, and some scree chutes if you want to come down that way. Probably the trail shoes would be fine for 90 percent of the way, and the rest, you'll wish you wore the boots.

I've worn trail runners for all 55 Colorado 14ers. Have gotten my ankles dinged up a few times but I like the light weight vs a boot. Trail all the way up Grays/Torreys and also pretty much the same for Quandary but as SaltDog mentions there is some talus near the top but I had no trouble with running shoes.

Oh, yeah, forgot to add: once off the summit you'll be glad about the trailrunners again!

My Chacos are packed in my bag and ready to go!

Thanks!

Kat

I did it - my first 14'er! Gray's Peak in CO.

I did not end up going to Torreys, because it started drizzling and I forgot my darn gloves, so it was time to call it a day.

Thanks for all your comments/suggestions.

A great hike .........- next........Whitney!

Kat