Torreys Peak
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Torreys Peak is a mountain in the Front Range region of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. It is one of 54 fourteeners in Colorado. Its nearest major city is Denver. The first man to ascend Torreys Peak, botanist Charles C. Parry, named the peak for his botanist colleague John Torrey. Torrey actually did not see the peak until 1872, 11 years later. It is nearly always mentioned in conjunction with nearby Grays Peak. Torreys Peak is located along the Continental Divide, as well as the division between Clear Creek County and Summit County.
There are two main trails used to reach the summit. The first is actually a continuation of the main trail to the summit of Grays Peak, which starts in Stevens Gulch. See the Grays Peak article for more information on accessing that trail.
The second trail starts at Loveland Pass about 4.5 miles to the northwest. To reach Loveland Pass, follow I-70 west from Denver 55 miles to where US Route 6 breaks off and heads south. Follow the meandering Route 6 approximately 7 miles to the trailhead at Loveland Pass, at an elevation of 11,990 feet.
The steepest part of the trail actually begins right away with a half mile climb of 1,000 feet. The trail follows the Continental Divide gently taking the climber down into three saddles and up two more peaks, including Grizzly Peak (13,427 feet). The final saddle rests at approximately 12,600. From this saddle, it is a mile-long ascent of 1,800 feet to the final summit.
Once at the summit, many opt to continue on to Grays Peak, 0.75 miles away. The trail from Torreys Peak to Grays Peak dips down to a 13,707 foot saddle and then climbs back up to 14,270 feet.