Afternoon storm risk is the line that matters. Everything else is comfort. In summer, plan to be off the ridge before the build-up starts, not as it starts. Forecast for the summit point, adjusted for its elevation · data from Open-Meteo.
Alternate route · Southwest Ridge
Overview
This route climbs Grays Peak from the south, starting in Chihuahua Gulch off the Peru Creek road near Keystone. It uses old roads to reach Ruby Gulch, then climbs trailless slopes to Grays' southwest ridge and follows the ridge to the top. It is Class 2, with some steep ground near the summit.
It suits hikers who want a quieter way up Grays than the crowded standard trail from the east. The route has less trail and needs basic route-finding, but the ridge is easy to follow once you are on it. The round trip is about 10.25 miles with roughly 3,800 feet of gain.
Most people take 7 to 9 hours car to car. A short, high-clearance 4WD can drive about 2 more miles up Chihuahua Gulch, which cuts the hike a lot.
Plan of the day
Start by
By 5:30 a.m. The ridge is long and open, and storms often build by late morning.
Turnaround
If you are not on top of the 13,600-foot point by 10:30 a.m., or clouds are building, turn back.
Crux
The steep slope between about 14,000 and 14,200 feet just below the summit. Lower down, choosing a good line up the trailless slope to the ridge crest.
Route-finding
Moderate. Turn right at the road junction near 11,160 feet, then leave the road past the mine in Ruby Gulch. There is no trail to the ridge. Once on the ridge, stay near the crest.
Water
Streams in Chihuahua Gulch and Ruby Gulch have water in early summer. There is none on the ridge. Carry 2 to 3 liters and filter anything you take.
Follow U.S. 6 to Keystone's western end. Driving east, take the Montezuma Road exit before the highway climbs toward Loveland Pass. If you are coming west from Loveland Pass, go left into the ski resort's River Run area, and a second quick left puts you on Montezuma Road.
Drive about 4.3 miles on Montezuma Road and turn left onto dirt road 260 along Peru Creek. A big lot sits where this road begins. You do not need 4WD, but avoid low-clearance cars. About 2.25 miles up Peru Creek, the trailhead is on your left and a small lot is on your right. Short, high-clearance 4WD vehicles can go about 2 more miles up the rough Chihuahua Gulch road.
RoadTrail in the treesTundraRidgeExposed to lightning
The line is elevation, the band underneath is the ground, and the numbered dots match the steps below. Mileage and elevations are approximate.
1
Chihuahua Gulch trailhead 10,450' · 0 mi
Walk or drive up the rough Chihuahua Gulch road. It climbs steadily through forest.
2
Road junction 11,160' · 2 mi
After about 2 miles, reach a junction near 11,160 feet. The Chihuahua trail follows the main road, which bears left. Turn right onto an old road that heads toward Peru Creek. It is soon closed to vehicles.
Watch for: Runoff can cover the road at this spot in spring and early summer.
3
Turn toward Ruby Gulch 11,400' · 2.4 mi
Follow the old road north up a hill. Before long it bends right and rises to the southeast in the direction of Ruby Gulch.
4
Open terrain in Ruby Gulch 11,900' · 3.4 mi
About a mile after the turn, the road reaches the gentle, open ground of Ruby Gulch. Keep heading east up the gulch.
5
Old mine where the road ends 12,000' · 3.7 mi
The road ends at an old mine. The southwest ridge is above you to the left, but it is better to go a little farther into the gulch before heading up.
Watch for: Stay away from old mine openings.
6
Leave the gulch 12,300' · 4 mi
Continue a few hundred yards beyond the mine. Then cut left through the basin and go north up gentle slopes. After a few hundred feet of climbing, angle left (northwest) toward the ridge.
7
Southwest ridge crest 13,100' · 4.5 mi
There is no trail. Choose any route up the slope beneath the ridge and make your way to the crest. Turn right (northeast) and the rest of the route comes into view.
Watch for: Note where you reached the ridge so you can find the same spot on the way down.
8
13,600-foot point 13,600' · 4.8 mi
Follow faint trail pieces along the ridge. Stay near the crest and walk to the top of a prominent point near 13,600 feet. From here you can see the final climb.
9
Small saddle 13,550' · 4.9 mi
Drop a little, cross a small saddle, and head toward the summit slopes.
10
Steep upper slopes 14,100' · 5 mi
The ridge steepens between about 14,000 and 14,200 feet. Take your time on the loose rock and gravel.
Watch for: Steepest part of the route.
11
Summit of Grays Peak 14,275' · 5.1 mi
Above the steep section, it is a short walk to the top. Expect crowds from the standard route on a summer day.
Watch for: Do not follow the crowds down the standard trail. It leads to a different trailhead.
Getting down
Go back the way you came. Follow the southwest ridge down over the 13,600-foot point and leave the crest near where you gained it. Descend the open slopes south into Ruby Gulch, walk west to the mine, and follow the old road back to the junction near 11,160 feet. Turn left there and walk down Chihuahua Gulch to the trailhead. Be careful not to follow other hikers down the popular trail on the east side of Grays.
If things go wrong
The fastest way off is back down the ridge and south into Ruby Gulch. The slopes are gentle and open, so you can drop off the ridge in many places above the gulch if weather turns. Below the ridge, the old road gives easy walking back to the trees. In an emergency, call 911 if you have signal. The standard trail on the east side is busy and may have other hikers who can help.
This describes the route in its usual season. Distances and elevations are close estimates for planning. Snow, ice, rockfall, a washed-out road or an afternoon storm can make it a very different climb. Check recent conditions the week you go and turn around when the day tells you to.
