Grays Peak, Mountain summit on the Continental Divide, Clear Creek and Summit counties, Colorado, US
Grays Peak is a rounded summit of loose grey and brown rock and scree on the Continental Divide in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado. At 14,276 feet (4,351 m) it is the highest point on the Continental Divide and the Continental Divide Trail in North America. Patches of snow cling to its upper slopes, and a faint trail leads to the top.
Botanist Charles C. Parry made the first recorded ascent in 1861 and named the peak for his colleague Asa Gray, who did not see it until 1872. The Arapaho name for Grays and neighboring Torreys Peak is Heeniiyoowuu, meaning "Ant Hills."
The Arapaho people called this peak and its neighbor Heeniiyoowuu, meaning Ant Hills in their language. This name reveals how indigenous peoples viewed the twin summits as connected landmarks in their world.
Access to the peak starts from Stevens Gulch where a trail leads to the summit and takes roughly 3.5 miles to complete on foot. A high-clearance vehicle is needed to reach the trailhead parking area along the access road.
At the top stands a very small U-shaped rock shelter holding a log book, where climbers sign after reaching the summit. From there the trail drops to a saddle at 13,707 feet (4,178 m) before rising to Torreys Peak, 14,274 feet (4,351 m), less than a mile away.
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