Steven's Circumnavigation
Date: 09/30/2023
Partners: Alex Neal (Junior), David Hughes
Trailhead: I-70 Bakersville
Summits:
* Kelso Mountain
* Torreys Peak
* Grays Peak
* Mount Edwards
* McClellan Mountain
Distance: 13.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 6750ft
Duration: 8.5hrs
Given the amount of time we spend in Steven's Gulch, it only seemed appropriate to circumnavigate the ridges that define this awesome zone.
![Stevens circ 01]()
13.4m - 6750ft - 8.5hrs
![Stevens circ 02]()
From the highway we headed up the road. Torreys ahead
![Stevens circ 03]()
We left the road and climbed Kelso's north ridge
![Stevens circ 04]()
The colors were poppin!
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Looking east from Kelso's north ridge
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Torreys from Kelso's north ridge. Grays popping out on the left. Grizzly to the right
![Stevens circ 07]()
Junior on Kelso's north ridge with Parnassus and Bard behind
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Kelso's summit with Grays and Torreys behind. One down... four to go
![Stevens circ 09]()
Next stop Torreys via Kelso ridge
![Stevens circ 10]()
![Stevens circ 11]()
![Stevens circ 12]()
A great view of our circumnavigation from Kelso Ridge's knife edge
![Stevens circ 13]()
Sawtooth Ridge, Bierstadt and Blue Sky to the east
![Stevens circ 14]()
After summitting Torreys and Grays we made our way to Edwards
![Stevens circ 15]()
Looking across to Torreys from the Grays - Edwards saddle
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Up some scrambly bits enroute to Edwards
![Stevens circ 17]()
Last pitch to Edwards
![Stevens circ 18]()
Steven's Gulch locals
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Hiking towards McClellan
![Stevens circ 21]()
More Sawtooth views
![Stevens circ 22]()
Our plan after McClellan was to head down this ridge and back to the vehicles at the highway parking lot
![Stevens circ 23]()
Building weather was threatening that plan
![Stevens circ 24]()
Weather over Torreys. It began to thunder and hail
![Stevens circ 25]()
We ended up dropping early and traversing the forest below back to the road
