This trip was one of our better planned adventures into the great outdoors. We set off on a Friday afternoon around 4:30 PM and then reached the campsite via the summit trail around 7:00 PM. We then all set off on the task to prepare camp. All was usual; including our common occurrence of not getting the water filters to work in the nearby stream. Just after some of the members of our group began to retire for the night my friend Tom recommenced somewhat sarcastically that we summit Grey Rock that night. Well I took this as a serious offer and before we knew it we were off. This took place just after midnight, and we reached the summit about 1 and a half hours later. Staying up there for a little while we decided to return to camp that night. After our very late night it was an early or seemingly early wake up call to get on the trail so we could drive up the road to do some rock climbing. All in all it was a great trip and I recommend the Summit trail over the meadows trail any day. 3/28-3/29/2014

Likability 9/10 One of the best areas I have ever been in relations to how close it is to civilization. Summit Trail is better in my opinion.

Possibly the greatest true last second trip I will ever have notched in my belt. What's better then after a late dinner deciding a night hike would be an awesome way to conclude the day? Well it was much better than any regular night hike. Oh my, the night did not end as expected, but great trips never go completely as planned. We began the hike near Grey Rock like my last trip, but we decided it would be just epic to go all the way to the top of Grey Rock this time. At around 11:00 PM we reached the peak of Grey Rock, and boy was it rewarding. We were not done yet not even close we decided it was too great a chance to have a monumental night to not stay up there all night, and wait for sunrise and the awe inspiring views it would provide. It was a long night, but with great company, and the types of fog the gives both a majestic and terrifying experience it was just an amazing night. The fog as not just that but when the moon was finally bright enough to see the scale of the fog movements; it appeared as if we were on a tiny island in a massive sea with waves of fog that would overtake us all night. The fire being our only thing to keep us from the chill of the fog. Only getting better as the night wore on, and then it a climaxed with appearance of the sun giving us some just jaw dropping views of the horizon that could only be provided by our location and weather all coming together at the right time. After all that we still had to leave and that was a great hike out looking at the views afforded us by the sun that we could not have seen in the night. 2/22-2/23/2014

Likability 11/10 If you ever get the chance to summit Grey Rock in the dark with low clouds do it. This was easily at top 3 views and experiences of mine in the great outdoors.

What a great trip it was. Not only was this my first time backpacking to Grey Rock it was my first time ever backpacking in Colorado. It began at about 1:00 AM the night of Friday the 14th of February, 2014. I was heading back to my dorm stopped by a friend’s room where they were preparing to go on the trip. We got to talking and I asked to go and it was settled I was going along. I rushed back to my room to get my gear together. By 2:00 I was confident I was ready to go; so I set my alarms and tried to get some much needed sleep. 7:30 AM cam far too early, but that is all part of the thrill of getting to go into the great outdoors. Got over to one of the dining halls had a little to eat. I then waited for everyone to get ready which was all done by about 9:00 AM. Then we were off to go get some food; Followed by the 40 minute drive to the trail head. Then everyone pilled on their gear and got together for a group photo; after the photo we set off up the trail. The hike ended up being a near non- stop elevation gain of a hike. It was beautiful the entire way up especially with some winds and storm clouds providing so amazing scenery in motion. Once we reached camp everyone set off to task to get camp prepared, and that was made so easy with 7 people in your party. After all of the camp necessities were accomplished we began to better the campsite adding another bench and a second fire pit (trench); among other things like taking in the great views of Grey Rock. When not obscured by clouds of course. Dinner: had to be the best backpacking meal I have ever had. It included: kabobs, beans, and many other items I had never before considered backpacking food. Fire one of my most enjoyable parts of the outdoor experience. For which we had the one of the most majestic nightfall backdrops; that included a fog that would roll in and be denser than most I have been in previously, and a great view of the moon and a myriad of stars through the tree canopy. Next morning everyone blew off our thoughts of hiking to the top of a nearby ridge. This led to a lazy morning around a campfire. It all got much more interesting when by luck or skill (probably some of both) my friends Luke hit and killed a bird with a sling shot. This led me and him to pluck it and remove the two tiny pieces of breast meat. Leading us to cook them, and boy did the taste surprise; I would say it was a lot like venison with a hint of chicken of course. All was good, but it was time to begin our hike back to civilization. Which began much as all other hikes do with work and the shedding of layers. This hike though would end in an interesting way; once we had crested the main ridge of the hike we were hit by some of the strongest wind I have ever been outdoors in. This made the hike all the more memorable with a crouch when facing the wind and short sprints when going with the wind. All the better had a great time with great friends.  2/15-2/16/2014

Likability 8.5/10 I took the meadow loop on this trip and looking back it was not as much fun but had better views than the Summit trial.