The Grayrock Peak hike is an awesome day hike that gets you up on an impressive mountain right against the plains. The views are incredible and best of all you get a stunning view of the mountain standing all by itself just about a mile before you reach the summit. It is a bald, steep looking peak, and looks extremely hard to climb. It's not, and since the hike is short (about 3.5 miles one way) it is a great peak to take first-timers to. We took a friend who was here from sea level, and he made it up no problem.

The peak is just west of Fort Collins; you take 14 West from the city a little over 10 miles until you see a sign for the Greyrock Mountain parking area. You cross the highway and start up a gradual trail that climbs steadily until the last mile, where it gets more steep. You have the option of making the return a loop hike, and adding about 2 miles to the total length. Another nice thing about this hike is you get some nice views along the way, not just at the summit. There are streams you follow on the lower part, and little lakes right near the summit. These would be an excellent place to camp, and I am sure many people do camp near the summit. Be warned it can get very windy; one time we had to summit on hands and knees to avoid being blown over.

As I mentioned earlier, the summit gives fantastic view of the plains, and you have the thrill of standing on a several hundred foot cliff off to one side.