Argentine North Fork Trail

Park in the Arapahoe Basin parking area. The trailhead is right in the middle of the main base area, just left of the Black Mountain Express chairlift. The first half of this trail winds back and forth via switchbacks through the lower part of the mountain, alternately taking you through shady forested stretches and open meadows with stunning mountain views. The grade is relatively easy through the first half of the trail. Once you get to the mid-mountain lodge you leave the singletrack and start a bit of a slog up a summer road (the summer road does extend to the bottom of the mountain, but A-Basin has created a much nicer trail below this point). The grade is much steeper here in sections, and there's no shade. The views are still gorgeous, and if skiing is your thing you'll enjoy the summer stroll through the ski area. The top of the trail rewards you with views to Breckenridge and Keystone off the back of the ridge. Once you've made your way back down you can enjoy a bite at A-Basin's 6th Alley Grill, which is open on summer weekend afternoons. They're also very accommodating to pups and will let you tie up your dog on the deck while you eat.