Argentine Peak

Argentine Pass trailhead is a gateway to several hikes in Horseshoe Basin. Gray's Peak via Horseshoe Basin Trail #260.2b, Argentine Pass Trail #77, Argentine Pass to Mount Edwards are all possibilities. It's also perfect to just hike up the basin to old mines, or Gray's Lake. Argentine Peak is one of Colorado's Bicentennials, currently listed at 13,734 feet, and is accessible from this trailhead. To get there from Keystone take Montezuma Road to Peru Creek Road. This is rough, and if you have clearance it is reassuring, but cars can make it, just go cautiously. Argentine Pass Trailhead is maybe a 20-minute drive, at the end of the road where the vista into Horseshoe Basin opens before you. There is a parking area for 15-20 cars, and it can fill up, but you can park on the side of the road. There is a gate to keep motorized vehicles out of the Basin. Be reassured that even if the lot is full, folks spread out once they leave their cars, and it is very likely that you'll have most of your hike to yourself. Take the old mining road about 1/2 a mile, past the gate/Shoebox Mine, turn right at the Argentine Pass sign, and cross the bridge through the willows. The trail rises gently past tree line, and then you are treated to long switchbacks which rise moderately up and around the side of Argentine Peak to Argentine Pass. This trail was once an old wagon road, so the grade is fairly gentle. It is narrow in a couple of spots, but it is well-used and obvious. Although the elevation can be a challenge if you are not used to it, the trail is NOT scary, so don't be afraid to ascend. The distance to the actual pass is about 2.5 miles, and the geo marker puts the pass at 13,207 feet, the highest on the Continental Divide. Once there, turn right and look across the ridge to Argentine Peak. It looks rolling and fairly easy, but there are four ups and downs before summiting, and the biggest "bump" is the roughest with class 2 areas. There is not much of a trail, but you'll see spots where others have tread. You can't miss it, just keep aiming at the peak. The summit is flat and marked with a Continental Divide Trail sign. The view is fabulous. You can extend your hike further along the CDT, or cross Squaretop to Guanella Pass or just retrace your route.