Trail Overview

This is an out-and-back trail;the back side of Argentine Pass is limited to foot traffic for descending down into Peru Creek. The trail begins right outside Georgetown on Guanella Pass. Begin up FS 248.1 right next to a beautiful waterfall, and be sure to take some pictures. The trail has some small rock obstacles in the first quarter mile. If you can navigate these rocks, you'll be able to complete the trail. The trail crosses a beautiful stream with good waterfall pictures and dispersed camping spots. The trail will continue up a few switchbacks, then head into some aspen groves, great for fall viewing. This is the longest stretch of the trail with dispersed camping spots throughout. You'll exit the aspens at the Waldorf Mine site. At the Waldorf site, you'll have a couple of options to either continue up Argentine Pass or head up McClellan Mountain. The trail becomes slightly more difficult going up Argentine Pass with larger rock obstacles, but there is a bypass. There's a tight switchback towards the top, upon the final ascent. Look for vehicles coming down and wait for them because the trail gets narrow. Once you ascend the top of Argentine Pass, you'll have a spectacular view of multiple 14ers and Peru Creek.

Photos of Argentine Pass

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Difficulty

There are large rocks requiring high ground clearance. This is off-camber driving. There are tight switchbacks and it's narrow.

History

Waldorf Mine site hosted the highest post office in the U.S. (no longer there). In the late 1890s, a railroad would take tourists to the Waldorf Mine and later up McClennan Mountain to the former Ice Palace, an old mining tunnel filled with ice.

Technical Rating

J P

Oct 06, 2026

2025 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road

Open

Normal

Beautiful early fall day. Still some yellow aspens. Got some snow and lightning atop Argentine Pass. No snow accumulation while I was there. Stock ‘25 Tacoma Trd Off Road, 6’ bed. Challenging spots for me were the first right turn uphill at the start of the trail. The bouldery spot a couple minutes up the pass from the Waldorf site, and the final switch back near the top of the pass. Made it through these spots totally fine (almost) with a little scouting and proper line choice. I felt the trickiest one was the bouldery spot just above Waldorf. All the spots were super fun. Picture posted shows me coming down the bouldery spot. While going up it I initially tried to force a line to the right hand side, despite a scraping step (against my better judgement) and I ended up ripping off the step! Oops! Oh well, those things are just an annoyance that rarely get used for their intended purpose anyway. Gotta do the other three now! Cool mining stuff. Only saw two others. Great day out. Sign in pic is start of route.

J V

Oct 03, 2026

2014 Jeep Wrangler

Open

Normal

Overall a pretty normal “leaf peeping season” crowd out today. Took wagon road up, main Argentine down. A few spots were busy enough to have to find a squeeze by, worst of which was on a skinny corner with 3 SBS on the way up with us headed down. 3 rigs, including our stock JK 2 door that took every “hard” line the trail put in front of us. Great day, with some color still left at lower elevations of the trail; most any aspen higher up was already totally leafed out. Get it while you can!

Stephen Lapinski

Sep 26, 2026

2016 Toyota 4Runner

Open

Normal

Great family day out! Met some really nice people at the mid point and then also met some very grumpy sxs/atv owners. Really don’t understand how you could possibly have such a bad day when you are out in the mountains! Trail was in great shape and for sure the last weekend to enjoy the aspens. Lots of good spur trails, so make sure you download the area before you go.

Michael Dare

Sep 21, 2026

2021 Jeep Wrangler

Temporarily Closed

Closed on Monday 9/21/26 for power line work.

Kevin Parker

Sep 20, 2026

Open

Normal

Excellent trail for a quick weekend day trip, especially for fall foliage. Rough in spots but overall very moderate

Jake Tomasko

Sep 12, 2026

2006 Lexus GX470

Open

Normal

Trail was in good condition. Probably saw around 6-8 other people. Aspens are starting to change so super pretty. My mostly stock GX handled with no issues.

Mike Shull

Sep 05, 2026

Open

Normal

What an amazing view!

Loren P

Sep 02, 2026

2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon

Open

NormalDusty

Nice trip up and back without much other traffic. Crux was the last switchback before the top. A lot of fun on a great day to be out.

Ben V

Aug 08, 2026

2022 Ford Bronco

Open

NormalDusty

Jzog

Aug 02, 2026

Open

Normal

Trails was moderately in Use- Made it up to the CDT turn around Argentine Pass just up past the mine. 2014 Jk 2dr With my 1YO in a Car seat and 7YO - The girls loved it. Was hoping it would connect up and over- Beautiful evening! The Entry to this trail is deceptive- Starts off chunky and chills out. I want to come back to Camp! Beautiful.

Greg guili

Jul 29, 2026

Open

Normal

Bronco badlands made easy work of the trail. We made it to the to around noon and the lightning was approaching so we hurried off. Amazing views.

Brian Mygrants

Jul 27, 2026

Open

NormalMuddy/Wet

Awesome trail great views little roughy in the beginning but well worth the drive. Started raining about 3/4 of the way back making the trail a river/waterfall made the rest of the drive interesting.

Forrest Botdorf

Jul 27, 2026

Open

Normal

If you’re reading some BS post about how the beginning is the hardest part, you’re in for a long day. 100% a trail for 4x4, this one I did on a 250cc dual sport, horrible choice of vehicle. STAY TO THE RIGHT going up, I mistakenly went left, OH MY GOD!! I’ve done black diamond trails but it was a nightmare on a heavy weight low cc dual sport, literally a waterfall of boulders for MILES! Horrible experience going the wrong way, pay attention to what route you’re on. Difficultly at the start I’d say 2-3/10, top is closer to 8.5/10. With a 4x4 it would be 5 MILLION times easier, absolutely would NOT recommend doing this trail on a dirt bike unless you like technical rock gardens cause that’s

jack brown

Jul 17, 2026

Open

NormalMuddy/WetRough/Deteriorated

Completely clear all the way to the top. Did it in a stock jeep wrangler JL. Hardest part is in the beginning due to washouts. Other than that its completely doable. There were puddles and Waterhouse everywhere due to the rain we ran into. Great trail.

Dan Guajardo

Jun 26, 2026

Open

Rough the first few miles from washout from recent rains but passable. Made it up in our stock Tacoma. Past Waldorf mine to top of pass also rough and washed out. We chose to turn around. Use caution.