Waldorf Wagon Road

This through route travels through the mountains surrounding the Argentine Pass area, transitioning between dense high-elevation forest and open subalpine terrain. The surroundings include thick stands of spruce and fir, scattered pine, low shrubs, willow, grasses, and increasingly open mountain vegetation at higher elevations. Several openings provide impressive views across the surrounding basin and toward the higher peaks. The surface varies considerably, ranging from narrow dirt two-track to long stretches covered with loose and embedded rock. The route is only one vehicle wide with virtually no room to pull over and allow another vehicle to pass, while trees and brush grow close to the roadway in many areas, making pinstriping and paint scratches likely. The route travels through the historic Argentine mining district, where wagon roads were used to reach mines and the settlement of Waldorf before construction of the Argentine Central Railroad in the early 1900s. Several steeper sections are encountered before the route emerges into more open mountain terrain and eventually reconnects with Leavenworth Creek Road. There is no fixed seasonal motorized closure listed for this route, but heavy snow typically limits access during the winter and spring. Summer through early fall generally provides the most reliable access, although lingering snow can remain into early summer and early-season snow may return in the fall.