Argentine Pass 4x4 Road, Colorado

Hiking in Colorado

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Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 16.3 miles / 26 km
Duration: Half day

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Overview: Incredible views from 13,132-ft. Argentine Pass and top of McClellan Mountain. Don’t miss historic buildings at Santiago Mine and Ghost Town. Many legal side roads to explore. Great area for unlicensed vehicles. Numerous tourist attractions in quaint Georgetown. Check out new visitor center near freeway exit. High Point 13,132 ft., Best time to go: Mid July thru September. Located in Arapaho National Forest. For current conditions call Clear Creek Ranger District (303) 567-3000

Rating:

Moderate. Rocky at the start and very narrow at the top of Argentine Pass. Much of the lower route is easy unless you take alternate route 248.1B along creek. Snow can block trail well into summer. Follow an old railroad grade to top of McClellan Mountain. Need aggressive stock SUV with low range.

This trail is one of 100 trails from the book Guide to Colorado Backroads & 4WD Trails by FunTreks Publishing, available at http://www.funtreks.com

Tips: New construction along Highway 381 should be completed. It was still underway when we were there. Not sure how this may have affected the entrance to the trail, but GPS should get you there.

Trail conditions can change without notice. FunTreks, Inc. and its owner and employees are not responsible for injury, death, or vehicle damage as a result of using this guide. The content of this guide is the property of FunTreks, Inc. and is made available to the user pursuant to EveryTrail’s Terms of Service (http://www.everytrail.com/tos.php).

Points of Interest

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Start of Trail

Drive through Georgetown and follow signs towards Guanella Pass. After a few miles you’ll go around a tight switchback to the left. Watch for the trail on the right. Our photo was taken before reconstruction of Highway 381. As you start up the trail it soon splits. We took the higher road marked 248.1. A more difficult lower road, marked 248.1B, follows a creek.

View of start before new construction Photo

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Waldorf Site

Waldorf is just a big flat area of mine tailings. One small shed houses some equipment. Continue south past Waldorf to reach Argentine Pass.

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Argentine Pass

The road gets very narrow at the top as you climb above 13,000 ft. Great views of Peru Creek looking down from the top. Note rocky hiking trail that goes down the other side. Return to Waldorf and head north uphill on continuing 248.1.

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Santiago Ghost Town

Follow the tracklog to the left at first opportunity. There are many roads in this area that go the wrong way. Once you arrive at the town, please stay back from the buildings and take only pictures. There’s a large flat area to park. When finished, return to the main trail and continue north to McClelland Mountain following an old railroad grade. Trains didn’t make the tight turns; they went past each switchback and alternated backing up. See our book “Guide to Colorado Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails, 3rd Edition,” for the amazing history of this area. (Available at www.funtreks.com)

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Top of McClelland Mountain

The road curls over the top and, at first, appears to continue down the other side. IT DOESN’T. STOP AT THE TOP! As you head back down, consider a side trip north on 248.2I where the first big switchback turns right. This fun trail ends at a viewpoint above I-70.