Even after a six year hiatus from exploring and enjoying Argentine Pass, i’ts still one of my favorite trails to explore on the Front Range: close to Denver, great vistas and lots of great mining history. Argentine Pass is Located off the Guenella Pass Road outside Georgetown, CO. Back in 2003/2004 when I was Event Coordinator for the club, I helped get Argentine Pass adopted. Working with Brant, and the Clear Creek Ranger District. It’s been a positive experience for the club, with Brant and Clear Creek often calling Rising Sun to help recover some stuck vehicle or just sending us out on our own “you guys know what to do” on a clean up day for Argentine Pass, as they are busy with other pressing items.

The East Argentine Mining District, Waldorf and the Argentine Central:

Silver was discovered in the valley in 1864 by former Provisional Governor Robert Steele and partners James Huff and Robert Layton.  The valley would become known as the East Argentine Mining District. At 13,207ft, Argentine Pass is the highest vehicle accessible pass in the state. A toll road over the pass was started in 1869, and would later be bought by Clear Creek and Summit county as a public highway.

The old town site of Waldorf laid claims to have the highest post office in the US at the time at 11,666 ft.  Waldorf was one of the main hubs for the valley, just up the hill is the Santiago Mine and Mill.  Edward J Wilcox had numerous mining interest within the valley, consolidating them in 1902 to form the Waldorf Mining and Milling company.

In 1905, work began on the Argentine central Railroad, financed by Wilcox.  From the depot in Silver Plume, the construction crews were able to make it to Waldorf before winter set in.  The next season they would continue on to McClelland Mt, at 13,587ft.  Laying claim to be the highest railroad at the time.  Grades were steep on the Argentine Central.  Thus, “Shay’s” or geared locomotives were used.   The silver crash of 1907 would ultimately ruin Wilcox.  But other owners would soon take over the Argentine Central.   One owner having a grand plan to extend the Argentine Central to Grays Peak, 14,270ft.  Building a “Grand spotlight and Hotel” at the top of the peak. The railroad was ultimatly abandoned in 1919.

Along the main road to the old town site of Waldorf. Travis and I stopped to close off an illegal route. Feel like we have done this before.

Closing off some illegal, user created sections at the old townsite of Waldorf. Once claiming to have the highest Post Office in the US, at 11,600Fft.

Recent Survey Marker- 2018.

Mountain Goats atop Argentine Pass- 13,207ft.

Mechanical Mountain Goats atop Argentine Pass- 13,207ft.

Peru Creek Basin and onward to Montezuma and Keystone.

Peru Creek Basin.

Mt. Edwards.

Heading back down Argentine Pass and lower elevation.

My ’99 4runner.

Indian Paintbrush.

Looking East.

Fireweed,

Climbing up the old grade of the Argentine Central Railroad to McClelland Mt.

End of the line for the Argentine Central Railroad. Once claiming to have the highest Railroad in the US at 13,587ft. You could hop on a train at Union Station and end up here for a day excursion. The Argentine Central also claimed to be the only Railroad to not operate on Sunday’s. Along with his mining interest’s, Mr. Wilcox was a pastor. 

Torrey’s ( 14,267ft ) in the distance.

South towards Evan’s and Bierstadt.

 Grizzly Gulch?

Me, far off in the distance. Photo credit: Travis Rodgers.

Gray’s (14,270ft) and Torrey’s (14,267ft) peaks. Popular 14’rs folks from Denver like to hike. The second owner of the Argentine Central had grand plans to extend the line from McClellan Mt to Gray’s Peak. Building a hotel at the new end of the line (atop Gray’s Peak) with a grand spotlight lighting up the valley. They got as far as a survey for the extension. 

 Overlooking the I-70 corridor. 

Honeybadger.

Even with 285’s, I feel small. 

Looking NW. 

About here where the Honeybadger came upon two Badgers. Mean critters! 

One of these day’s i’m just going to hike over to that miners cabin and check it out..

We headed to the other side of the Valley (access via the powerline/stagecoach rd) to check on some closures and take in the grand views. Always loved this spot. 

End.