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Grays Peak

South Ridge
Difficulty Class 2 
Ski/Board: Intermediate+, D4 / R2 / II  
Risk FactorsExposure: Moderate
Rockfall Potential: Moderate  
Route-Finding: Moderate  
Commitment: Moderate  
 
Start11,050 feet
Summit14,275 feet
Total Gain3,250 feet
RT Length7 miles
AuthorBillMiddlebrook
Last UpdatedOct 2022
DownloadsgpxGPX Track
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Trailhead

This trailhead is used to access both Argentine Pass and Horseshoe Basin. Take U.S. 6 to the west end of Keystone. If you are driving east on U.S. 6, take the exit for Montezuma Road before U.S. 6 begins its climb to Loveland Pass. If you are driving west (from Loveland Pass), turn left into the River Run area of the Keystone Ski Resort. Take another quick left and drive a bit to get to the Montezuma Road.

Drive ~4.3 miles on the Montezuma road and turn left on the 260 (dirt) road. There is a large parking area at the start of this road. From the parking area, drive 4.5 miles along Peru Creek to the Argentine Pass trailhead at 11,050', just below the Shoe Basin Mine. The road is gated beyond the trailhead.

Route

From the trailhead ( 1), walk up the road and pass through the gate near the Shoe Mine - 2. Hike approx. 1/3 mile and you should see a sign for Argentine Pass trail, on the right. Pass this junction and continue up the road into Horseshoe Basin - 3 and 4. Pass a road junction at 12,080' ( 5) and continue higher on the main road - 6. Reach the end of the road at 12,300', turn sharply left and follow a trail west - 7 and 8. Traverse up a rocky slope ( 9) and continue to a corner, near 12,400' - 10 and 11.

Taken from Argentine Pass, 12 shows the remaining route to the summit. Walk up to 12,400' to see the summit and the slope leading up to the south ridge - 13. The trail turns northwest and continues towards Grays Lake. Leave the trail and hike west toward the slope below the ridge - 14. Reach a flat area near 13,100' and continue as the terrain begins to get steeper. Stay just right of the slope's left edge to find trail segments leading toward the ridge crest - 15 and 16. Near 13,300', stay left of some ledges and gain the ridge crest at 13,800' - 17. This rocky section is the crux of the route. Once on the ridge, turn right and follow it to the summit - 18 and 19.

Skiing?

The southeast slope holds good snow through late-spring.

Notes

None
#1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 #10 #11 #12 #13 #14 #15 #16 #17 #18 #19

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