Argentine Pass Trailhead

Posted On: 6/10/2014 By: 14erFred
Info: Access to Peru Creek, Chihuahua Gulch, Horseshoe Basin, and Argentine Pass is closed until further notice. Last week the Snake River washed out a 45-foot length of road just west of the Peru Creek Trailhead, 0.6 miles west of the entrance to the town of Montezuma. The flooding caused severe road damage to a half-mile stretch of road west of the washout site, with the entire south lane destroyed in many spots. Road & Bridge will work throughout the summer to rebuild the washed-out section of road. Access for the general public may remain closed throughout the summer. Summit County officials announced they have closed Montezuma Road until further notice, prohibiting access to trailheads, trails and roads on national forest lands east of the flood site. The closure applies to skiers, snowmobilers, hikers, bikers, off-roaders and all other recreationalists looking to access Peru Creek Trailhead/Peru Creek Road, Chihuahua Gulch Road, Chihuahua Lake Trail, Sts. John Road, Webster Pass Road, Deer Creek Trailhead and Deer Creek Road, Morgan Gulch Road, Cinnamon Gulch Road, Argentine Pass Trail, Lenawee Trail, Warden Gulch Road, access to Grays and Torreys peaks, and the Continental Divide Trail from Grays Peak to Whale Peak. The easternmost turnaround location for vehicles with trailers is at a roadblock 3.12 miles east of the intersection of Highway 6 and Montezuma Road. Recreation-specific updates can be found at the White River National Forest website (www.fs.usda.gov/whiteriver), by navigating to the Alerts and Notices page using the button in the website's upper right column. More information is available by calling the Dillon Ranger District at 970-468-5400.

Posted On: 7/23/2013 By: BobbyFinn
Info: The slide has been cleared. Easy 4WD now.

Posted On: 7/19/2013 By: RobE
Info: Peru Creek Rd is closed after the Cinnamon Pass junction due to a big landslide. The road crew working down lower said it happened Wed, and they don‘t have an estimated time to reopen the road.

Posted On: 7/2/2013 By: BillMiddlebrook
Info: Road open and dry to the trailhead. It‘s a bit rough this year but good-clearance vehicles should be OK.

Posted On: 5/29/2013 By: TravelingMatt
Info: Still gated. Snowfields start past the first creek crossing and become continuous above the turnoff near the Pennsylvania Mine. Still a ways to go.

Posted On: 5/17/2013 By: TravelingMatt
Info: Gated at Montezuma Road. Wouldn‘t count on it opening by Memorial Day.

Posted On: 11/30/2012 By: BillMiddlebrook
Info: Still open (4WD) to the upper trailhead. The road had some icy patches and packed snow, but I had no problem driving all the way to the Argentine Pass trailhead in my 4WD pickup. I doubt it will be open after the next major snowfall.

Posted On: 10/20/2012 By: TravelingMatt
Info: Still open and passable to TH, upper half is 4wd/clearance as always. About 60% dry with the remainder mud/snow/ice. Does not impede driving too much but watch the road and take it slowly where necessary. Last mile or so to parking area is almost completely dry.

Posted On: 10/3/2012 By: MTGOAT72
Info: Trek to the Waldorf Mine may be quite an experience for you. The road is rough but passable with a standard SUV with high clearance and 4WD. I drove in my Chevy Blazer in 4WD from the pavement to the mine. Make sure to stay on FS248-1 NOT 1B this will lead you to a creek bed. I would do the drive in the daylight for the first time to prevent navigation issues like I had. Lots of traffic on the weekend 30+ vehicles, be prepared on the narrows.

TR:
http://www.coloradoascents.blogspot.com/2012/10/argentine-peak.html

Posted On: 8/24/2012 By: ryanmicj
Info: Went up here in a Subaru Outback on Sunday 8/19. Road was dry as a bone, except in a few low spots where water was running across the road through ruts. Lots of loose rock and gravel in spots, which would have caused a 2WD car to slip, but AWD seemed sufficient to get through. The road is wide enough to maneuver around some of the bigger obstacles, but decent clearance is recommended.

Posted On: 7/19/2012 By: ameristrat
Info: Went up to the TH yesterday in my 2WD Xterra. High clearance is an absolute necessity on this road. I don‘t think I would try it in any les than an xterra. areas in the road are heavily rutted and there are some large dips and rocks to contend with. The road is wide enough to skirt around the worst parts usually, but I would say this is borderline 4WD - I slipped in a few parts and had a to hit a few obstacles with momentum to avoid getting stuck. Not too much water on the road, but almost all of the dips had water in them.
The moral of the story is - CLEARANCE NEEDED.

Posted On: 6/1/2012 By: TravelingMatt
Info: Open and mostly dry to the summer trailhead. Some minor puddles and runoff. You want to park where there is a loop on the left side of the road and an old building visible a couple hundred feet ahead in the valley to the right. Beyond that is gated with no place to turn around. Road is rougher than I remember -- high-clearance will be OK, Subarus may have a few issues but should make it all the way and cars are no go after about halfway up.

Posted On: 5/22/2012 By: TravelingMatt
Info: The gate at Montezuma Road was opened today. Didn‘t go back there so not sure how far back you can drive. Other roads in the Montezuma area (Webster Pass, Deer Creek) are still gated.

Posted On: 7/10/2011 By: rsincavage
Info: Lots of water running down the road for the last 2 miles, as mentioned. All the erosion is making fairly substantial gullies in several spots- the worst one is about 1 mile from the trailhead. I didn‘t risk it in my Xterra as it was already getting late in the morning, but I saw a few guys make it through (after much contemplation and discussion) later in the day with a Tacoma (I think).

Posted On: 7/1/2011 By: 14erFred
Info: Dillon Ranger District states the Peru Creek road (FR 260) is now open. There is water running down the road for the last 2 miles below the Shoe Mine. But the road is reportedly passable for 4WD.