
Driving the rough 4×4 road to Argentine Pass in Colorado
Usa, north-america
12.71 km
4,034 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, buckle up, adventurers! We're headed to Argentine Pass, clocking in at a whopping 13,234 feet above sea level in the heart of Colorado! You'll find this bad boy straddling Clear Creek and Summit counties, nestled in the White River National Forest.
Originally a wagon road from way back in 1867, this route (aka County Road 352) stretches for about 7.9 miles from Guanella Pass Road. Forget pavement – it's all about that rugged, unadulterated 4x4 experience here.
Speaking of 4x4, you'll NEED a high-clearance vehicle. Think narrow paths, seriously steep climbs, hairpin turns galore, and rocks, rocks, rocks! We're talking moderate difficulty with a few stream crossings thrown in to keep things interesting. Oversized vehicles should definitely sit this one out.
Keep in mind this is a summer-only adventure. Snow can linger well into the season, so plan accordingly. You can only drive to the pass from the Georgetown side, the other side (Horseshoe Basin) is strictly for hikers and bikers.
The payoff? OMG, the VIEWS! And plenty of parking at the top. Don’t miss the Santiago Mine and Ghost Town (but be respectful, it's private property!). Gaze north for killer views of Grays & Torreys Peaks. On the way back, enjoy the fast and furious ride and amazing views of Peru Creek.
Just a heads up, the climb is real. You're gaining over 3,600 feet from Guanella Pass Road. That's an average gradient of almost 9%! But trust me, the panoramic vistas from the Continental Divide are worth every bump and grind.
Where is it?
Driving the rough 4×4 road to Argentine Pass in Colorado is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 39.9913, -95.3328
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 12.71 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,034 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 39.9913, -95.3328
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