Argentine Pass Hike 10/21/2016
This CDT hike was on the Argentine Pass Trail from the Peru Creek
trailhead to the 13,000 foot level on Argentine Pass.  It was a 4.7 mile
roundtrip hike from the 11,097' level for a total vertical climb of 1,903'.
The Peru Creek valley south of Grays Peak (right).
The view to the west.
A look back as we cross treeline.
The Argentine Pass Trail
trailhead.  The trail is part of the
Continental Divide Trail system.
Starting up the trail the scene is
of Peru Creek valley.  It is full of
abandoned mines.  To the north
is Grays Peak.
The Peru Creek crossing is near
the Argentine Pass trailhead.
The road (214) ended by the
Shoe Basin Mine.  There is a
large parking lot near here.
The trail becomes snow covered.
We start back.
The road followed Peru Creek.  It
was white from ice and alkaline.
Ruby Mountain (left) and Grays
Peak (right) as we go above
12,000'.
The Argentine Pass Trail is
visible on the far mountainside.  
Photo from Morgan Peak.
We pass a rock slide.
Panoramic to the west.
South of Grays Peak is a barely
visible un-named lake.
To the west is Morgan Peak.  It is
the peak in the center right.  
Photo from Argentine Pass Trail.
Panoramic of Ruby Mountain
(13,277') and Grays Peak (14,270').
The CDT trail always is narrow
and follows the cliffside.
One last panoramic of the
valley west of Grays Peak.  
Note the parking lot and Shoe
Basin Mine.
The Peru Creek valley to the
south of Grays Peak.
Morgan Peak-- left peak.
Photo from the Peru Creek
Valley parking lot.
Maid of Orleans Mine is just one
of dozens of abandoned mines in
the Peru Creek Valley.
Last weeks hike was to Morgan Peak--Montezuma 4WD.
Argentina Pass stops at the
ridge.  Photo by Dave.
Near the end of the CDT formal
trail.  Photo by Dave.