Afternoon storm risk is the line that matters. Everything else is comfort. In summer, plan to be off the ridge before the build-up starts, not as it starts. Forecast for the summit point, adjusted for its elevation · data from Open-Meteo.
Centennial 13er · Southwest Ridge
Overview
Mount Edwards is a high point on the Continental Divide just east of Grays Peak. This route starts on the Peru Creek side near Keystone, climbs the historic Argentine Pass trail to the Divide, then follows the ridge north over a couple of bumps to the summit. The round trip is about 8 miles with about 2,950 feet of gain.
The trail to the pass is an old wagon route cut into the side of Argentine Peak. It is steady and mostly easy, but it crosses loose gullies and has steep slopes below it in places. Above the pass, the ridge is open Class 2 walking on tundra, rubble and scree, with the Divide dropping away on both sides. There is no scrambling, but you are high and exposed to weather for about two miles.
This is a good route for hikers moving up from easy 14ers. Most parties take 5 to 7 hours. Wind on the Divide is common, and the ridge is a bad place to be when storms roll in.
Plan of the day
Start by
By 6 a.m. You reach treeline in about a mile and spend the rest of the climb in the open, including a long stretch on the Divide.
Turnaround
Be at Argentine Pass by 10 a.m. If you are late, or if clouds are building over the Divide, go no farther than the pass.
Crux
Nothing technical. The hardest parts are the rough, loose gully crossing near 12,800 feet on the pass trail and the final 350-foot climb to the summit.
Route-finding
The trail to the pass is clear and signed at the start. Watch for the sharp left turn near 11,800 feet where the trail heads north across Argentine Peak's slopes. On the ridge, just stay on the crest heading north.
Water
Peru Creek and small streams low on the trail. There is no water above about 12,000 feet. Filter anything you collect; this valley has a long history of mining.
From US 6 at the west end of Keystone, take Montezuma Road. After about 4.3 miles, turn left onto Road 260, a dirt road, at a large parking area. Many people park here in early season.
Drive about 4.5 miles up the Peru Creek road to the Argentine Pass trailhead near the Shoe Basin Mine, where the road is gated. The road is dirt and can be rough and rutted; a vehicle with some clearance is best. Parking at the gate is limited, so arrive early on weekends.
RidgeTundraTalus and screeExposed to lightning
The line is elevation, the band underneath is the ground, and the numbered dots match the steps below. Mileage and elevations are approximate.
1
Argentine Pass trailhead 11,050' · 0 mi
Park near the gate by the Shoe Basin Mine. Walk northeast up the road past the gate. Old mine buildings and tailings are nearby.
Watch for: Stay out of mine buildings and openings.
2
Argentine Pass trail turnoff 11,100' · 0.5 mi
Turn right onto the marked Argentine Pass trail.
Watch for: Easy to walk past the turnoff; watch for the sign.
3
Peru Creek bridge 11,100' · 0.6 mi
Cross Peru Creek on a bridge. The trail then winds through willows.
4
Treeline 11,600' · 1.2 mi
The trail traverses a slope and leaves the last trees near 11,600 feet. Argentine Peak's big west slopes rise above.
5
Sharp left turn 11,800' · 1.5 mi
Above 11,800 feet, the trail turns sharply left and heads north, angling up across the west side of Argentine Peak on the old road cut.
6
First gully 12,300' · 2 mi
Cross the first of two gullies. The trail is narrow in spots, with steep slopes below.
Watch for: Steep slopes below the trail.
7
Second gully 12,800' · 2.5 mi
The second gully is rougher and looser near 12,800 feet. Step carefully across the loose rock.
Watch for: Loose rock; can hold hard snow in early summer.
8
Argentine Pass 13,207' · 3 mi
Climb the last long stretch to the pass on the Continental Divide. The view opens east into the Leavenworth Creek valley and the old Waldorf mine area. Turn left (north) along the ridge toward Edwards.
Watch for: Decision point: turn back here if storms are building.
9
Point 13,484 13,484' · 3.4 mi
Walk north up the ridge to an unnamed high point. The ridge is broad tundra and rubble. The Divide drops away on both sides.
Watch for: Strong wind is common on the Divide.
10
Ridge bump 13,500' · 3.6 mi
Continue over Point 13,484 and a second bump about half a mile from the summit. Grays and Torreys rise to the west.
11
Final pitch 13,600' · 3.8 mi
The last 350 feet climb more steeply on scree and rock. Take your time.
12
Mount Edwards summit 13,860' · 4 mi
The top gives close views of Grays, Torreys and Kelso Mountain, and Stevens Gulch far below. Argentine Pass and your route along the ridge are behind you to the south.
Turn right onto Argentine Pass Trail / Continental Divide National Scenic Trail
Here Horseshoe Basin Road goes off to the left. Turn right to follow Argentine Pass Trail / Continental Divide National Scenic Trail.
Coming down: Turn left to stay on Peru Creek Road. Don’t take Horseshoe Basin Road.
2Mile 2.8 · 13,040'
Keep going straight to stay on Continental Divide National Scenic Trail
Here Argentine Pass Road goes off to the right. Keep going straight on Continental Divide National Scenic Trail.
Coming down: Keep going straight on Argentine Pass Trail / Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. Don’t take Argentine Pass Road.
Landmarks to know
The gate and Shoe Basin Mine at the trailhead.
The signed Argentine Pass trail turnoff and the Peru Creek bridge.
A sharp left turn near 11,800 feet onto the old road cut.
Two gullies crossing the trail, the second rough and loose.
Argentine Pass on the Continental Divide.
Point 13,484 and a second bump on the ridge.
Grays and Torreys close by to the west from the summit.
Getting down
Return the same way. Walk south along the ridge over the two bumps to Argentine Pass. In cloud, make sure you turn down at the pass and not onto the Waldorf side to the east; the trail down to Peru Creek heads west and south.
On the pass trail, take care at the second gully near 12,800 feet, where loose rock is easy to slip on. Do not cut switchbacks or short-cut down the steep slopes below the trail. Below treeline, cross the bridge and follow the road back to the gate.
If things go wrong
Argentine Pass is the key bail point; from there the trail drops quickly toward treeline. On the ridge, go back south to the pass rather than dropping off the sides, which are steep and lead into other valleys. If lightning starts, get off the ridge and keep moving down the pass trail. If someone is hurt, the Peru Creek road below the gate allows vehicles to get close. Call 911; many people hike in this area on summer weekends, so others may be able to help.
3D flyover
Press play to fly the Southwest Ridge. The graph shows elevation along the way and how much you gain each mile. Open full screen.
For planning only. The line is traced from open map data, not walked in the field, and off-trail parts are drawn straight. Load it in your GPS app to see the route, but navigate with your eyes, a map and the route description.
See the trail on video
A climb of this route filmed by The Virtual sherpa. The video belongs to them and only plays when you press play.
Jump to
Other routes
Every way up Mount Edwards we list, with its class.
This describes the route on a dry summer day. Snow, ice, a washed-out road or an afternoon storm can make it a very different climb. Check recent conditions the week you go and turn around when the day tells you to.