Overview
Argentine Peak sits on the Continental Divide south of Argentine Pass, above Keystone. From the end of the Peru Creek road, the Argentine Pass Trail climbs to the pass, and you follow the Divide south to the summit.
It is Class 2: good trail to the pass, then faint trail along the ridge with a short, steep drop after a 13,449-foot bump.
The round trip is about 7.5 miles with 3,000 feet of gain.
Plan of the day
By 6:30 a.m.
Be at Argentine Pass by 10:30 a.m.
A short, steep downclimb past the 13,449-foot bump.
Easy. Trail to the pass, then follow the Divide south.
Peru Creek near the start. Filter it.
Getting to the trailhead
Argentine Pass (Peru Creek)
From US 6 at the west end of Keystone, take the Montezuma Road (from Loveland Pass, turn in at the River Run area and turn left to reach it). Drive about 4.3 miles and turn left on dirt road 260, where there is a large parking area.
Follow Peru Creek 4.5 miles to the trailhead, about 11,050 feet, below the old Shoe Basin Mine. A gate closes the road past this point.
Base towns and camping for this climb
Coming from out of state? See Lodging & Camping for how free camping works, what is closed this year and where to stay.
Before you go
Check these the week of your climb.
Official forecast
The National Weather Service forecast for the summit area, hour by hour. Look for thunderstorm chances and wind above treeline.
NWS point forecast →Directions to the trailhead
Argentine Pass (Peru Creek). Road conditions near the trailhead change after storms. Check your clearance and have a backup plan for a lower lot.
Get directions →Roads and highways
Closures, construction and winter conditions on the highways that get you there.
COtrip road conditions →Closures and fire rules
Trail closures, fire bans and other alerts from the Forest Service in Colorado. For the latest on your trailhead, call the local ranger district.
Forest Service alerts →Snow on the route?
From fall through early summer, any snow slope can slide. Check the avalanche forecast before you go.
Avalanche forecast →Cell signal
Most trailheads and many summits have little or no signal. Check coverage near the trailhead and carry a satellite messenger or beacon if you can.
FCC coverage map →