On a whim today, I scooped up my two boys and decided to hit up Argentine Pass. The trail was in decent shape, but erosion continues to make it more and more rocky each year.
Things were busy today, much busier than the last couple of times I've gone up there and was essentially alone. Saw a group of 5 Heeps on their way down, a liberty (lol), and a few stock pickups in the early switchbacks. Further up, it was just me and a couple of ATV's and dirt bikes. Trail was open this time around, all the way up to Waldorf Mine (no snow). I ran it alone today, so only poser pics I'm afraid.
Co-pilot and navigator on board
The trail is heavily wooded for the first 3-4 miles or so, with the majority of the rough patches near the switchbacks at the beginning. After you get past the various camping turn-off's, you get into the lesser used portion of the trail.
Things start opening up once you get up in the 12,000ft range
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At the top of the trail around 12,800 or so, there is what remains of the old abandoned Waldorf Silver Mine. I really wish I had something better than my phone to take pictures to capture the depth of the basin...a DSLR would be worth it's weight in gold up here. Clearly I'm not a photographer but better quality shots would be great. Notice the old mining equipment still present - most of it actually still moves.
One the way back down, a nice glimpse of Leavenworth Creek (drinkable and clear...despite the ugly steel drainage tubes visible), and Guanella Pass.
Finally, I lost both my co-pilot and my navigator on the return trip somewhere along I-70, between Idaho Springs and Floyd Hill...I guess bouncing around on the rocks all afternoon took it's toll.
