| Difficulty: | Class 2 Ski/Board: Intermediate+, D4 / R2 / II |
| Risk Factors: | Exposure: Moderate Rockfall Potential: Moderate Route-Finding: Moderate Commitment: Moderate |
| Trailhead: | Argentine Pass |
| Start: | 11,050 feet |
| Summit: | 14,270 feet |
| Total Gain: | 3,250 feet |
| RT Length: | 7.00 miles |
| USGS Quad.: | Grays Peak |
| County Sheriff: | Summit: 970-453-2232 |
| National Forest: | Arapaho |
| Author: | BillMiddlebrook |
| Last Updated: | 7/2019 |
Grays Peak
South Ridge
South Ridge
Climbing mountains is dangerous! Please read the Mountaineering Safety Page and make sure you have a map+compass and can use them effectively. A GPS or cell phone can be very helpful with navigation but you should still be able to use a map+compass in case your device stops working.
(WINTER) HOLD ON! If you don't have much high-elevation, winter climbing experience, be careful in your planning and take a partner. All 14er routes are more difficult and more dangerous in winter.
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Trailhead
This trailhead is used to access both Argentine Pass and Horseshoe Basin. Take U.S. 6 to the west end of Keystone. If you are driving east on U.S. 6, take the exit for Montezuma Road before U.S. 6 begins its climb to Loveland Pass. If you are driving west (from Loveland Pass), turn left into the River Run area of the Keystone Ski Resort. Take another quick left and drive a bit to get to the Montezuma Road.
Drive ~4.3 miles on the Montezuma road and turn left on the 260 (dirt) road. There is a large parking area at the start of this road. From the parking area, drive 4.5 miles along Peru Creek to the Argentine Pass trailhead at 11,050', just below the Shoe Basin Mine. The road is gated beyond the trailhead.
Drive ~4.3 miles on the Montezuma road and turn left on the 260 (dirt) road. There is a large parking area at the start of this road. From the parking area, drive 4.5 miles along Peru Creek to the Argentine Pass trailhead at 11,050', just below the Shoe Basin Mine. The road is gated beyond the trailhead.
Route
From the trailhead (#1), walk up the road and pass through the gate near the Shoe Mine - #2. Hike approx. 1/3 mile and you should see a sign for Argentine Pass trail, on the right. Pass this junction and continue up the road into Horseshoe Basin - #3 and #4. Pass a road junction at 12,080' (#5) and continue higher on the main road - #6. Reach the end of the road at 12,300', turn sharply left and follow a trail west - #7 and #8. Traverse up a rocky slope (#9) and continue to a corner, near 12,400' - #10 and #11.
Taken from Argentine Pass, #12 shows the remaining route to the summit. Walk up to 12,400' to see the summit and the slope leading up to the south ridge - #13. The trail turns northwest and continues towards Grays Lake. Leave the trail and hike west toward the slope below the ridge - #14. Reach a flat area near 13,100' and continue as the terrain begins to get steeper. Stay just right of the slope's left edge to find trail segments leading toward the ridge crest - #15 and #16. Near 13,300', stay left of some ledges and gain the ridge crest at 13,800' - #17. This rocky section is the crux of the route. Once on the ridge, turn right and follow it to the summit - #18 and #19.
Taken from Argentine Pass, #12 shows the remaining route to the summit. Walk up to 12,400' to see the summit and the slope leading up to the south ridge - #13. The trail turns northwest and continues towards Grays Lake. Leave the trail and hike west toward the slope below the ridge - #14. Reach a flat area near 13,100' and continue as the terrain begins to get steeper. Stay just right of the slope's left edge to find trail segments leading toward the ridge crest - #15 and #16. Near 13,300', stay left of some ledges and gain the ridge crest at 13,800' - #17. This rocky section is the crux of the route. Once on the ridge, turn right and follow it to the summit - #18 and #19.
Skiing?
The southeast slope holds good snow through late-spring.
Notes
None
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