Argentine Pass & McClellan - August 9

[Jim]

Posting for Trent:

Argentine Pass and McClellan trail run.

Meet in Georgetown at 9:45 at the visitor center, air down / disconnect, and rolling by 10:00 am.

CB 4 (optional, recommended)

As of 7/29/2019, Argentine is not passable all the way to the top. McClellan is supposedly passable to the summit already. Hopefully by August 9th, both are clear for a full ascent. We'll run what we can.

RSVP:
www.FrontRange4x4.com/forums/calendar.php?do=getinfo&day=2019-8-9&e=1020&c=1 (http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/calendar.php?do=getinfo&day=2019-8-9&e=1020&c=1)

[open_circuit]

Sorry, forgot to post this. Mondays and Tuesdays are really busy over the summer.

[open_circuit]

We should be good to reach both summits. As of 8/3/2019, Trailsoffroad is reporting that both summits are passable now.

[open_circuit]

For any who haven't run this trail before, be sure to bring some warm extra layers. It has always been very cold and windy at the summits of these trails when I have been here previously. The summits are at approximately 13,000 ft, and I have appreciated having a winter jacket to stay warm on all prior trips.

[open_circuit]

Meet Up Location: Gateway Visitors Center, Georgetown (right side just before the traffic circle), There is a Valero across the street to top off if necessary.

Directions to Meet Up Location
From Denver, take I-70 to Georgetown (Exit 228).
Turn left at the bottom of the exit to cross under the highway. Gateway Visitors Center is just after you cross under the highway and on the right side.

Directions to Trailhead (39° 40' 59.76"N 105° 42' 9.72"W)
South on Argentine Street and follow the signs to Guanella Pass that pepper the town as soon as you pass the visitor center. The signs have a blue background and the Columbine flower with "Guanella Pass Scenic Byway" underneath. The pavement switchbacks a few times before reaching the trailhead. You will come across a large parking area on either side of the road right before a switchback. At the top of that switchback is a lookout over the valley below.

Trail Description
Argentine Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 13,205 feet above the sea level, located in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains of central Colorado in the United States. It’s the highest named vehicle-accessible pass in the state. It's one of the highest mountain passes in Colorado.

Rutted and/or rocky road. No shelves but rocks to 9". Water crossings usually less than hub deep. Passable mud. Grades moderate, up to 15 degrees. Side hill moderate up to 15 degrees. 4WD under most conditions. No width problems, vehicle passing spots frequently available if less than two vehicles wide.

https://www.trailsoffroad.com/trails/203-argentine-pass