Argentine Pass - Colorado's Highest Elevation Off-Road Pass - Georgetown, Colorado

Off-road Guidebooks:
Charles Wells Colorado Book (the best): amzn.to/3CJLir2
Charles Wells Moab Book: amzn.to/3R6RSfu
Argentine Pass & McClellan Mountain Trails - Here are some quick reference points since this video is super long. I included the whole trail going up Argentine Pass but not down Argentine Pass (except for the two obstacles).
Intro: 0:00
Waldorf Mine: 17:50
Start of McClellan Mountain trail from Waldorf Mine: 18:00
Top of McClellan Mountain trail: 34:40
Start of Argentine Pass at Waldorf Mine: 54:24
First rock obstacle on Argentine Pass: 55:35
Second obstacle on Argentine Pass: 1:03:09
Summit of Argentine Pass: 1:05:05
Argentine Pass panorama: 1:07:35
Second obstacle coming down: 1:10:15
First obstacle coming down: 1:10:50
Argentine Pass is the highest vehicle accessible pass in Colorado at 13,207’. The trailhead is right off of the Guanella Pass paved road just out of Georgetown, Colorado. This trail combo took us about 4 hours to complete with breaks which weren't too long. This is an excellent trail with superb views and it is one that I will do again. If you had time for just one of these trails, then pick Argentine Pass and skip McClellan Mountain. McClellan was definitely cool but Argentine Pass was better in my opinion. Both trails could be completed in aggressive SUVs in stock form. There are no major obstacles, just two minor spots on Argentine Pass that could prove a challenge for some lesser equipped vehicle models. The switchbacks on McClellan Mountain are tight! I'm not sure that I would want to do this trail in a longer wheelbase vehicle than my 4-door Jeep. I definitely would not want to run McClellan in a full size pickup truck. All in all another great day. I hope you enjoy the video. I tried showing a little more video action of myself and commentary, so that is kind of new and needs work for sure. Let me know what you think!
Off-road Guidebooks:
Charles Wells Colorado Book (the best): amzn.to/3CJLir2
Charles Wells Moab Book: amzn.to/3R6RSfu
My Camera gear:
DJI Mini 3 Pro: amzn.to/3Ayy8dC
DJI Mini 3 Pro Fly More Kit Plus: amzn.to/3wDeNa7
DJI Mini 3 Pro ND Filters: amzn.to/3CFYvB6
DJI RC controller: amzn.to/3Q3qZb3
GoPro (mounted on top of windshield): amzn.to/3pVqdCb
Rode microphone: amzn.to/3TujNI0
Viltrox Speed Booster: amzn.to/3CFYLA4
Canon M50: amzn.to/3KxXAVe
Canon EF 50 mm f/1.8 lens: amzn.to/3Q33fDG
DIY CO2 Tank (cheaper than Powertank):
10 lb CO2 cylinder: amzn.to/3Tvr3mD
300 psi air hose: amzn.to/3PWOy5i
Digital tire inflator: amzn.to/3AZUk1C
150 psi regulator: amzn.to/3CJCZLL
Powertank mounting bracket: amzn.to/3PWP8Qw
Offroading essentials:
Tire deflator: amzn.to/3cu9Nhf
Tire plug kit: amzn.to/3KxJ7Zk
These are all Amazon Affiliate links, and purchasing here does not cost you any more but I do get a small commission. Thank you for your support! - Geoff

[@Colorado4x4]

Thanks for watching guys! 🤘 Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a like, please. It helps out the channel immensely!

[@biscuitcase83]

Stunning scenery up there! There is a wonderfully vivid description of this area in Muriel Sibell Wolle's book Stampede to Timberline (a book I fell in love with and have read so many times). It really helps imagine what this place was like even in the 1940s when Waldorf still had quite a few buildings and the nearby Santiago mine and mill were fully operational. Wolle attempted to hike from Waldorf to the top of Argentine to look down the other side but had to turn back due to exhaustion, I can see why! The switchbacks going up never seem to end

[@Colorado4x4]

That’s awesome!!! I need to check out that book! Thanks for sharing! - Geoff

[@biscuitcase83]

@@Colorado4x4 It's old and a lot of the mines and camps she ventured to are gone now, but it is a brilliant insight into colorado's mining history and her journeys to such places. She was an artist too and the book is full of drawings of them...let me know what you think if you get to read it 🙂

[@mikerobbins5049]

Argentine Pass is another trail thats on my bucket list.

[@Colorado4x4]

It’s definitely cool! The view at the top was really cool. I don’t know why I hadn’t ran this trail before, but it was very awesome.

[@BackcountryHonda]

I've ridden up there several times on my Honda xl600r. Fun ride.

[@Colorado4x4]

It sure is. I’ve been wanting to make it back up there but I don’t know how bad the smoke is.

[@sinepari9160]

Oh you got a windy day lol.. I did argentine on memorial day (it's local to me)

[@Colorado4x4]

Nice!! How far up did you get???

[@DJR5280]

Went there today. What a great experience. I'm in a stock 98 Tahoe. The 1st obstacle was no fun. I didn't think I could make it but going left and having rhe right spotter, I made it kicking and screaming. We turned around a few hundred yards up as it was getting dark. Might try again next week.

[@Colorado4x4]

It’s a beautiful place really. Did you make it to the top of the pass and then start descending? Did you get to the spot before the steps?

[@DJR5280]

@@Colorado4x4 I turned around at the 57 minute mark in your video. It was almost dark and we had no coats or anything in case we got stranded. I also didn't know if we'd run into any harder challenges than the first hard challenge you mentioned. The guy who spotted me over the first challenge was in a Land Cruiser. He seemed to think I could make it the rest of the way no sweat. So we'll be trying again at some point next week. Hoping the wildfire smoke clears out so we can enjoy the view.

[@Colorado4x4]

I’m sorry I was confused on what video you were commenting on! Argentine Pass! It’s so cool! You should be able to get up there. You can do it! Did you air down your tires some?

[@Colorado4x4]

If you just go up Argentine and not McClellan, yes the first spot (obstacle) I mentioned is probably the hardest spot on the trail. The last switchback before getting to the top of Argentine Pass is a little rocky but you should be able to do it with some good driving and low range 4x4 which you should have in your Tahoe

[@DJR5280]

@@Colorado4x4 I didn't air down the tires. Do you think that would help. The G80 locker wasn't kicking in like it should which didn't help matters. I hope to reach the Summit. Looks beautiful.

[@sinepari9160]

I was hanging out in Georgetown Friday afternoon after work and tagged along with a group from MS/AR. It was a pretty easy, VERY nice drive up to the peak. I came back down the way via Guanella pass. Is there another way out (loop)?

[@Colorado4x4]

Nice! There is not another way out of that basin. You have to come out the way you came in. There is another spur to McClellan mountain up there and some other side spurs. It’s a great area! - Geoff

[@sinepari9160]

@@Colorado4x4 oh yeah it was a nice little relaxing trip out and back. Beautiful at that peak with grays/torreys on each side of the valley.. I'll be back again before the snow starts for sure!

[@Colorado4x4]

That’s right! It is a super view of those 14ers!

[@j.r.777]

I just bought my first Jeep ever and also live in Colorado too! I ordered and then bought a 2021 JL Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon. I’ve done a ton of off roading in California, Arizona, Nevada, and even parts of New Mexico and Texas too. What are some good trails to do in Colorado that a stock (for the time being) JLUR can do without receiving any trail damage along the way?

[@Colorado4x4]

Nice! Congratulations on your new rig! Your Jeep is plenty capable to run a ton of different trails! It has 33s right? Check out some of my other videos. I usually say in the descriptions what rigs were driving with us and if the trail is good for stock vehicles. There really are a bunch of trails you can hit. Webster Pass, Red Cone, any of the San Juan trails, Bill Moore Lake, and a ton of Moab trails. I would pick up Charles Wells trail guides for south of I-70 and Moab too. Let me know if I can help in any way. - Geoff

[@j.r.777]

@@Colorado4x4, yes my Rubicon has 33’s that are the BFG All Terrains. I have 30 plus years of experience working in the music industry and doing a ton of production work, including video production. My Dad was the one who got me into off roading literally from birth. So when I ordered and then bought my Rubicon, I did so with the intent of starting a KZbin channel about off roading and doing reviews on off-road gear and equipment, as well as camping off grid and doing stuff like that. So thank you for your help and advice. It is very much appreciated!

[@Colorado4x4]

That’s awesome. What a great story. My first degree is in cello performance actually! What do you play?

[@j.r.777]

@@Colorado4x4, I’m more of a bass player but have tinkered around a little in guitar and drums but haven’t played them consistently in years. I started out playing in bands but then got involved in live and studio production work and that’s where a majority of my work has been in. The cello is an awesome instrument too! It takes a tremendous amount of skill and talent to play one. That’s awesome that you can play one as well.

[@Colorado4x4]

@@j.r.777 Nice! That’s awesome. I love music for sure.

[@billsventure]

13000 ft.need 0/2 ttherenice road though.

[@Colorado4x4]

👍