Augusta Falls

At the end of the road along Poverty Gulch, Augusta Falls drops nearly 400 feet into a short canyon that tightens as it approaches the bottom. The approach follows an old road and is straightforward, offering excellent views down the valley toward the town of Crested Butte. The initial few hundred feet of rappelling follow a line on the left side of the falls, descending a broad, slick, non‑vertical waterfall perched high above the valley floor. Augusta Falls serves as a good warm‑up for a nearby technical canyon further up the Slate River drainage. It also pairs well as a combined outing with the adjacent Baxter Gulch area.

Drive North out of Crested Butte on CR 317 toward Mt. Crested Butte. Turn Left (West) on CR 734 for 8 miles to parallel the Slate River heading North and passing the Oh-Be-Joyful Campground. Turn Left on Forest Service Road 552, where high clearance 4WD will be required. Follow signs to avoid private driveways and cross the Slate River, then dodge cattle on the open range. Select one of the seven Poverty Gulch dispersed campsites or Park near the end of the road for both Baxter Gulch and Augusta Falls. Hike the Augusta Mine Trail until it nears the watercourse above the first rappel. Depart the trail to the south and scramble up the hill to the West to reach one of the few trees to begin the descent.

R1: 200' from a tree on Canyon Right above the start of the falls. Get off rappel on Rappeller's Left to reach a dry section of rock to end the rappel. A longer rope is required on Rappeller's Right. R2: 175' from bolts DCR (Rappeller's Left) just past the huge quartz vein cutting across the waterflow. R3: 145' from bolts DCR (Rappeller's Left). A final 40' vertical section completes this rappel to a wide ledge. A longer 215' rope would allow continuing the rappel past the two downclimbs through the next two short waterfalls. Otherwise, complete two downclimbs on Canyon Right. Downclimb 10' Downclimb 10' R4: 110' from bolts DCR

Continue downstream until the Augusta Falls watercourse joins Poverty Gulch. Follow Poverty Gulch a short distance to the parking area and the start of Daisy Pass Trail 404. If the weather is cool enough, you can turn uphill and complete the short approach to descend Baxter Gulch without needing to remove your wetsuits.