Poverty Gulch Road, Forest Service Road 734.2A, leads northwest from Pittsburg on Slate River Road. The road leads to the Augusta Silver Mine that was used in the late nineteenth century and early in the twentieth century. The mine was abandoned after a series of snow slides destroyed the mine and mill buildings. An array of rusted iron mineworkers lies at the end of this route. Pittsburg lies two and a half miles west of Oh-Be-Joyful on Slate River Road. Poverty Gulch Road branches from Slate River Road at an elevation of 9,240 feet. Shortly after leaving Slate River Road, Poverty Gulch Road crosses Slate River. A four-wheel drive vehicle with high clearance will be needed for this crossing early in the summer season. By September most passenger vehicles can ford this crossing easily. Once across the Slate River, Poverty Gulch Road makes a sharp northward turn. The road climbs slowly along the north shore of the stream for one and a half miles to a fork in the road. At this junction Baxter Basin Road, Forest Road 552, leads southwest into Baxter Basin and around the southern side of Cascade Mountain. During the early summer months this junction is covered by a snowfield. All but the most experienced drivers should not attempt to cross this snowfield. Poverty Gulch Road follows the right side of the fork and begins to ascend steadily from this junction. The road is unstable in some areas beyond this point. It is recommended for smaller vehicles. Poverty Gulch Road continues to switchback for two and a half more miles before reaching the Augusta Mine at 11,000 feet. The section of this road beyond the junction with Baxter Basin Road is an easy day hike.
Directions from Crested Butte: Travel one mile north on Gothic Road. Turn on to Slate River Road and travel six miles northwest to Pittsburg and turn left.
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