If timed right, this trail hasย it all. Dramatic mountain views extending forย miles all the way to the Maroon Bells and Scarp Ridge. Waterfalls around every corner. Wildflowers of every variety completely blanketing steep hillsides. Even some tiny wild raspberries! This can be aย hiking experience you won't soon forget.
Need a place to stay?ย Book at theย Elevation Hotelย and take 25% OFF lodging with promo code:ย travelcb
| Highlights: | Mountain Panoramas, Waterfalls, Wildflowers |
| Difficulty: | Very Strenuous |
| Length: | 4.6 miles |
| Approx. Time: | 3.5 hours |
| Elevation Gain: | 1,852 feet |
| Max Elevation: | 11,612 feet |
| Trailhead Elevation: | 9,791 feet |
| Travel Time to TH: | 45 minutes |
Click photos to view multi-season gallery
Directions
SUV required for the last 2 miles, otherwise add 4 miles to your RT. From the Town of Crested Butte: Take Gothic Roadย (135) north 0.8 miles to Slate River Road (734). Turn left and drive 7.2 miles up the valley to Poverty Gulch Road and a wide open gravelย area (private property). There is no parking allowed here, so it's best to park along the road in a turn out prior to this spot or continue on. From this point an SUV with good clearance is required. Turn left and cross the Slate River, but check the depth. Pass waterfalls just after the crossing [1]. ย Drive 2 miles up a rocky and often deep puddle filled road. There is a parking area just before where the road crosses the creek. Park on the leftย side and do not drive across the creek (boulders block the road). ย Map
Route
Cross Poverty Creek over one of the many paths of logs or boulders [2].ย Ascend theย unmaintained mining road into Baxter Basinย as the views begin to open up. Don't forget to look back for beautifulย views of the gulch [3]. Keep an eye out for wild strawberriesย [4] and raspberries [5] in late summer.
Continue up the road, which can be lined with a variety of wildflowers later in the season. ย Keep an eye out for the left turn off of the road onto a narrow single track trail 1.6 miles up. This is marked by a small sign stuck in a rock pileย [9].ย The trail gets steeper and rockier as you get closer to the pass. The wildflowers get more denseย and astounding as well [12]. Near the top, there are two gully crossings that are washed outย and slippery. Be careful when crossing and watch your footing.
The steepest portion is just under the summit of Daisy Pass. From the top you can see a trail descending the other side down into Democrat Basin andย Oh Be Joyful valley [15]. Take in the fantastic views of Scarp Ridge directly across from you as well [16].
Please donโt pick, cut, or walk on wildflowers or other plants. Removing wildflowers from the wild can adversely affect pollinators and other animals that depend on that species for food and cover and affect the flowers long-term survival in that location.
Click photos to view multi-season gallery
Trail Map & Profile
Enjoying this trail? Help support the people who maintain it.ย Donate to the Crested Butte Conservation Corps
Featured Lodging
Elevation Hotel
Take up to 25% OFFย with promo code:ย travelcb
500 Gothic Road โข (970) 251-3000 โข Directions
Elevation Hotel and Spa is Crested Butteโs only slopeside hotel. No matter the season, Elevationโs mountainside accommodations offer stunning views and unrivaled access to trails and the lifts at Crested Butte Mountain Resort. New must-see culinary concepts, bars and lounges include Josรฉ, the Matchstick Lounge and the billy barr.
