Snow conditions on the trail before the Belford/Missouri trail split seem even better than last week with the new snow over the weekend smoothing the bootpack out. Despite the traffic last week and this week there wasn't the same well-trod bootpack up towards Missouri given the wind-drifted snow in the gulch--gaiters highly recommended. Moving up a little higher to cross the willow patch on the way to the ribs helped shorten the distance to cross, but still be prepared to posthole.
I am not really sure which was the right or wrong rib to take, but we went up a straighter rib that was the northernmost/ farthest climber's right in the gulch just south of the broad dry steep scree slope and in between a couple bowls. This rib had shallow mid-boot-high snow on top of grass clumps and sparse rocks all the way up to the ridge. Some parts were pretty steep and the snow was slick, but traction and poles helped for sure.
Ridge down to Missouri wasn't much issue. Steps on the snow crossing close to the summit were frozen securely, imo another steep traverse with looser rock & snow and some snow crossings atop the ridge were more heads-up. Summit is farther than it looks with the false summit bumps on the ridge!
     
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