6/7/2026 Route: Fletcher+Drift Traverse Posted On: 6/8/2026, By: zootloopz Info: The 5.2 notch from Fletcher is clear of snow. There is a direct but more vertical juggy crack that can be used, but the 5.2 ramp on climbers right / skiers left is also in good shape. Just a bit of moisture and mud to contend with on this section. Otherwise largely snow free the whole way. |
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5/16/2026 Route: North Face (Hyper Drift Face) Posted On: 5/16/2026, By: slawrence2011 Info: From Mayflower Gulch. Started at 5:20 and snow was firm all the way up. I ascended the casual NW shoulder, which had one large snowfield with firm snow and a good bootpack between around 12,4 and 13K. Above that, it was snow with rocks in it, you could climb either, I did mainly rocks. The E face looks in from the summit and all the way down. I was tempted to do that but wasn't sure how I would hitch from Blue Lakes back to Mayflower 31 miles over 3 highways. There is a 50 foot easy downclimb to the top of the North face on talus. I dropped in at 10:30, which was too early for the upper face, which is fortunately lower angle. Very chattery skiing. I wasn't sure how I would get through the cliff bands at the bottom as they looked dicey on TR beta photos and in person, but I was fortunate and chose the right route, I dropped into the skier's left obvious gulley, then crossed over a rib, and then I was presented with a tight choke of about 10ft and a nice couloir going all the way. I side stepped the choke since it was less than a foot wider than my skis. Could easily ski back to 11,3 on the road with a couple stepovers and ski removals. I could have gotten to 11,2 if I had taken off skis one more time. |
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11/27/2025 Route: Northwest Ridge Posted On: 11/27/2025, By: ProfetaP Info: Mayflower Gulch TH leading to the basin does have snow and ice on it - I was the first person out this morning and used snow shoes, but after heavy traffic and some melting, they are not needed. I took the northwest ridge to Drift Peak - It was a bit sketchy boulder hopping with the snow-covered rocks, and not able to tell if I was going to put my foot between boulders or stand on a rock (I did wear crampons here). On the way down, I took a couloir at the first notch (not the northwest bowl), but not certain what this line was called. It was a mod snow climb and probably around 40 degrees. The snow quality right now is horrible tho for couloir climbing - the line was only a couple of inches deep, and it is sugar snow, so you go right through to the talus and rocks below! Even tho not ideal, some incredible weather, views, and solitude on this mountain. Also, nowhere in this area is skiable yet - if you like your skis and knees. |
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5/8/2025 Route: Fletcher+Drift Traverse Posted On: 5/9/2025, By: jacolc Info: Approached for Drift via MonteCristo Creek and climb east couloir to south ridge snow 45deg. Flotation needed after recent storm. On traverse 6-18inches of fresh snow, full winter condition except warmer temp. On descent from Fletcher initially used crampons and switch to snowshoe. |
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8/8/2023 Route: Northwest Ridge Posted On: 8/8/2023, By: PikaSteve Info: Fairly easy to connect trail segments on the ridge despite few cairns. Windy, but beautiful day. One snowfield at 13,600 with flat crossing option at ridge crest. |
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7/14/2023 Route: Fletcher+Drift Traverse Posted On: 7/14/2023, By: 14er101 Info: Did the class 5 variation of the Fletcher+Drift traverse today, Pretty much summer conditions to Fletcher and class 3 traverse would be summer conditions. Did class 5 both ways, set up anchor above the notch, and rappeled, on return we belayed on top rope. If you go directly up from the notch (instead of doing the ledge as described in the route) it is anywhere from 5.4 to 5.6. Great rock all around, I hope to write up a trip report soon. |
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7/4/2023 Route: Fletcher+Drift Traverse Posted On: 7/5/2023, By: backcountrybrodes Info: See Fletcher Mountain |
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4/1/2023 Route: Northwest Ridge Posted On: 4/5/2023, By: Jonathan Deffenbaugh Info: No snowshoes required for the road on the way in, however after reaching near the log cabins, you'll need snowshoes for accessing the NW Ridge. Ended up sticking near the rocks where we climbed directly up to the first point on the ridgeline. From there, there were sections of windblown and unconsolidated snow that made us wish we hadn't stashed our snowshoes during the long section of the ridge. Literally almost swimming in snow and spindrift with the winds, which didn't disappoint either lol. Once we got to the final push, had finally paid our dues and was able to ascend to the top easily. Had enough time to catch the sunset on the way out. Ended up bringing an ice axe as well which came handy for some restful glissades on the way down. Having a balaclava and snow goggles helped with mitigating wind conditions as well, whereas for traction microspikes or crampons would have sufficed. |
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9/11/2022 Route: Fletcher+Drift Traverse Posted On: 9/12/2022, By: Ssgustafson Info: Excellent day on Fletcher and Drift yesterday! Relative to the Class 5.2 variation on the traverse, I found the hand and foot holds to be straightforward and very solid - and probably easier (and more fun) than downclimbing the Class 3 detour. I also wanted to mention that the route I chose after the 5.2 section skirted to the right (instead of scrambling left up and over the top of the point). Skirting to the right proved to be a fine class 2+ way to get back to the 'rust colored' entry on the Fletcher side. Hope this is helpful! |
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8/6/2022 Route: Fletcher+Drift Traverse Posted On: 8/6/2022, By: 14er101 Info: Besides some ice and rain from overnight, the traverse is dry. About halfway up the white-colored rock, just before the area in pic #21 on the route description, we found a cairned slab that, although somewhat exposed, traversed to the south over the ridge. I would not want to do the slab when wet, but when dry we could walk it carefully. The terrain on the backside of the slab was all class 2/2+ and mostly unexposed. Attached is a pic of the slab, and the terrain beyond it. |
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5/27/2022 Route: NW face Posted On: 5/27/2022, By: jmanner Info: Drift is pretty in, we were bummed we didn't ski it instead of Fletcher. Snow was punchy on Fletcher so we weren't able to make it over there, but the snow was softening up at about 11:00 am. New snow definitely needs more time to consolidate some. |
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4/30/2022 Route: Northwest Ridge Posted On: 5/1/2022, By: merrion13 Info: Mix of wind-loaded snow and also really fractured/thick crust, didn't feel yet like a spring snowpack, highly variable. We skied the NW face and it was 'adventure skiing' at its finest, would give it another week or so to consolidate and for these damn winds to die down. |
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4/16/2022 Route: Northwest Ridge Posted On: 4/17/2022, By: jbealer Info: We made it to almost 12800ft, ridge snow was unsupportive. I was leading a team of students, and with that large of group did not want to chance it. We were side kicking steps and the snow was just crumbling under our feet, very much sugar. |
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10/31/2021 Route: Northwest Ridge Posted On: 10/31/2021, By: LetsGoMets Info: Snow the entire way. Packed trench from the Upper TH to the ridge @ 12000 feet. From there to the summit is almost consistent snow ranging from a few inches to a couple feet in places, even on the ridge proper. Got by with trail runners and spikes, but would prob recommend boots at this point. Great summit. |
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7/20/2021 Route: Fletcher+Drift Traverse Posted On: 7/20/2021, By: ScottLovesRMNP Info: Summer conditions on the traverse. The route is not well-cairned and it's a little vague where to go as trail segments come and go. The steep, exposed climbing is very brief, but be careful on the loose rock. I ended up climbing up something that felt close to Class 4 but later found an easier way down (Class 3). |
