Drift Peak Attempt
[ Base Camp ] [ The Hikes ] [ Summary ] [ Peak List ] [ Other Links ]

Base Camp
Up

• Statistics:
  • Date Hiked:  November 10, 2006
  • Miles Hiked:  4.8
  • Elevation Gain:  2,000'
  • Hiking Partner(s):  None
• Description:
  • My late start caught up with me on this trip, and I didn't have the time to summit.  I wasn't hiking from the Mayflower Gulch Trailhead until 9:00 because I couldn't get myself out of bed.  By the time I reached about 12,800'-13,000' on Drift Peak's west ridge, I knew I wouldn't have enough time to summit and be back in Denver by 4:00 to get my kids from school.  The snowshoe to the west ridge of Drift near Gold Hill was easy with little elevation gain.  Once I gained the ridge, I was surprised at how much snow it was holding and how difficult the climbing was.  I was expecting a fairly easy hike.  Anyway, I was slowed down significantly with trail breaking and post holing.  The final steep 1,000' to the summit of Drift Peak didn't look like it was going to get easier than what I had already been through, so I threw in the towel and decided to return another day.
• Maps:
  • Click here to view a 2D map of the area where this hike is located.
• Photographs:
  • An early look back towards Mayflower Gulch from above tree line with my snowshoe track from the cabins.
  • Pacific Peak peeking over the west ridge of Atlantic Peak.
  • A look at Drift Peak from my turn around point.
  • A photo back down Drift Peak's west ridge with Gold Hill in the background.
  • My trail through the snow on the ridge.
  • Another good look at the trail-breaking along the ridge.
  • Drift Peak from near Gold Hill after I had descended a ways.

www.

just

hiking

.com

Base Camp     The Hikes     Summary     Peak List     Other Links