Download Agreement, Release, and Acknowledgement of Risk:
You (the person requesting this file download) fully understand mountain climbing ("Activity") involves risks and dangers of serious bodily injury, including permanent disability, paralysis, and death ("Risks") and you fully accept and assume all such risks and all responsibility for losses, costs, and damages you incur as a result of your participation in this Activity.
You acknowledge that information in the file you have chosen to download may not be accurate and may contain errors. You agree to assume all risks when using this information and agree to release and discharge 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and the author(s) of such information (collectively, the "Released Parties").
You hereby discharge the Released Parties from all damages, actions, claims and liabilities of any nature, specifically including, but not limited to, damages, actions, claims and liabilities arising from or related to the negligence of the Released Parties. You further agree to indemnify, hold harmless and defend 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and each of the other Released Parties from and against any loss, damage, liability and expense, including costs and attorney fees, incurred by 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. or any of the other Released Parties as a result of you using information provided on the 14ers.com or 14ers Inc. websites.
You have read this agreement, fully understand its terms and intend it to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law and agree that if any portion of this agreement is held to be invalid the balance, notwithstanding, shall continue in full force and effect.
By clicking "OK" you agree to these terms. If you DO NOT agree, click "Cancel"...
The final approach to the summit of Fletcher Mountain
When I completed the centennials in 1992, my dad and I had climbed all the named non-separate peaks for a total of 110 peaks. Drift Peak had yet to be discovered at the time but now stuck out on my peak list like the proverbial sore thumb.
My older son, Randy, is working on the centennials and needed both Fletcher Mtn. and Drift Peak, so we joined forces to climb them together from Blue Lakes. We believe our Fletcher - Drift traverse is much easier than the 14ers.com "Fletcher+Drift Traverse" route description, so pay attention because our route will be on your final exam.
Tuesday, July 19
Randy had to work until 10:15 PM, so it was well after midnight by the time we arrived at Hoosier Pass and crawled into our tent. This was the only way we could squeeze in a climb tomorrow, however.
Wednesday, July 20
We slept in a bit due to our late arrival last night but could get away with it because the Blue Lakes Trailhead (which is also the TH for Quandary Peak's west slopes route) is fairly high (11,700'). After the short drive to the dam at upper Blue Lake, we headed up a trail that climbs northwest as it follows a drainage.
Just getting started on the trail
A look back at upper Blue Lake; it's obvious we didn't get a pre-dawn start today
Looking to the northwest as the trail's about to fade away; Fletcher Mtn. isn't visible yet.
The trail goes higher than shown on the topo map. Soon, you don't need a trail.
Fletcher Mtn. is just coming into view
Looking back down the drainage. The sun's above Quandary Peak, and North Star Mtn. is to its right
The final approach to the summit of Fletcher Mountain
We reached the summit of Fletcher Mtn. (13,951') but did not find a summit register.
Randy on Fletcher Mountain's summit, with Drift Peak behind him
Eddie on Fletcher's summit
After taking a break, we headed along the ridge toward Drift Peak. As we descended toward the Fletcher - Drift saddle, we met Mike Hill (username: mike14) as he was heading up Fletcher Mtn. The ridge to Drift Peak looks easy enough, and it is, for a while. Eventually, the ridge has difficulties that can be bypassed by dropping a bit into the basin southeast of Drift Peak.
A look down into the broad basin SE of the Fletcher - Drift saddle
You want to aim toward the 13,380' saddle (see arrow) between a 13,515' point (left) and Drift Peak
We didn't drop all the way to the 13,380' saddle but began contouring SW and WSW a bit above it. The traverse might be easier if you actually drop all the way to the 13,380' saddle.
Quandary is at the far left. You can see we traversed a bit above the 13,380' saddle in the lower center of the photo
You just need to lose enough elevation to get below the difficulties at the right side of this photo
We traversed to the snowfield at the right side of the photo above and then began climbing the couloir.
Here we're climbing west up the couloir. There are several different options that all work well; take the path of least resistance
Once on the ridge, it's a short distance to the summit of Drift Peak (13,900'), where we found a makeshift summit register in an ammo box
One of Bill's old 13ers.com stickers! (Not exactly in mint condition, so we decided not to sell it on ebay)
Looking back at Fletcher Mtn. (left) and Quandary Peak from the summit of Drift Peak
Another nice view from the summit of Drift Peak
And then there's the tailings ponds of the Climax Molybdenum Mine...
Clouds were building by now, so Randy figured he should hang onto the steel rod (set in concrete) on the summit of Drift Peak
Eddie on Drift's summit with Fletcher Mtn. (left) and Quandary Peak behind him
Looking up at our descent route from Drift Peak
Looking SE down the Monte Cristo Creek drainage
Ancient mining artifacts next to one of a series of PVC poles we found on our descent
Rather than return over the 13,380' saddle and go back the way we came, we decided to head southeast down Monte Cristo Creek and then head east back to the trailhead. That worked fine until we had to do some bushwhacking through willows and pine trees as we neared upper Blue Lake. Other than that, our route worked well, but next time we'll simply return the same way we came. You should also.
Blue = ascent route; red = descent route we took; green = a better descent route from Drift Peak
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
Caution: The information contained in this report may not be accurate and should not be the only resource used in preparation for your climb. Failure to have the necessary experience, physical conditioning, supplies or equipment can result in injury or death. 14ers.com and the author(s) of this report provide no warranties, either express or implied, that the information provided is accurate or reliable. By using the information provided, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless 14ers.com and the report author(s) with respect to any claims and demands against them, including any attorney fees and expenses. Please read the 14ers.com Safety and Disclaimer pages for more information.
