The original Drift race. Get ready to embark on a historic journey along the Green River along the path of the country's oldest running cattle drive. The race starts with a fast and flat stretch before taking you into the mountains with 2,500 feet of heart-pounding climbs and chilly descents. As it's still winter here in March, it's essential to come prepared for any weather conditions that may arise. The stunning scenery and challenging course will push you to your limits.
Course Description, Map, and Race Profile
This recreation event is authorized under a Special Use Permit with the Bridger-Teton National Forest and the Shoshone National Forest.
28-Mile Section 1: Start to Dollar Lake: 9 miles and 325-foot elevation gain.
The 28-mile race will begin on Sunday at 8:00 am. Racers will start by heading north along the road following the Green River for about 9 miles to Dollar Lake. This section of the course is fairly flat, wide, fast (depending on snow conditions) and easy to follow. There will be no aid, until the Moose-Gypsum intersection station. If you are struggling, this is where you should turn around as it only gets harder from here.
28-Mile Section 2: Dollar Lake to Moose-Gypsum Intersection (Aid Station 1): 4.5 miles and 300-foot elevation gain.
From Dollar Lake the trail continues North and then turns East following the river. Watch for and enjoy (but do not approach) elk in this area. At no time are racers allowed to leave the trail, this is a protected area. There will be an aid station here with water and a few basic snacks. Fill up here-you'll want snacks and stuff before the climb.
28-Mile Section 3: Moose-Gypsum intersection to Gypsum Creek (Aid Station 2): 8.3 miles and 1350-foot elevation gain and 750-foot elevation loss.
Racers will turn right on Moose-Gypsum road, shortly thereafter begins the biggest single climb of the course. Pay attention to your temperature here, do not soak clothes with sweat or the descent to the finish line will be a cold one! Watch for and enjoy (but do not approach) elk in this area. Racers will gain 1200 feet over the next 4.3 miles to the course high point of 9200 feet. Give yourself a pat on the back, it's downhill from here…for a second anyway. The course flattens out for about a half-mile before starting a gradual 3.5-mile 600-foot descent to the Gypsum Creek Aid Station, only 6.6 miles from the finish.
28-Mile Section 4: Gypsum Creek Aid Station to Finish: 6.6 miles and 700-foot elevation gain and 1600-foot elevation loss.
The course stays flat for about a mile before a 400-foot descent and then climbs several hills over 2.5 miles! Don't think for a second that it's easy. It's not. Be sure to layer up for a fast 3-mile, 1000-foot descent to the finish line!
Drifters may leave the course on their own accord before Dollar Lake. Drifters that do not make the Moose-Gypsum Intersection or Gypsum Creek Aid Station cut-off times will leave the course by snowmachine and pay a $50 evacuation fee. In the event of snow machine evacuation at any point along the race course, Drifters will be required to pay this fee. Drifters who do not check in to either aid station or pass the finish line by 5 pm will be declared missing and a search party will be deployed immediately. Do not leave the race course.
Set up tent for The Drift 13 and 28 start and finish line.
Course Map
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