Left TH about 6:50am enroute to Vesper Peak via Headlee Pass. It wound up pretty cloudy, but we got a few sunbreaks up until 11am.

The two stream crossings before breaking out of the woods were very slippery in places. Very doable, but use caution.

Trail was easy to follow on the way up to headlee pass, we were the first up that day but had tracks from a day or two prior. After the pass loose powder over some of the boulderfields was a little trickier. No previous tracks and hard to tell where to put your feet so that they wouldn't break through or slip.

After gaining the ridge on the way up to Vesper there was probably 5 to 7 inches fresh, dry, unconsolidated snow. Not bad over the heather and through the trees, for the last 500' or so it was over smooth granite and ice in places which made for treacherous going.

Folks were doing it in boots and/or other traction but crampons are highly recommended, especially on the way down.

On the descent it started snowing heavily making the trail back to the cars difficult to discern in places. We were the first down, and the tracks from the morning were completely gone. Back at the cars there was almost 3 inches of new snow (there was none when we left). When we drove out the snow went about a mile back down the sunrise mine road, Mountain Loop Highway was clear.

Full Narrative, GPS Track, and Photos: http://pnwanderer.com/?pnw_[…]er-peak-trip-repot-11102012

Took a hike to the top of Vesper Peak today, what a day, phew! The Headlee Pass trail starts off innocently enough, and then into a decent gain, which flattens out a bit as you enter more alpine lands. The gain starts to become more direct here before taking off like a rocket up to Headlee Pass. If you make it to Headlee, the trail then traverses a wide talus slope before entering the Vesper Lake bowl. The lake is still entombed in snow for the most part, but water is ample, fresh and ice cold! The climb up Vesper Peak begins directly across the outlet stream. Soon you are at a fine viewpoint for the Vesper Bowl, great spot to rest before heading up. The climb follows a well established trail until you reach bare rock, at which point cairns start to serve as waypoints. I followed my own path, avoiding snow as much as possible and merrily working my way up very pleasant rock. Not long I arrived at the summit and took in the views, and the views were fantastic. I was slightly disappointed to not find the summit register, or perhaps to have discovered that it was missing, either way, I didn't see it. On the way down I took a different route, opting to glissade instead. While righting myself I heard the crack of cannon fire, just to catch a large chunk of ice and snow hurtle towards Vesper Lake from the flank of Sperry Peak!

This week we headed out to the Mountain Loop Highway to take on Vesper Peak, one of the many hikes in the area that remain snowbound most of the year. The hike description hinted at stunning views, a lake, and perhaps traces of a mining operation, but cautioned that the route was difficult and a little treacherous. Vesper Peak delivered on both counts – we got our views, but our legs paid for them.

The Sunrise Mine Trail #707 begins by threading through a ragged stand of trees, with almost no underbrush. Greenery soon appears as a series of creeks and rivers cut across the rocky trail. The largest and most formidable is the South Fork Stillaguamish River, located about a half-mile down the trail. There are no permanent bridges here, so use caution crossing over rocks and logs, especially during the spring. Once you make it past the water, the trees begin to recede and the work begins. The trail slices through a valley of dense underbrush, switchbacking upwards toward the cliffs above. The narrow trail is more root and rock than earth, with parts of the trail missing where sections have fallen away.

To see the full report, check out:

http://www.hikingwithmybrot[…]ail-707-to-vesper-peak.html

Nathan & Jer

Good conditions and fresh snow made this super enjoyable. The "big" river crossing early in the hike is easily navigated this time of year.

Snow is solid from the beginning of the hike up to Headlee Pass. The trail is easily followed to the lake. From the lake follow shelves up and left of the lake. Much of the upper hike to Vesper is on remnant snow from last year. The fresh snow on top makes for a moderately good base.

Winter is coming! Photos are linked to below.

http://www.kodakgallery.com[…]mages&_requestid=658836