Sunrise Mine #707

The trail to Headlee Pass could be one of the longest 2.5 trail miles I know of around here. It's pretty steep,of course, but more than that it seems slow because nearly every step requires watching and thoughtful foot placement - early on it's the roots and a couple of stream crossings (none of which were a big issue right now since we were able to scoot either seated or walking across well-placed and sturdy logs), and further up because of the seemingly endless talus and rocks (cairns here are helpful). In fact some of the best trail was after Headlee Pass, to Sperry Lake.

Rough tread aside, this is a fine hike with a mix of old growth forest, a brushy cirque with views to Dickerman, a very dramatic setting as you ascend little switchbacks up the narrow couloir that is Headlee Pass, and the granite-rimmed, Enchantment-like shores of Sperry Lake. It only took us 15 minutes to traverse on good trail from the Pass to the lake basin, so if you're wondering of the extra distance is worth it, it totally is.

There was absolutely no snow in the couloir or anywhere else on the trail. A couple bugs, that's all. The lake was still pretty frozen. We saw a pair of mountain goats across the valley from the Pass. Best views are from the lake basin towards Vesper peak and surrounding area, not really from the pass.