Vesper Peak — Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024

Arrived at parking lot at 6, was the third vehicle there. Long vehicles may have trouble turning around in this narrow lot at the end of the access road.

A few creeks to cross in the beginning of the hike, we were able to find makeshift log bridges or stepping stones for all deep crossings.

It is very easy to lose your way in the scree field after the lower wooded area starting at 3600'. Cairns are all over the place and do not necessarily mark the trail. This scree was very loose in places and gave out from under me on our way down. Arguably more dangerous than the scramble up top.

The trail is fairly well defined once you exit the scree to take the many switchbacks up to the pass to get to Vesper lake until the boulder field at the top.

Again in the boulder field cairns are more an indicator of "this worked for me" than the actual trail. As you approach the top, veer left and take the ridge to the peak unless you're looking for a steeper scramble.

Traveling down is a slow slog of route finding and knee abuse so we took our time.

Distance was 8.6 miles, up took 4.5 hours down took 3.5.