There have been a couple solid trip reports recently, but I thought I'd add a couple bits of information.
Headlee Pass is still probably a week out from being completely snow free, but you can bypass most of the snow and basically all the snow on the steep parts. The only snow I felt compelled to walk on was a short section below the chute. It's short, but a slip here could slide you down a short ways to rocks so bypassing it may be preferable depending on how the snow conditions are.
From Headlee to the lake/creek has some snow, but nothing concerning. Just be careful that you don't step throw a thin portion (poles are very helpful for probing here).
From the creek up to the summit of Vesper the only are of concern is the upper portion of trees where things are steep and post holing is an issue. Stay to the right side of the trees and you'll find that there something approximating a dirt trail melted out about halfway through.
Essentially the whole climb from the creek to ~100ft below the summit is under snow. It's steep, but as long as you don't end up above some exposed rocks the run-out is not an issue. Glissading made the descent a breeze. Snow traction is going to make your life a lot easier on this section and I did pull out my ice axe to help ascend at the steepest point.
There was a Rock Wren singing in the first open rocky area as you come out of the brush and start to climb towards Headlee. I think this is only the third record of this species in Snohomish County in the last decade.
Comments