Beautiful morning at Vesper Peak with polarapfel. I had an event in the afternoon so we got an early start and started the hike at 6:30am and kept a steady pace up the trail. The trail has quite a variety, starting in the woods, then some quick elevation gain up a brush hillside before a gradual climb up a valley that ends with a right turn to a steep set of switchbacks to Headlee Pass, where you can see your first view of Vesper Peak--great view and a lot of climbing to go. One tip on climbing up the valley is to check thr map, its easy to get off trail there, we did and saw 3 other groups get off track and go higher up the right side of the valley when the trail was lower.
After Headlee Pass there is a short downhill then some elevation gain to Lake Elan and its outlet. Now the fun begins with some steep climbing up small switchbacks, followed by walking up some steeper slabs and some scrambling over boulders. We stayed right on the way up and to the left on the way down. Staying to the left seemed easier. We reached the top in 3 hours. The views at the top were amazing with Baker, Glacier Peak and Three Fingers, Copper Lake, and Spada Lake all in view.
After some lunch and taking some pictures with the camera gear we packed up, we headed back to the trailhead. The return trip was much warmer and we were glad we started early when it was cooler. The trail is pretty rocky and steep in places, so you need to watch your foot placement, each of us slipped/tripped several times on the way down.
Overall a challenging hike which is very rocky. I recommend grippy hiking shoes, poles, and lots of sunscreen. The bugs weren't to bad until we stopped at the top. Gaia had the trip at 7.26 miles and 3845 ft of ascent.
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