Vesper Peak, Headlee Pass and Vesper Lake — Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2010

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway

On a blue sky Tuesday Dean, Ann, and I set off on the Mountain Loop Highway to climb Vesper Peak. Conditions were near perfect although this trail is rough, tough, steep, and very rocky. All creek crossing were quite easy in late August and although there is still some snow high on the route to the peak it is easily avoided. The steep pitch to Headlee Pass is in as good of shape as I can remember and snow free. The small lake (Headlee or Vesper Lake, take your pick.) at the base of Vesper is melted completely but as always provides one of the most beautiful outlet streams in the Cascades. (see pic below) The views from this peak reward the hard work and effort to reach the top. (And the return to the car.) We did not find a log book to sign but while looking for one Ann accidently discovered some kind of "Secret Box" that we concluded must be part of an ongoing GPS game. Round trip about 7 miles with nearly 3,600' of elevation gain by my estimate.