Trip Report
Headlee Pass and Vesper Lake, Vesper Peak — Saturday, Jul. 12, 2014
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
Once on the other side of the narrow bridge crossing, we started switch-backing uphill, in humid 90 degrees weather, sweating like a shower. Tree cover was scarce on this section, but eventually the sun hid behind a giant rocky peak east of the trail.
We continued up the valley, then on a bolder/scree field on the west shoulder, until we got to the bottom of a gully leading up to Headlee Pass.
The pass was half snow, half loose rock and dirt. It was not difficult to climb, but there was some amount of rock fall danger. Here at the pass we stopped for a quick bite to eat.
About 20 minutes from the pass, we got onto the snow field below Vesper and stared marching up to the sound of kicking steps. Didn't take more than about an hour from the pass to peak the snow field.
The last hundred feet or so was the best, a little scramble on big boulders and a perfect place to have lunch, relax, and enjoy the views.
I would not mind even spending the night up here - the views are outstanding! I heard somebody on the trail who did it; they must have had one hell of a sunset.
For a lot more photos, please visit my blog (link below):
https://zilcsak.com/blog/vesper-peak-hike
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