Vesper Peak, Headlee Pass and Vesper Lake — Saturday, Aug. 5, 2000

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway

Rob aka ""ass-master"" from the West Seattle YMCA and I picked a gorgeous day for the Monte Cristo area. Bit of a tricky stream crossing. Best bet is to use the 4-inch log at the upper end of the crossing and some balancing aid to make it across. High water and deterioration of traditional lower crossing area makes the current log/rock combo somewhat intimidating. Some snow still in basin leading up to pass. Hard when in shade. Lake between Vesper and Sperry still frozen over. Continuous snow from top of brushy area to summit of Vesper. Great views all around. Puget Sound basin was still socked in at 14:00. PLEASE NOTE: We encountered several folks who lammented not bringing an ice axe, or at least poles, for the upper part of Vesper. You decide your comfort level.