Vesper Peak, Headlee Pass and Vesper Lake — Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2000

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway

a beautiful time of year for this hike. ripe blueberries, fall colors, not too hot and not too cold, great views. there was even a dusting of fresh snow on some of the cliffs. it's a very steep hike but the trail is in quite good shape and very easy to follow. the ascent through the narrow chute leading up to the pass is awesome with very interesting rock formations on both sides. a little ways beyond the pass is vesper lake, amazingly still surrounded by snow and mostly frozen. just before reaching the lake the trail crosses the stream and heads up the ridge to vesper peak, a steep climb but with fantastic views that are not seen from the pass or lake. all the usuals are visible (rainier, baker, glacier, stuart, sloan...) along with probably the best closeup of the red south wall of big four. a little easy scrambling is required and there was one short section (maybe 20 yards) of snow to ascend that would be tricky if not softened by the sun. from the trailhead to the top of vesper peak is 4100 feet elevation gain.