The trail is rocky, yet well established to Headlee Pass. The trail crosses at Vesper creek and heads up on a narrow trail to Vesper Peak. Cairns mark the way and the views are well worth the effort. This was a perfect day as you could see from Baker to Rainier.

Beautiful, hot day for this strenuous trip. GPS read total distance as 6.26 miles but it seemed like 8 that was listed in my guide book. Total ascent 4231'. Streams are easy to cross and route over rock fairly easy to follow with cairns marking it. Bugs were not bad except on the summit...termite mating season? Blueberries are plentiful but need another week to sweeten up. http://www.flickr.com/photos/nabuckley/sets/72157621956687381/

As beautiful as this area is, I wouldn't recommend this trail for any but the most surefooted, with plenty of rubber left in their knees. Af the 2.8 miles to Vesper Lake, I doubt there is a 1/4 of actual walking-on-dirt trail. The rest is loose rock or tree roots. Speaking as someone with 45-year old knees, the worst part is down. I left the trailhead at 9:40, and made it to Headlee pass in 2.5 hrs., just like it says in the 100 hikes book. I didn't try to kill myself, and got lapped by 3 other solo hikers. Starts with an up and down traverse to the Stillaguamish river, then a bridgeless crossing (go up above where the trail meets the river), then a 1/2 mile climb up an avalanche clearing, around a ridge of Morningstar Peak to enter the main valley above a cliff. Up, up, up - and super big steps most of the time. Beautiful Doug firs growing in trios. The trail goes up the main valley through small trees with some Salmonberry (not ripe yet). Up across rokslides, switchbacking through trees, then entering the only way out. The slot gully was "the worst I've ever seen it" according to a climber I met later on the Vesper Peak slabs. To me it just seemed like more of the same. Amazing rock strata - almost vertical, and lots of conglomerates. I think. After Headless Pass, another big rockslide below Sperry Peak, and across boulders to Vesper Creek. After a side trip to Vesper Lake, I decided to give the climb a go, and set up the ridge at the stream crossing. If you aren't climbing the peak, the meadow above the campsites makes a really good spot for lunch - views into the cirque, and south into the upper Sultan River. The ridge trail goes up really steeply through trees, and then breaks out to a small flat spot. After this the fun begins up beautiful polished slabs of white granite - still super steep but easier to take. You can't really get lost, and there's a boot path up the ridge if you can make the saddle. The little streams have the best handholds, I noticed. At the top of Vesper Peak, a cloud blocked the view south and west, and other peaks had their tops hidden, but there were still amazing sights to the NE. The north face is straight down. Cooper Lake and the smooth white granite ridge between Vesper and Big 4 are amazing. The way down was so arduous, however, that I don't think I'll be back anytime soon. Too bad because this is amazingly close to Seattle and so so pretty. Surprisingly, mousquitos were biting nearly the whole time.

We headed out on this hike at 9:30 am with a group of four plus two dogs. The initial stream crossings were not bad as the logs were dry, but it rained during the day making things more difficult on the descent. Be very careful when crossing the logs as they can be very slippery - we almost lost one of our dogs to the stream. On the way to Headlee Pass, there was only one short section where we had to manuever through a snow field, but besides that the trail was in good condition and very steep most of the way. Vesper Lake was still covered in snow with bright blue water peaking through. The final push to the peak is mainly granite slabs (very easy to walk on) and another rocky snow field to navigate. Our boxer had a difficult time navigating the rocks near the top. The snow made for a fun glacade back down to the lake area. Returned to the car shortly after 5:30. My calves are sore.

We left the trailhead at 9 am with the intention of climbing the north face of Vesper (a 5.7 rock climb) but with the misty clouds lingering, we figured the route would be too slick. Instead, we just lugged all our climbing gear up the standard hiking trail route of Vesper. The first creek crossing wasn't too bad. The second one is a little tricky. Some people hike upstream to the blow down, others balance across the delicate logs, and others take their boots off and wade across. Mixed snow and trail up Headlee Pass, which was probably the most difficult section of the whole route. More or less solid snow from Headlee Pass to the summit of Vesper. Made it back down at 5:30 pm. Brought crampons but didn't use them. An ice axe is very helpful, if not essential. Bring trekking poles if you have them.