Vesper Peak - July 12-13, 2017
This was my second scramble in Washington on the heels of Kaleetan. The entire scramble from the lake below Vesper Peak was snow-covered so it was fairly easy going. At just 6214 ft, Vesper Peak offers some of the most rugged views of the Cascades in the area considering its relatively low elevation. It sits between Mountain Loop Highway and Highway 2, and you can definitely tell from the terrain that you’re beginning to transition away from the Central Cascades and into the North Cascades.
We set off from Seattle at around 7am, just in time to hit some of the rush hour traffic. The trail meanders through the forest and crosses the south fork of the Stillaguamish River – a trivial crossing in mid to late summer but hazardous in early season and fall – before opening up into the brush. Some parts of the trail here were badly eroded and required caution when traversing narrow portions with large drop offs.
Soon enough, we found ourselves in the Wirtz Basin and began heading up Headlee Pass which offered great views of Morning Star Peak. Thankfully, there was no snow up to the pass. We traversed over talus and intermittent snow until we reached the basin below Vesper Peak which was completely snow-covered, although we were able to find a patch of bare rock to pitch our tent. Little did we know this area boasts a very robust rodent population and my friend Bryce found mouse poop in her pack the next morning.
We napped and relaxed for several hours before beginning our ascent up the peak for sunset. Being a flatlander who is not very used to hiking on snow, I found the ascent a bit unnerving. The snow was slushy enough to kick steps, which was moderately easy in my approach shoes, and the runout was very mild and easy to self-arrest on, but we still moved slowly. It’s a mental block when you turn around and see how high up you are while knowing that your feet aren’t totally aren’t totally secure.
We had views to the south of Mt. Rainier, to the northeast of Glacier Peak, and to the northwest of Whitehorse Mountain and Three Fingers. There is a nice view to the southeast of a prominent pinnacle in front of Del Campo Peak which I neglected to check out. It’s been long enough now that I’d love to get back out here for a fresh perspective on an old place.
We watched a divine sunset on the summit before glissading back down the snow slopes for a cloudy evening at camp. All of the peaks in this area are a delight – approaches on well-maintained trails that feel like the high alpine without being too long of a slog, fun cross country hiking, and easy scrambling.
