Vesper Peak

Infobox Mountain
Name = Vesper Peak
Photo = Vesper_Peak.jpg
Caption = Photo of Vesper Peak from Mount Dickerman
Elevation = convert|6214|ft|m|0|lk=onFred Beckey, "Cascade Alpine Guide" (2nd ed.), The Mountaineers, 1996, ISBN 0-89886-152-7, pp. 48-53.]
Location = Washington, USA
Range = North Cascades, Cascade Range
Prominence = convert|1574|ft|m|0|abbr=on [http://howbert.netherweb.com/mountains/ Jeff Howbert's Master List of Peaks in Washington] ]
Coordinates = Coord|48.013|-121.518 [http://www.topoquest.com/map.php?lat=48.01289&lon=-121.51794&datum=nad83&zoom=4 Vesper Peak on TopoQuest] ]
Topographic
USGS Silverton
Easiest route = East Ridge: moderate scramble (Class 2)
First ascent = Before 1918, possibly by Louis C. Fletcher et al. (surveyors)

Vesper Peak is a peak in the Mountain Loop Highway region of the North Cascades of Washington State. It lies just south of Silverton and east of Granite Falls. It is about convert|18|mi|km|0|abbr=on south of Darrington and convert|32|mi|km|0|abbr=on east of Everett. Its gentle south and east slopes contrast with a sheer north face which offers "excellent technical routes".

The peak is primarily composed of intrusive quartz diorite, but the south and southwest slopes are metavolcanic rock.

The peak was ascended in 1918 by a Mountaineers outing, but "they were likely preceded by prospectors and a geological survey party led by Louis C. Fletcher". The steep north face was first ascended in 1968 by Bruce Garrett and Jim Langdon; several routes exist on the face, with grades in the 5.6 to 5.8 range.

Trip Overview

The road getting to Vesper is friendly and a northwest forest pass is required. The trail starts out gentle and easy through the woods, a few creeks and a river. There is an orange tag that represents the trail to cross the river. Be sure not to go down the wrong way. After the river the trail starts to switch back a few times to a strait away, then you get to a boulder field valley. In the summer there are blue berries and don't forget water on this hike. The trail switch backs here and there, until you get to the bottom of a multi-switch back part of the trail. Back and forth till you get to the pass (which is Headlee pass est. 4500ft. , 3.25 miles). After the pass you go through another rock field slowly gaining elevation till you get to Vesper Creek. You can go to Vesper Lake which is 0.2 miles from the creek, which is an excellent spot for resting or camping or go on to the bottom of a ridge that goes to the top . At first the ridge is easy then it switch backs a few to a rocky scramble. Scramble along this slope to the summit (Est.6,200 ft.). At the summit there is plenty to see, Glacier Peak, Sloan Peak, Mt. Dickerman, Mount Pugh, Mount Rainier, even Stuart and a little bit of the top of Mount Adams.

Trip Info

*Distance: 10 Miles Round Trip
*Elevation Gain: 4114 feet
*When to Hike: June-October
*Bring Ten Essentials

References

External links

*http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=EarthNature&Number=1105619&Searchpage=1&Main=1105619&Words=+JoshLewis&topic=&Search=true#Post1105619
*http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/getaways/38675_hike13.shtml
*http://www.attrition.ws/index~page~hikeoverview~HikeInstanceID~77.cfm