Summiting Vesper Peak in the North Cascades

Trip Date: August 24, 2022

Today Mom and I summited Vesper Peak, accessed from the Sunrise Mine Trail off the Mountain Loop Highway. It is only 4 miles to Vesper Basin, although the trail is very rough and rocky, with steep switchbacks up to Headlee Pass. Vesper Lake was still frozen over when we arrived at the basin. It is only a mile more up to the peak, though the trail is steep and requires routefinding skills once you emerge from the greenery to Vesper's white granite face. The 360 degree views from the top command sweeping views of Glacier Peak, Mt Baker, Mt Stuart, Big Four Mountain, Copper Lake, Gothic Peak, Del Campo, Sperry Peak, and Morning Star Peak. We could smell a whiff of wildfire in the air and it was a little hazy, which is why the mountains look very blue with little definition. Even so, the views were spectacular.