Trip Report: Vesper Peak...back to home

Early Sunday morning I met with Miyabi, Jess, Don and Karen. Don and Karen brought their delightful little dog, Dixie and Dave Salyer’s wonderdog, Baloo, fresh with a summer shave. Vesper Peak was our goal. Now to put the day in context, this was the first climb this group of recent grads had put together on our own… and secondly, over our 10 week course had only achieved two… yes, two summits. You do the math. Wet weather gave us many learning opportunities, but not many summit pictures. 

So off we went with the tempered desire to not kill ourselves and still nail the summit. Weather was lovely. Sunny and warm on the drive in, but cloudy skies were in the forecast. From the Sunrise Mine trailhead we followed the well-established trail through the woods and over two easy stream crossings. It was a bit rooty, but overall easy going. The third stream crossing required either a strong resolve or the removal of boots, but very passable. There was some orange tape ensuring we didn’t miss it. 

We came through the trees shortly thereafter and headed up a steeper grade towards Morning Star Peak with Sperry Peak to our right. Fairly rocky going, but again no mystery to the trail. The trail took us right into the drainage under Headlee Pass. Once in the drainage though the trail becomes hard to find and follow. No one could remember exactly where the pass was, but everyone vaguely remembered reading that if we headed straight back to the wall something would appear. Indeed, after a lot of talus and some snow, two steep, but manageable gullies made themselves available to our right after the last clump of trees. We chose the right of the two gullies and Miyabi kicked steps up the face. We were able to scramble up some rocks at the top of the pass and then broke for lunch. There was lots of discussion among the recent grads of “Is that Vesper? Maybe over there?” general doubting of the map and talk of napping. I think I saw Baloo roll his eyes… maybe that was Don, although the nap was appropriately attractive to him after having enjoyed El Dorado in a one day assault with the Gourly’s the day before. Anyway, we finally figured out which one was Vesper, agreed the map was right and found the trail again.  

From there it was a narrow trail nearly under Sperry Peak to our right that lead us past the lake, also on climbers right, and up, up, up the snowfield to… the summit! The clouds and mist caught up with us and obscured views… but we wouldn’t be deterred. We made it! After some victory dances with the dogs, we enjoyed a 1,500 ft glissade back to the lake. Yours truly wouldn’t be bothered with dragging rain pants out of her pack and got to experience just what that much snow feels like shielded by only thin, ripstop nylon hiking pants. The trail out dropped us right on the top of Headlee Pass (sign and everything) which happened be at the top of the gully we didn’t choose coming up. (Both work fine for the record, but the sign is a nice touch and it was easier to find the trail from the left gully as you’re ascending.) Ice axes were used in the gullies both ways. Plunge stepping down in the soft snow was mildly sketchy due to the steep grade, but not rope-worthy. We were reminded just how much we love our ice axes. From the top of the drainage there was more glissading and then the trail out.  

It was a success on all accounts. We had a great time and felt rewarded with a summit and safe return. We credit the class for getting us together and our stellar mountain skillz.   Don’s pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/dhoward.gg/VesperPeak# 

Duration: 7.5 hours
Elevation: 4,200 ft
Length: 10 miles