Vesper Peak

Vesper Peak is a peak along the Mountain Loop Highway region of the North Cascades of Washington state. It is about 18 miles (29 km) south of Darrington and 21 miles (34 km) east of Granite Falls, in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Its gentle south and east slopes contrast with a sheer north face which offers "excellent technical routes".[3]

Vesper Peak
Photo of Vesper Peak from Mount Dickerman
Highest point
Elevation6,221 ft (1,896 m) [1]
Prominence1,574 ft (480 m) [2]
Coordinates48°00′47″N 121°31′04″W [1]
Geography
LocationSnohomish County, Washington, U.S.
Parent rangeNorth Cascades, Cascade Range
Topo mapUSGS Silverton
Climbing
First ascentBefore 1918, possibly by Louis C. Fletcher et al. (surveyors)
Easiest routeEast Ridge: moderate scramble, (class 2)
Del Campo Peak from Vesper Lake

Geology

The peak is primarily composed of intrusive quartz diorite, but the south and southwest slopes are metavolcanic rock.[3] Grossular garnet occurs in skarn zones on the peak, which have been mined for this mineral.[4]

Climbing and recreation

The peak was ascended in 1918 during a Mountaineers outing, but "they were likely preceded by prospectors and a geological survey party led by Louis C. Fletcher".[3] The steep north face was first climbed in 1968 by Bruce Garrett and Jim Langdon; several routes exist on the face, with difficulties in the 5.6 to 5.8 range.[3]

The summit can be reached from the Sunrise Mine Road (No. 4065), off the Mountain Loop Highway.[5] The hike is a 10-mile (16 km) round trip with an elevation gain of 4,114 feet (1,254 m).[6] The summit affords views of Glacier Peak, Sloan Peak, Mount Dickerman, Mount Pugh, Mount Rainier, Mount Stuart and a bit of the top of Mount Adams.

References
  1. "Vesper Peak". NGS data sheet. U.S. National Geodetic Survey. Retrieved 2008-10-23.
  2. "Vesper Peak, Washington". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2008-04-09.
  3. Beckey, Fred W. (1996). Cascade Alpine Guide, Vol. 2, Stevens Pass to Rainy Pass (2rd ed.). Mountaineers Books. pp. 48–53. ISBN 0-89886-152-7.
  4. "48-55 Mine (Garnet Mine; Vesper Peak Mine)". Mindat Mineralogy Database. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
  5. "Vesper Peak's East Ridge, Via Sunrise Mine Trail and Headlee Pass". SummitPost.org.
  6. Sykes, Karen (September 13, 2001). "Hike of the Week: Vesper Peak is a rewarding challenge for hikers stout of heart and boot". Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
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