MT. BAKER-SNOQUALMIE NATIONAL FOREST, WA :: Today I followed an old miner trail to the top of Vesper Peak. The path to its 6214′ summit is overgrown, rocky and steep, making the 10 miles and 4100′ elevation gain seem much worse than it actually was. I lost my footing and fell more times than I’ll admit. It probably didn’t help that the traction on my boots was worn away and the tips of my trekking poles were ground smooth. I should get those replaced soon!
About one-third of the route requires scrambling over loose rubble or large slabs of rock. If there’s a trail in the basin before Headlee Pass, I didn’t see it, but I figured I was going the right way because I came across a metal plaque, glued to a rock. It had a poem on it, written by or dedicated to Larry Wallinger. I don’t know who he is, but the poem was nice, and the illustration of Mr. Hiker Man from the 70’s was cool.
Climbing up Headlee Pass was a little adventure in itself. It was steep, switching back and forth every five or so steps. The rocks are very loose and can easily fall on those below you. I read the trail gets reconfigured every winter by the force of the snow sliding down the gully, along with a hiker or two, I imagine. At the top of Headlee Pass is a sign, and about a square foot of level ground to enjoy before the trail heads back down the other side of the mountain where a barely discernable path makes its way across a large scree field. Vesper Peak makes its first appearance at this point. It’s the white pyramid towering high above.
Immediately after the scree is a small creek that spills out of a tarn in between Sperry and Vesper Peaks. Find the path left of the creek to head up Vesper. Sperry Peak can be reached by hikers as well, although I couldn’t see how that might be possible from my angle.
After pulling myself through some thick brush, I hit the rock slabs. This is the final approach to the peak and a couple routes are marked by cairns. I went up one way and back down the other. Both were a challenge for my slippery boots, but it was fun. My trekking poles became useless as they slid across the bare rocks. I put them away and used my hands to negotiate the boulders.
I don’t think I ever saw the actual peak of Vesper until I was right on it. The 360 degree views are amazing. I could easily identify several other peaks that I’ve hiked: Pilchuck, Three Fingers, Green Mountain, Mt. Forgotten, Dickerman, Baker, Rainier, and Del Campo. I always wondered what was on the other side of Foggy Pass beyond Gothic Basin, and here I was. Far below me was Copper Lake, a truly spectacular scene and the highlight of the trip. I enjoyed my lunch up here and relaxed for about an hour before heading back down.
About one-third of the route requires scrambling over loose rubble or large slabs of rock. If there’s a trail in the basin before Headlee Pass, I didn’t see it, but I figured I was going the right way because I came across a metal plaque, glued to a rock. It had a poem on it, written by or dedicated to Larry Wallinger. I don’t know who he is, but the poem was nice, and the illustration of Mr. Hiker Man from the 70’s was cool.
Climbing up Headlee Pass was a little adventure in itself. It was steep, switching back and forth every five or so steps. The rocks are very loose and can easily fall on those below you. I read the trail gets reconfigured every winter by the force of the snow sliding down the gully, along with a hiker or two, I imagine. At the top of Headlee Pass is a sign, and about a square foot of level ground to enjoy before the trail heads back down the other side of the mountain where a barely discernable path makes its way across a large scree field. Vesper Peak makes its first appearance at this point. It’s the white pyramid towering high above.
Immediately after the scree is a small creek that spills out of a tarn in between Sperry and Vesper Peaks. Find the path left of the creek to head up Vesper. Sperry Peak can be reached by hikers as well, although I couldn’t see how that might be possible from my angle.
After pulling myself through some thick brush, I hit the rock slabs. This is the final approach to the peak and a couple routes are marked by cairns. I went up one way and back down the other. Both were a challenge for my slippery boots, but it was fun. My trekking poles became useless as they slid across the bare rocks. I put them away and used my hands to negotiate the boulders.
I don’t think I ever saw the actual peak of Vesper until I was right on it. The 360 degree views are amazing. I could easily identify several other peaks that I’ve hiked: Pilchuck, Three Fingers, Green Mountain, Mt. Forgotten, Dickerman, Baker, Rainier, and Del Campo. I always wondered what was on the other side of Foggy Pass beyond Gothic Basin, and here I was. Far below me was Copper Lake, a truly spectacular scene and the highlight of the trip. I enjoyed my lunch up here and relaxed for about an hour before heading back down.
Every once in a while I Google my brother’s name, Larry Wallinger, just to see what’s out there. I was surprised to see your website! Larry was 41 years old when he fell while hiking on Morningstar Peak in 1988. The search and rescue teams said he fell about 200 feet. He was hiking alone. This was such a horrible tragedy for our family. To honor his memory, my husband and I put this plaque in the rock fall in the basin. It is a poem he wrote in 1979 and the drawing of him is from an actual photograph. I’m so pleased that you found the plaque and that you honored him by putting it on your website. I’m also very pleased that it’s still there with all the harsh conditions it endures!
I put it where I can still climb to it when I’m older (I’m 58 now. I was 38 when Larry died.) Please be careful when hiking and, please, don’t hike alone. Or at the very least, let someone know where you’re going so they know where to look for you.
Thank you so much for sharing the story of your brother. The plaque is wonderful. A very moving and fitting memorial for someone who loved to be in the wilderness.
John