Vesper Peak


Vesper Peak is a peak along the Mountain Loop Highway region of the North Cascades of Washington state. It is about south of Darrington and 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".

Geology

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

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". 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.
The summit can be reached from the Sunrise Mine Road, off the Mountain Loop Highway. The hike is a round trip with an elevation gain of. 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.