Vesper Peak — Local services in Granite Falls

Style: Day Hike Difficulty: 8.8/10 (Advanced) Distance: 11.7km | Altitude Gain: 1170m Class: Low 2 (no real climbing) Terrain Difficulty: 9.4/10 Path Finding: Low Type: In & Out ! See below the summary for information on these statistics !

Detailed Summary: It was about a 12 kilometre hike with a 1170 metre altitude gain. It took us about 7 hours to make it there and back. The terrain for most of the hike is quite basic. Although, there is a section where you must walk across slate horizontally for a while. The hike to the peak also has quite hard terrain, being about a low 2 class. There's also a lake below the summit, which is a great spot for a break, or to set up camp if you're backpacking.

I don't really have much else to say about this hike, it's quite standard.

! Statistics Information: The #/10 statistics are based on day hike/climbs (so no backpacking routes count) I consider a hike/climb to be any route where the route class is not above a 3, meaning no climbing equipment or ropes are required. To be a hike, the route must not exceed a class 2, although, I still group regular hikes in with hike/climbs since they can both be done by non-climbers without equipment. To be a day hike or day hike/climb, the route must be able to be done in a singular 16-hour day while walking (no jogging or running needed). Half-day and several-hour routes are also included in...

This is one of the best hikes around— the view to effort ratio is very good. It’s a big challenge, probably twice as challenging than Mount Si in my opinion. Most of the challenge comes from the variety of terrain plus the huge elevation gain. Elevation gain: 4000 feet Terrain: Typical PNW trail (dirt, roots, rocks), then rock field, then rocky trail, then very steep rocky trail (think 45 degrees in places), then steep rocks on the scramble to the top (very grippy rocks, however). Definitely download the area in your offline maps first. Get OnX backcountry (worth the money) and download the trail in advance. Use GPS for way finding. It’s easy to lose the trail if there aren’t people in front of you in some places.

Bring good hiking boots. This is not a hike you want to do in tennis shoes. Mother Nature has a way of dealing with overconfidence— you’ll struggle if you don’t bring boots or at least trail running shoes.

Pack more water and snacks than you think you need because the sun can be brutal on some days. Check the forecast.

Bring a drink to celebrate at the summit— you’ll want to hang out for at least half an hour to take in the insane 360...

A rugged hike with amazing summit views. The hike starts on a small patch of Forrest. After a few creek crossings you cross patches of brush. Then you enter wertz basin, rugged, terrain, be cautious of loose rock. Also you will reach Headlee Pass it's technical but be careful of the loose rock. Once you reach Headless Pass, take a break and in the distance you can see Vesper Peak. It's scramble from there. At first you will encounter a rock trail, then you reach the creek and frozen lake. Continue up past the small patches of forrest and campsites. Then follow the cairns to the summit. Be cautious. I would recommend a good pair of boots. Take the 10 hiking essentials to this...