Vesper Peak facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Vesper Peak |
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Photo of Vesper Peak from Mount Dickerman
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 6,221 ft (1,896 m) |
| Prominence | 1,574 ft (480 m) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Snohomish County, Washington, U.S. |
| Parent range | North Cascades, Cascade Range |
| Topo map | USGS Silverton |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | Before 1918, possibly by Louis C. Fletcher et al. (surveyors) |
| Easiest route | East Ridge: moderate scramble, (class 2) |
Vesper Peak is a tall mountain found in the North Cascades mountain range in Washington state, USA. It's located near the Mountain Loop Highway, about 18 miles (29 km) south of Darrington and 21 miles (34 km) east of Granite Falls. This peak is part of the beautiful Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. While its south and east sides have gentle slopes, the north side is very steep and challenging for experienced climbers.
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What Vesper Peak is Made Of
Vesper Peak is mostly made of a type of rock called quartz diorite. This rock forms deep underground from melted rock (magma). However, the lower parts of the south and southwest slopes are made of metavolcanic rock. This means they are volcanic rocks that have changed over time due to heat and pressure.
You can also find a special gem called grossular garnet in certain areas of the peak. These areas, called skarn zones, have been mined in the past to collect this mineral.
Climbing and Fun at Vesper Peak
People have been climbing Vesper Peak for a long time. The first recorded climb by a group was in 1918 during an outing by the Mountaineers club. However, it's likely that explorers and a survey team led by Louis C. Fletcher climbed it even earlier.
The very steep north side of the mountain was first climbed in 1968 by Bruce Garrett and Jim Langdon. There are several climbing paths on this face, and they are quite difficult.
How to Reach the Summit
You can reach the top of Vesper Peak by hiking from the Sunrise Mine Road (which is Road No. 4065). This road is off the Mountain Loop Highway.
The hike to the summit and back is about 10-mile (16 km) long. You will gain about 4,114 feet (1,254 m) in elevation, which means it's a good workout!
Amazing Views from the Top
From the summit of Vesper Peak, you can see many other famous mountains. These include:
- Glacier Peak
- Sloan Peak
- Mount Dickerman
- Mount Pugh
- Mount Rainier
- Mount Stuart
- A small part of the top of Mount Adams
