First mile or so is in the trees, losing almost 200' before going up steadily, crossing a few (now) easy creeks, and many roots. Once the trail breaks out of the trees, only ~20 min from TH, view is quite good, and gets better and better. Fall color is already starting.
Zigzag over this slope, now under unexpected full sun. I was sweating more than I'd planned. After a bend, and few trees that offer shade, the trail heads into the more dramatic Wirtz Basin: an amphitheater of towering mountains: jagged granite in front, Morning Star front left, and Sperry Peak to the right. 
The trail goes straight into and up to the head of the basin, over some talus fields with squeaking pikas. At one point, I was feeling faint, probably due to dehydration. Had to rest and refuel. Then it gets steeper to the right, with increasing short turns, over a couloir to the narrow Headlee Pass (a battered sign says 4600'). Here you can see Glacier Peak, but covered by increasing thick clouds now. 2 hours from TH.
The trail drops down over the pass into trees for a short distance. Then over a long talus field, gaining elevation gradually, until crossing Vesper Creek. Had a blissful rest and wash here, ate half of the sandwiches. The meadows above the creek have ripe and plump huckleberries. Good excuse to stop and rest on the way up. Saw a nice tent site here. Further up, more huckleberry + heather meadows, 2 tents. Good view of the lake below.
Eventually green gives away to granite. Scrambling to Vesper Peak starts. It's fairly easy, not steep, grippy rocks, wide slope, any route going up works. My partner had a faint spell. We stopped to recuperate, most importantly to re-hydrate. I finished my sandwich. Good view looking down. We arrived at the summit at exactly 4pm. 
Outstanding 360° view, despite of the thickening clouds. To the north: Williamson Creek from the glacier under my feet to Copper Lake. East: where we came from: Sperry Peak, mostly covered Glacier Peak in the distance NE, and Del Campo and Gothic Peak SE. Can see Mt Danial, and faintly Enchantments. SW was a sea of cloud. There's a black tube of summit registry under the 3 big rocks, and a geological marker quite a few steps lower.
Coming down is more fun. We walked half of the ridge, and then scramble down. 
At the creek, I went to the last remaining snow patch left of the lake to refill the water bottles, as I didn't take water filter. The lake is below the rocky edge, where I see an unoccupied tent site. The swampy area around the creek is mossy and green.Entered clouds at Headlee Pass. They floated in and out, or rather we went in and under, quite pretty. Temperature was comfortably cooler. I now noticed the red color of some rocks. Not sure what Headlee was mining exactly.
Back at the car ~7:15pm. Driving back, from mist to drizzle to pouring rain. Multiple lightning from Everett to Seattle. We have been very lucky today with the weather.
