Better Outside Than In: Killington 10/12/14

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Killington 10/12/14

I decided after living in VT for many years it was time to finally finish the peaks over 4000 feet in VT. There are only 5 of them!
Mount Mansfield: 4,393 ft (1,339 m)
Killington Peak: 4,235 ft (1,291 m)
Camel's Hump: 4,083 ft (1,244 m)
Mount Ellen: 4,083 ft (1,244 m)
Mount Abraham: 4,006 ft (1,221 m)

I had climbed all of them except Killington many times over the years. Today I went down South and hiked Killington via the Bucklin trail. Here is a brief description of each peak:

Mansfield - I have climbed this many times and have been on most of the hiking trails. There is still one trail left that requires climbing gear that I have not done. On the list if I can talk Sue and Bruce into trying it. Mansfield is a popular place but there are many trails that keep you away from the crowds. Subway and Halfway House are my most recent favorite trails and they are written up earlier in this blog. The mountain has a nice ~2 mile ridge of rock going from the top to the forehead. It is a nice loop to go up one side, across the ridge, and down the other side.

Killington - This one I have only been up once. Today! The Bucklin trail is on the opposite side of the ski area and is a nice trail. I only saw a few people on this trail until I got to the top. The trail starts out flat and winds through some nice woods. It then starts up and you can see Pico and the ridge to Killington from the trail. Near the top the trail gets to a small stone shelter. From there it is only .2 miles to the top of Killington. This last part is very steep. The top was crowded and somewhat of a let down after coming up through some nice woods. The gondola was running on the ski trail side. It comes very close to the top making it easy for all types of tourists to make a short walk to the top. There were also a number of people getting off the gondola and biking down the mountain. I walked from the top over to one of the other peaks (Skye peak) where a closed lift lets off. Just wanted to get a feel for the mountain. I had skied there a long time ago. All in all a nice trail up and a good day for hiking starting out at 40 degrees at the base and staying that way to the top as the day went on.

Camels Hump - This is the go to mountain for me. Sometimes I go for exercise in rain, clouds, and basically any conditions. I have been up Camels Hump in all times of the year. One time I went up at night and skied down from the top with a head lamp with someone from work. There is a trail around the mountain starting in Huntington that you can ski in the winter. This is a good one as it goes up to 3000 feet and goes around the mountain. Lots of interesting views and typically good snow. Most of the time I go up Forest City and down the Burrows trail. This is a 2.5 to 3 hour hike and can be done after work or early in the AM on the weekend leaving most of the day for other activities. I have climbed Camels Hump hundreds of times, probably at least 250 times. It is always interesting since the conditions are always different. It has great views of the lake, Mt Mansfield, and Mt Ellen and Mad River.

Mount Ellen - Most of the time I go to the top of Mt. Ellen it is from the App gap. This trail goes by the double lift at Mad River, the single lift at Mad river and then Mt. Ellen. One time I stayed with a few people in a shelter in the winter between Mad River and Mt. Ellen. We went up both peaks on that trip. Blue sky winter days on that trip with a lot of snow and sun. Once with Sue, Bruce, and Carolyn we went up Mad River along the whole ridge including Mt. Ellen, Sugarbush South, and Mt Abraham. This was a great ridge walk and a lot of fun.

Mount Abraham - I have been up this most often by the Battell trail. Also from the top of Lincoln gap and coming over the ridge from Mad River and Mt. Ellen. On one trip we found the plane that crashed just off the top. This mountain has a nice rock top and good views.