mendon peak, hiked on 5 23 15

after going pass killington on 4 west, take left on whellerville road for 4 miles to bucklin trail parking on left. the way to mendon is not the trailhead at the kiosk. if you are on the road looking at the parking area, the trailhead to mendon is the metal gated road 200 ft to the right. follow this road and you will pass a camp on left, then a small area that has been cut off, then there will be a small grassy log landing. go straight here rather than right. this old logging road follows the brook and crosses 3 times. at the 3rd crossing you will see a sign that you are now 2.5 miles from whellerville road. the trail from here has the elevation gain. easy to follow. with a few switchbacks. you will pass 3 cairns and just past that there will be a blue rescue basket on the left. go back down trail about a 100 ft and there will be a herd path heading in a generally westerly direction. if you lose the herd path, do not go south or uphill too quickly or you will run into some thick spruce and balsam. rather skirt the hillside then go south west and eventually coming to the first sub peak. from here you will be able to see the second peak which is only about 10 minutes away in a westerly direction. there is a ledge on the second peak that offers great views to the south. from this height of land you will see the actual high point of land, just 4 minutes away also in a westerly direction. there you will find the canister and sign. when descending to pick up the trail again near the rescue basket, it is imperative that you come out near that point where you entered. I missed my mark coming out and it set me back by 45 minutes. overall, the trail portion was in good shape for being so unused but it could be tricky in wet conditions or high water. all brook crossing were doable due to lack of rain. lots of trillium and hobble blooming and also a variety of wild flowers. lots of sign of moose that spent the winter in the fir over 3500 ft. some grapple in the woods at higher elevations from the cold front last night. no bugs. I think it was too cool but I am sure they will be out with warmer temps coming.

d&d 80/100 nehh