Killer Views on Killington, June 15, 2013

Got a late start Saturday and was concerned about rains Sunday, so decided to head to Killington on what promised to be a first-rate day for views. Since I didn't get started until after 4, and I wanted to get the views of the Whites to the east, I ascended from the ski lift base at the end of Killington Road, climbing mostly the Cascades ski run until about 3900', whence I took gentler roads and paths and a staircase for construction workers, who are erecting a new summit lodge. The steepest of this steep route was about 40 degrees at the 3000' point. From there, the grade was more moderate. Moosilauke and the Franconia Ridge dominated the northeastern horizon, reminding the viewer of their bulk and lift. Peeking between them from time to time, very faintly, was Mt. Washington. It was pretty much right at a 90 mile view day - W (88 miles per the Peakfinder site) blinked on and off, but I was never able to discern Cabot or Waumbek (94 and 91) or anything in that direction.

From near the summit there were nice views southward from Ascutney past Monadnock to Stratton, Glastenbury and the high Taconics, and once to the summit the grand views west and north opened from the high Taconics to the Adirondaks and up the main spine of the Greens to the other VT 4Ks around to the Franconias and Moosilauke from the rock's edge. The temps were mild - I'd say 55 F at the summit, with winds variable from 15-30 mph. There was alot of construction work at and near the summit - the communication towers area was roped off from both approaches on the summit loop from the top of the K-1 ski lift.

This was my first ascent fully by ski trail. I loved the magnificent 120-degree views from N to ESE on ascent. The grandeur of the greatest Whites really is driven home by that aspect, and it was fun to watch Ellen/Abraham, the Hump and Mansfield pop as I climbed above 3500'. But I much prefer the more natural state of a mountain, climbing in the woods, to the highly manipulated and engineered environs of a ski resort. Hope to hike K's wild side before too long, bagging Mendon Peak in the process. Killington's a great mountain, and I look forward to seeing its less civilized slopes soon.

This was my first Vermont 4000-footer, for the record, my ninth of New England, and my 7th of the 50 finest in New England was able to see all the others on that prominence list that I've climbed, except for Greylock, blocked by Glastenbury.

Photo album is here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10201521226575494.1073741829.1321623751&type=3&uploaded=55

Sounds like you had a great hike Chris. I have not been to Killington yet. May have to give it a try. Could not seem to get on to see pics. May try again later.

Thanks, Chris. It was a good hike. The link to the album worked fine for me just now. I'll post some pics from the trip here for convenience:

First is a Coolidge Range panorama from near the Grand Hotel:

This is from the Cascades ski run, which I climbed to about 3900', showing an early view of Moosilauke at enlarged size:

This is a view of construction next to the K-1 gondola by the summit, a replacement summit lodge, I believe:

And a couple pics from the summit: