Killington Peak,VT via the Bucklin Trail/LT

[amstony]

With poor weather predicted throughout New England for Saturday, October 30, I figured I'd head over to Vermonts Green Mountains and shoot for a a 4K. After watching the forecast all week, it looked like things would clear up rain wise and there be a good "hole" in the nasty weather for a trip to Killington peak, VT. Besides, there was that "extra" hour of daylight at the end of the day, which would dissapear on Sunday and a very early wake up would not be necessary!

So at 7:00 AM, Melanie and I left my place and made stops for gas and food, and finally got on the road to Vermont about 7:30. The weather was gray and foreboding, but kept an optimistic look on things. When we hit I-89 it was cloudy with no rain. The trip on Rt 4 in Vermont was a little slow, but it is a pretty drive. We finally made it to the trailhead on Wheelerville Rd about 9:45. The trailhead is NOT marked, but is located at light pole 104, 4 miles from Rt 4. The only marks that it is a trail is a laminated sign on a tree.......

So with warm 50 degree temps, light fog and NO rain, we hit the trail at 10:00 AM. The Bucklin trail starts out very gently, and this portion is actually part of the catamount Ski trail, which was really well marked, all new markers too. You cross Brewers Brook over a foot bridge and then continue level sand straight. You cross a second large foot bridge and then the trail makes a sharp right and UP you go. At 2 miles, just before this bridge the clouds lifted and revealed Killington peak itself, looming massively in front. So we had that climb to look forward to! lA relentless, steady climb now begins that takes you approximately 2200 feet in 1.3 miles. We thought we were moving at a decent pace, and at 3.3 miles we ran into a sign for the LT and wheelerville Rd, which said we were at the trail junction of the LT/Bucklin trail. At this point we were surprised at our pace and had made the junction so quickly despite the steep climb. We continued south to Coopers Lodge which was unmanned by the GMC but open for use, there were also tent platforms there. We figured we'd eat here on the descent.

At the Killington Spur trail we, put on windbreakers and hats, and headed up again. Here it was a little tricky, the wind was howling, it was foggy, drizzly, and the rocks very slippery. It reminded me of the last climb up to Flume Peak, coming up from Osseo trail. Just steep rocks.....and theres the summit. At 11:53 we made it the summit. There were no views, just wind, fog and drizzle. It was 38 degrees at the top. We took the summit pics, looked around and headed back down to eat. At the tent platforms we had lunch, and then headed back down. We also signed the Trail Journal at Cooper Lodge, a LT thru hiker had stayed there 2 nights before. The trip down was uneventful, and at 1:37 PM we were back at the trailhead. The hike was great, and it is a good route. We did not see one person on the trail the entire time.

On the way back we stopped in Woodstock, VT, and had an ice cream, walked around and checked out the town, and then left. On the way out Melanire and I stopped and checked out Ouchee Gorge. There is a parking area and look out located on RT 4, it is a very interesting spot! And then it was back to NH, where it rained as soon as we got to the Connecticutt River....all the way back.

 

[Waumbek]

Sounds like a great hike despite no views, but go back sometime on a clear day. The view east from Killington is awesome--as far as Mt Washington on the clearest days. Quechee Gorge is also, sorry, can't resist, gorgeous!

 

[MichaelJ]

Uh-oh, Tony's ahead of me on the list now!

Sounds like a fun trip! Next time I'm at Killington, though, I'll be skiing it.

 

[amstony]

No, I think your ahead, I believe you have Old Speck and Reddington in Maine...... I have 52/67 on the books.

Plus its not about the competition, it is about having fun!!! Or something like that . Anyway, it is too early to be on this board and on the computer. Off to go vote!!!!

Remember the old saying: Vote Early and VOTE OFTEN!!

Tony

 

[rambler]

Remember: even on a clear day the best views from Killington are just down from the summit at the top of the gondola lift. The tower on the summit is closed to the public, isn't it?

 

[bobandgeri]

Tony - you didn't grab Mendon Peak while you there? You could have made a round trip and grabbed that on the way down.

 

[amstony]

No, Mendon wasn't in the plan. We just beat the heavy rains, that is why we did not grab Pico either. I'd been planning to add Pico as an out back with Killington but the weather was just too "iffy". It is a another trip I don't mind making. Beautiful area to hike!

 

[MichaelJ]

What's it with you and just beating the weather, Tony? I'm starting to get suspicious...