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| Killington |
After hitting up the job fair at Killington, I decided to hike up to both Pico and Killington from Route 4. Killington is the largest ski resort on the east coast by some measures. Pico has more skiable terrain than anything found in the Hudson Valley. I'm definitely in Vermont.
Killington and Pico are not just ski mountains. The A.T. and The Long Trail skirt near its summits. Killington is one of five of Vermont's 4000 footers and Vermont's second highest after Mansfield. Pico is one of New England's 100 highest. Both mountains are frequently visited by hikers.
Despite seeing that Killington was already open for skiing, I didn't think much about snow on the trail. I would walk through it the entire way. Fortunately, I got by fairly well without my winter boots or traction device. The scenery was beautiful. It was hard to believe it was early November. But winter comes early in the higher elevations.
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| Snow covered trail |
Unlike the trails in the Catskills, the A.T/ Long Trail by passes a lot of the summits making for less steeper grades. The walking was quite easy and pleasant despite the elevation gained. The spur trail to Pico would be the only part that was a bit difficult. My Stabilicers would have been welcome here. But the effort was well rewarded. Though cloudy, never ending views of mountains could be made out to the north. Those mountains are where the Long Trail heads to. Views of the ski trails of Killington can be made out. Mendon Peak (another of New England's 100 highest) is just to the west of Killington. In the distance, another of the many ski resorts can be seen. Okemo?
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| The view north from the slopes on Pico |
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| Mendon Peak and some more Vermont slopes |
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| Chris Hiker on Pico |
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| The Beast of the East |
The route over to Killington was a winter wonderland. The snow started to get deeper, but not so much to where snowshoes were warranted. The snow was new enough to not make a traction device necessary. The spur trail to Killington was quite steep and rocky but easy enough to negotiate. No views here, since the summit was caked in clouds. On a clear day, my guess is that the views are excellent. There are radio towers and a fire tower (which is closed to the public). The slopes are not too far below.
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| The A.T. / Long Trail |
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| Summit fire tower |
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| Killington |
The walk back was enjoyable. Because of my late start, I had to hustle as the sun was setting. On my way down Pico, I met Peter, a local doctor and his dog. We raced out, beating the setting sun to our cars while sharing stories of our walks in the Adirondacks. He grew up in the southern Adirondacks and is a 46er. A great end to a great day.
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| Sunset is approaching |
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| Endless VT mountains |
