The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-03-30
KlLLlNeroN PEAK
Descriptive Article Of Vermont Noun
tain by Mortimer R. Proctor

1T has been said that If the sur |
ace OF Vermont were stretched so !
Is to be level, il would be found TO |
contain more square inches than the |
state of Texas. This savors of that |
lage truth In anthropology which |
claims that man has lived on this
Earth lust three million years-no |
me can contradict it. Anyone, how
ever. who has crossed Vermont from |
he Connecticut river to Lake Cham |
plain will youch for the truth Of the
statement that the Green Mountain !
state lis IAN almost continuous mass I
Of rolling mountain country possess
ing rugged scenery unsurpassed at
least IN the east. In the north, we
find Mansfield, the monarch of them
all, Yet like Mont Blanc, the king
Of Switzerland, It can hardly COM
mand first place in the admiration OF
mountain lovers, simply because OF
the topography of the surrounding
In Switzerland, the view
longest remembered is that of the
great trio-Matterhorn, Monte Rosa
and Dent Blanche. Vermont, the
Switzerland of America, has very
similar situation. One might travel
from Canada to Massachusetts, and
no grander view, none more typical
of the Green Mountains could be
found than that OF the great trio
Killington (4241 feet,) Pico 1850 ft)
and Shrewsbury. Like three huge
sentinels, they tower over the very
heart OF the range. To the east and
within their very shadow, lie the
picturesque towns Of Sherburne and
Bridgewater. while on the west, Rut-
land is scarcely eight miles distant.
North and south the fprest-clad hills
stretch out as far as the eye can see
When viewed from the west, XII
lington appears to have distinctly
pointed peak. The northern side
gradually slopes downward and rises
again TO Pico peak. The southern
side dips down similarly and swing
ling slightly to the west rises 70
Shrewsbury peak-the three forming
almost half circle. From the Sher-
burne side, on the other hand, the
pointed peak seems to be replaced
by broad piatean ipclining slightly
to the west AS a Whole, the egtre
mountain, is heavily timbered In
fact, on the east side of the mountain
there has stood one of the largest
tracts OF first growth spruce in the
state This is now being numbered
by the Vermont Marble company
Generally speaking hardwood prevails
about the lower part Of the mountaii
save for section of spruce 10 III,
southeast, Higher up, spruce, hem
lock, pine and balsam very largely
predominate The last steep rock,
rise provides for little but shor
scraggly growth of spruces, while OIL
the summit there is practically nj
trace OF vegetation. The woods al
about the foot OF the mountain
abound with deer. Every path an,
woodroad seems to be a veritable run
way. A few are killed every fall bu
the denseness Of cover allows only al
occasional shot.
THE water supply on the noun
tains, though rather limited, is cor
venientiy located. The writer know
of only one large brook, and this dc
sends the northeastern slope to IN
Vermont Marble oompany's saw mil
About half mile below the peak o
the Rutland side, is a very larg
spring, which remains practically III
changed throughout the summer. S
popular is this spring with mountai
climbers In this vicinity that ofte
during midday heat one has to wa
his turn to drink OF its clear, col,
health-giying waters. Aside froi
these two water supplies there is Ii
lie except q few rivulets.
The east side OF the mountain
largely owned by the Vermont Ma
BILE company. The top and grei
portion OF the west side is owned b
NJ. e. Wheeler of Rutland, Micha
Rooney OF Rutland is also a larg
owner II may be OF interest to moi
the effort Of Mr.. Wheeler TO improN
and beautify large tract OF Ian
in this section. About ten years al
Mr. Wheeler purchased $500 acre
in the valley extending from Il
Woodstock road TO Killington on Il
west side of the mountain. A We
kept road extends the'length Of tn
estate at the south end of which n
Wheeler's spacious cottage col
mands view of the entire vale
One could hardly imagine a mo
characteristic view OF the Green MOI
tain state than can be had from IA
spot. known as Deermont. VIII,
bought but little OF this land WI
producing anything OF value. No
500 acres Of the rough stony sectio
have been brought under excele
state OF cultivation. Seven miles
streams always bountifully stock
with the speckled trout. flow throul
the land. Hunting is strictly prob
tied at all times so that now de
come freely into the fields close
the house, even at midday. lndee
Mr.. Wheelers purpose has been
preserve and improve, as far .as
can, that for which Vermont is be
known, aud exceptionally we'll h
this purpose been fulfilled.
There are ut present, three ira
leading TO the peak. each from n d
ferent side. One begins directly ba
OF the Vermont Marble compan!
mill on the east side. This 10 l
doubtedly the most difficult to folio
though by no means impossible II {
blazes are fearfully noted. From {
= mill to the peak Is about three a
y half hours walk. A second tr
I starts at West Bridgewater There
nothing to indicate the starting POI
OF this trail so inquiries should
made This Is about the same lens
as the FIRST and much easier to I
low.
by far the most comfortable "
to ascend Killington, however is
y start from Rutland, Leave the c
. on Woodstock avenue which Is
4