Date: 2018-07-12
From: Governor Clement Shelter

To: 13.9 VT 100 - Killington
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: few clouds

At an elevation of 4,235 feet, Killington Peak is the second highest point in the state of Vermont. It is the home of the largest ski resort in the northeast. It is also an AT milestone I have long looked forward to hiking. Today that dream became a thing.My hike started at 0730 on a cool sunny day. It was only 4.5 miles to the Cooper Lodge Shelter, which is located just below the top of Killington. ¢The Peak¢ Restaurant is located just .3 miles from the Cooper Lodge. Since the restaurant didn¢t open until 1000 I was in no hurry to get there. After an excellent night¢s sleep in my tent I felt good right from the beginning today. The 2,000¢ climb was on a fairly even grade on mostly good terrain. It was the kind of start that gently awakened my leg muscles and allowed me to get into a good rhythm.With the exception of the sound of my own breathing, the silence of the forest was calming. I felt good about feeling good and just took in my surroundings. I just love taking in the sights and subtle sounds as the green tunnel passes me by. Things as simple as the diversity in the texture and color of moss on rocks and logs leaves me in awe. I¢m in a good place in my wonderment. The green tunnel was so thick today that there was no glimpse of Killington until I was standing on the summit. For days I have been able to view it from afar from various vistas and fire towers. Today I was part of the mountain, hidden under its canopy, among its lush undergrowth.I arrived at the Cooper Lodge Shelter just before 1000. A couple of other hikers were already there, getting ready to take the blue blaze to the top. It was another 350¢ in elevation gain to the top. We all dropped our packs and started the short, but extremely steep climb to the peak. I personally classify an elevation gain of 1,000¢ per mile (100¢/.1 mile) as steep. It is a 1:1 ration. A 1:2 ratio (500¢/mile) is a moderate climb. The short scramble up to Killington Peak was nearly 2:1 (extremely steep) ratio. One of the other hikers commented that this is what a good portion of the White Mountains in New Hampshire is like. It¢s all good training. With no packs to weigh us down, we were at the top in under 5 minutes. Just after I pulled myself over the final rock, jaw dropping views in every direction came into sight. For the first time I could see the challenge that lie ahead to north and east.The ski lodge/food court are located another tenth of a mile down the other side of the mountain. I walked down some stairs and past a operating gondola lift that was bringing tourists to the top. The lodge was spacious and comfy. In no hurry to get lunch, I started with a cup of coffee to sip on as I uploaded pictures from yesterday¢s hike. I eventually got around to ordering a pricey, yet tasty chicken wrap. Two hours passed from the time I arrived at the shelter below the summit until I started hiking again. I could get used to this pace. The hike off of Killington was as easy as the hike up. The weather-worn spruce trees were eventually replaced with tall hickory, oak, beech, and maple trees. The green forest floor was spacious under the old growth trees. After several miles the trail came to Maine Junction. This marks the spot where the Long Trail splits off to the north to Canada. The AT will travel generally eastward from here until crossing into New Hampshire. I will miss the fresh and enthusiastic LT Hikers. I must admit that their awe of AT Thru Hikers was good for the ego¢lol.Towards the end of the hike I hit a small section of trail that was very soft and unmarked. It was apparent that it had just been rerouted. A little further down the trail I ran into a group of five trail maintainers from the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (VYCC). We chatted for a few minutes and I thanked them for their hard work. Soon after leaving the VYCC I entered the Gifford Woods State Park. There were tent sites there and a coin shower. If I had seen the park office I might have stayed. Instead, I called the Killington Motel as soon as I departed the campgrounds and crossed over VT 100. I inquired about their room rate. The price was right. Then I asked if I could get a shuttle from/to the trail. The owner arrived 5 minutes later to pick me up. 90 minutes later I was showered and enjoying pizza and salad in my room. A good ending to a perfect day!Peace & Blessings - NSElevation Data:Ascent - 3,270Descent - 3,580Grade - 9.3Weather:Day - 77 / SunnyNight - 57 / ClearOver The Horizon: Hanover, NH