42 DIVISION V
Clement Shelter and Blue Triangle Camp quite near together but not in sight of each other. Governor Clement Shelter, at the left in an open field, is a beautiful open front stone hut, with bunks for 12 and a fireplace, and was built by the family of William H. Field of Mendon and named for the late Gov. Percival W. Clement. The Blue Triangle Camp, at the right in the woods, on the bank of the brook, is a closed cabin with stove and bunks for 12, and was built with funds provided by the Blue Triangle Club of the Vermont Y. W. C. A. Clarendon Shelter to Governor Clement Shelter and Blue Triangle Camp, 5.7 miles, 3 1/2 hours (southbound, 3 1/4 hours).
From these camps the Trail follows up along the bank of a brook about 2 1/4 miles to an old mill site, and then turns left to begin the real climb up Killington Peak. After about 1 1/2 miles of steep and steady climbing, another half mile of fairly easy trail brings one to a circular steel camp, closed, with stove and bunks. Here the side trail to the summit of Killington turns right, and 300 feet up this side trail is located the Stone Hut, closed, with stove, fireplace and bunks. A caretaker is usually kept here by the Killington Section of the Green Mountain Club, of Rutland, during the hiking season, and a small charge is made for accommodations. He also keeps a few simple supplies for sale. Governor Clement Shelter and Blue Triangle Camp to Killington Camp, 4 1/2 miles, 3 1/4 hours (southbound, 2 1/4 hours).
The Trail from the Stone Hut to the top of the peak is short and steep, but the magnificent view in all directions from the bare, rocky summit repays the climber for his efforts. In clear weather all the prominent peaks of the Green Mountains, from Glastenbury to Mansfield, are visible, as well as many mountains in New Hampshire and New York, while the city of Rutland lies near the foot of the mountain to the west, and the shining waters
43
DIVISION V
of Lake Champlain, with the Adirondacks behind, can be seen to the northwest. Killington Peak is the second highest summit in the Green Mountains (4,241 feet above sea level), and takes its name from the old town of Killington, which ceased to exist many years ago.
On the flat a short distance below the steel camp is a cold spring at the left. A trail called the Bucklin Trail leads west down the mountain to Brewers' Corners, which can be reached by car and another trail leads eastward (with one coming down from the top to meet it) to West Bridgewater, 6 miles away. This is sometimes called the Juggernaut Trail. These approach trails are marked by blue blazes. The Long Trail runs north from the east side of the above flat along the ridge connecting Killington and Pico Peaks. In the first saddle north of Killington the Trail divides, one branch going on the east and the other on the west side of the ridge, the two joining in the saddle a mile farther on. The two branches do not differ in length or difficulty, so the hiker may choose whichever pleases his fancy. Near this junction, a second branch trail swings to the left around the west side of Pico Peak, rejoining The Long Trail at a point some distance north of Pico Junction; this branch trail is marked with blue blazes and does not climb to the summit of Pico Peak.
As the Trail swings around the east side of Pico Peak, a side trail turns off to the left to climb the peak and pass on down the north side to meet the main Trail again at Pico Junction. In a clearing beyond this side trail is Pico Shelter, open front, log shelter with stove and bunks for 12; a very sightly location on the east slope of the peak (Killington, directly south; Ascutney, southeast). A few yards east of Pico Camp is a fine cold spring beside the Trail, and below it, taking its water from the spring, is the only shower bath on The Long Trail, natural waterfalls excepted. It is
Machine-read from the 1937 scan. Text is the OCR’d original, unedited — including its age and its typos.
