Killington Columbus Day Ski Sale and Swap at Snowshed base lodge, Saturday October 8, 2005 

Inclement weather has not kept away skiers and riders looking for equipment bargains at the annual Columbus Day Weekend Ski Swap and Sale at Killington. The event is held each year at the Snowshed Base Lodge to benefit the Killington Ski Club. I spoke directly with several ski shop owners who were promoting their wares at the event. They were reporting that in spite of the rain, that the number of people buying merchandise at the sale seemed consistent with the last several years. I saw many people walking out of the base lodge with new and used ski's and snow boards. Now all we need is some cold weather to turn the Non-Crystaline Precipitation, AKA "NCP" we are experiencing into something white, light, and fluffy.

Fall Colors at Killington Welcome Sign on Route 4 at Killington - Mendon town line. This picture taken on October 6, 2005 at approx 7:00 AM 

Colors have really started to pop around Killington. Maples are coming our with brilliant reds; the oaks are a nice burnished orange. Hopefully the rain predicted during the weekend does not wash all of the leaves away. This picture was taken on October 6th, at approximately 7:00 AM. at the Killington welcome sign on Route 4 at the Killington - Mendon town line.

Fall Colors at Sherburne Pass. This picture taken on October 5, 2005 at approx 1:45PM 

One of the interesting aspects of life at Killington is that there are few stores which carry commercial quantities of goods. So you find yourself traveling to Rutland Vermont over the Sherburne Pass on Route 4 quite frequently. During the winter, this ride can be interesting, too say the least. But during the fall, when the colors explode on the mountains, the ride is down rite pleasant. We keep the camera in the car and just shoot pictures, if we have a few spare minutes. This picture was taken from an overlook on one of the side roads from the Pico resort, looking back towards the Sherburne Pass. The rock outcropping at is Deers Leap. This picture was taken mid-day, Wednesday afternoon, October 4rd, at approximately 1:45 PM. As you can see, the haze from the previous day had diminished. It is a glorious, warm fall day.

Fall Colors from the top of Deers Leap. This picture taken on October 4, 2005 at approx 12:45PM 

Fall colors are brightening every day. We went for a hike to the top of Deers Leep overlooking the Sherburne Pass for a picnic lunch. The colors were vivid, but there was a fair amount of haze in the distance. This picture looks west along Route 4 towards Mendon VT. The mountain in the distance is Blue Ridge Mountain, elevation 3278 ft. The picture for this entry was taken mid-day, Tuesday afternoon, October 4rd, at approximately 12:45 PM. The sun was basically overhead inclined to the south (left of frame).

Fall Colors around Killington Peak. This picture taken on October 3, 2005 at approx 5:45PM 

Cool evening temperatures are starting to heighten the colors on the trees around Killington Peak. The apocalyptic wind storm we had on Thursday September 28 removed some of the leaves from the trees that had turned early, stripping out many of the yellows contributed by birch and poplars. But the maple and oak leaves held fast and are just now turning vivid red and orange. The picture for this entry was taken late Monday afternoon, October 3rd, at approximately 5:45 PM. The sun had set behind Pico, which is to the right of Killington outside of the frame of the picture. The top of Killington peak was still has bathed in bright sun, but the rest of the area had gone to shadow forcing a low light setting on the camera.

Fall Colors adorn the Killington Valley. This picture taken on September 27, 2005 at approx 6:15PM 

Fall color has definately started to come out in the valley around Killington. Many trees are starting to show color, although there is still a way to go before "peak". The colors right now are most vivid in the early morning and late afternoon. The picture for this entry was taken late Tuesday afternoon, September 27, at approximately 6:15 PM. The sun had just gone down over Pico, which is to the right of Killington outside of the frame of the picture. The Killington Valley has bathed in the reflected glow of sun from the clouds, but not in direct sunlight. The mountain peak on the right side of the frame is Killington. On the left is Sky Peak.

Mary, the one of the innkeepers at the Birch Ridge Inn at Killington, stacking wood for the fall and winter season. 

Fall is definately in the air at Killington. All over town the trees are begininng to show some spots of color. Temperatures each night are starting to come down into the 40's, with low to mid 30's predicted during the evenings this weekend.

Businesses all over town are also begininng the seasonal switch. Woodpiles are getting stacked to prepare for the winter. Activity abounds in most of the local ski shops as they prepare for the opening sales over Columbus day weekend. All of this is in sharp contrast to what we are seeing happening along the gulf coast.