Mount Keen

[jupe1407]

Mount Keen is one of those hills I've been putting off for ages, largely due to reading a lot of un-exciting stuff about it. However, being on holiday and having nothing to do yesterday, I decided i fancied getting it out of the way. I hadn't been expecting much beforehand, but thanks to a combination of nice weather, heather in full bloom and almost standing on a rather p***ed off adder, it was quite an interesting wee jaunt.

Having parked at Invermark, I took the short walk along the road, to the well signposted path, which makes it's way through Glen Mark. The glen looked quite bonny, with large swathes of heather looking resplendent in purple bloom.

Heather

The path in is mostly excellent and makes for easy walking.

Path through Glen Mark

I decided to take the wee branch off for the Queen's Well, and was too busy faffing around with my rucksack to notice a basking adder. I was about 6 inches short of planting my right foot on top of it, before i noticed it and almost jumped backwards. The adder was less than pleased and skulked off into the heather. I took a few photos of the Queen's Well and thanks to the adrenaline rush, the next stretch didn't seem to take too long.

Queen's Well

Shortly afterwards, the path leaves the Glen and heads for high ground. The colours at this time of year really are excellent.

Glen Mark

Path up towards the plateau

Before long, the plateau is reached and the good path continues on, before a cairn marks the obvious jump off point for the final pull towards the summit area.

Towards Mount Keen Summit

In just over two hours, I reached the summit trig point, and sat down for some lunch. The views around, although not of spectacular mountains, were lovely and i must say, it's quite a pleasant wee summit.

Trig Point

After a wee while at the top, I headed back the same way. This didn't take long at all, and i was back at the car in a total of under 4 hours.

A brief report, for a brief munro

[Fife Flyer]

Nice way to spend a spare bit of time, certainly not too strenuous
Some good photo's John

[jupe1407]

Nice way to spend a spare bit of time, certainly not too strenuous
Some good photo's John

Thanks

The adder incident was mildly strenuous

[Tomsie]

I never minded this hill or found it boring could be to do with being the first, always went from other side. Nice colours in the pictures

[jupe1407]

Thanks Tomsie, I think it's seen as a fairly unspectacular hill, but i enjoyed it. I'd certainly do it again at some point, maybe a linear route by exiting Glen Tanar.

Lochnagar also looks terrific from Mount Keen.

[mrssanta]

love your first pic

[jupe1407]

love your first pic

Thanks

I got a new lens for my birthday so have been mucking around with it a fair bit.