Mount Keen
Posted: Thu Feb 27, 2014 12:18 amGot a late start, drove up from Edinburgh and arrived at the car park around11.30am. After getting the kit together we set off over the bridge and bearing left picked up the well marked sign for Mount Keen (5miles) and queens well (2 miles). Although there was a very light drizzle in the air this was the first walk for while where it was relatively speaking dry (ish!). The forecast was for an improving day and we where not disappointed, every step the weather seemed to improved.
The track along Glen Mark was easily followed and although wet, gave no great problems and nice flat walking to reach the Queens well.
Breaking right at the cottage at Glen Mark just after the Queens well we crossed the burn and started the steady ascent again on well made track with jackets off! First time this year I might add.
As we passed along the side of the Knowe of Crippley it was jackets back on as we started toward the top of mount Keen that was now visible directly in front of us but still slightly misted over at the top. There was nothing like the snow I was expecting and the ice axe and crampons where never needed. We did cross spans of snow as we climbed towards the stone steps heading to the trig point. The wind was cold but we still were catching some great views over towards Lochnagar.
Reaching the top of Mount Keen it was cold but all in all a good day for walking. After a quick bite to eat in the small bield below the trig point the mist lifted and we where treated to some great views all the way back down the valley where we had just travelled.
We followed our track back down the hill making quick time with the easy going down hill and flat walk back to the car park.
This was a good walking day and excellent walk that, whilst following well made paths all the way was a good winter hill and great way to spend a day off work.
The track along Glen Mark was easily followed and although wet, gave no great problems and nice flat walking to reach the Queens well.
Breaking right at the cottage at Glen Mark just after the Queens well we crossed the burn and started the steady ascent again on well made track with jackets off! First time this year I might add.
As we passed along the side of the Knowe of Crippley it was jackets back on as we started toward the top of mount Keen that was now visible directly in front of us but still slightly misted over at the top. There was nothing like the snow I was expecting and the ice axe and crampons where never needed. We did cross spans of snow as we climbed towards the stone steps heading to the trig point. The wind was cold but we still were catching some great views over towards Lochnagar.
Reaching the top of Mount Keen it was cold but all in all a good day for walking. After a quick bite to eat in the small bield below the trig point the mist lifted and we where treated to some great views all the way back down the valley where we had just travelled.
We followed our track back down the hill making quick time with the easy going down hill and flat walk back to the car park.
This was a good walking day and excellent walk that, whilst following well made paths all the way was a good winter hill and great way to spend a day off work.
There has not been many days like that recently, not a bad start to 2014. 
