Mendon Peak rises to 3,850 feet as a spur off the western flank of the Coolidge Range within Calvin Coolidge State Forest, flanked to the east by Little Killington. The mountain ranks 85th on the AMC's New England Hundred Highest list, drawing hikers to one of central Vermont's quieter ridgelines.
The summit is trailless and the standard approach involves a sustained bushwhack. Starting from the Bucklin Trailhead on Wheelerville Road, the route follows old logging roads before heading off-trail toward the summit, covering roughly 8 miles round trip with about 2,100 feet of gain. The southern climb to the high ridge passes through thick vegetation and over a false summit before a worn herd path leads to the true top. A register canister marks the summit.
The wooded summit itself has no open view, but a rocky ledge a short distance back offers a look across to Killington Peak and the surrounding Green Mountain ridgeline. Navigating the logging road junctions requires attention, and a downloaded topo map is strongly recommended. Snow can linger on north-facing terrain well into spring, while summer foliage makes the bushwhack particularly dense. Mendon is frequently combined with Little Killington or Killington Peak for a longer outing.
