A day to remember on Mount Keen

Hill: Mount Keen (Smooth or pleasant hill).
Category: Munro
Height: 939m
This was to be the highlight of my short trip and I am delighted to say that it did not disappoint on both the views and the wildlife.

An enjoyable early morning drive through the stunning Glen Esk to the car park at Invermark, already half a dozen cars in situ so not alone on the hills. A good sign as being selfish they might have broken a snow trail if going up Mount Keen.
It was a long walk through the glen before the climb started but just taking in the scenery helped it to go past. As well as concentrating on not slipping on the icy patches whilst looking around. A pair of skylarks are having a mating ritual whilst a stonechat sings hoping his turn is coming if he can attract a partner.

View of Mount Keen from the glen

Far in the distance the ascent track going up the hill stands out, initially brown but soon turning white, but from here it looked a long way away.

She got about, the Queens Well

Just before the climb started there was time to have a close look at the granite arches of the Queen's Well. The spring waters are still flowing but all a little dilapidated, needs a good clean out. 
Now climbing and the Ladder Burn is crossed via an iron grid which like the Arches is past its best but saved me from getting wet boots.

Poor hare eagles had just started their meal

As the track headed up the Ladder Glen a pair of golden eagles rose from the ground, quickly gaining height. It wasn’t until the descent I spotted the remains of this mountain hare which they had either caught or were scavenging, no doubt back for it later.
The zig-zig ascent was both snow and ice but not enough ice to put on spikes but my breathing told me I was putting in effort.

First view of the top

This middle section was a case of following those ahead whose steps had broken the snow but only a couple of them so other car occupants had gone elsewhere. 
Still, there was still plenty of crust breaking for me and into calf or even knee deep drifts. Not as fit as I once was, this was a good test. 

Getting closer but still a good hour away to the trig

My route reading assured me that there should have been a very obvious path here somewhere but who wants an easy summer walk? Me! The path had merged with the snow landscape.

Take in the view

As always stopping for a breather let me look around. Cracking views over to Lochnagar and its pals. Looking backwards just as good.
Looking forward I could at least still see the objective albeit the wind has picked up and it became distinctly nippy, gloves on. Plenty of red grouse wandering about close by and unconcerned. A lone snow bunting, it is yonks since I saw one of them.

A rockier and very icy section to be cleared before the trig point comes into view, relief.

The crags of Lochnagar middle right

The views are stunning from this the most easterly of the Munros. Walkhighlands describes the surrounding landscape as one of vast, sweeping moorland rather than mountains but it is more than that on a day like this. Well worth the effort.
At the cairn there are a couple of people but not the numbers compared to the cars. From the other side a lady on skies appears followed by a guy who had cycled from the other side as the walk in even longer than Glen Esk.

A close in of some of the red deer herd

On the descent my eye is caught by something on the opposite hill that does not look right. Binos out and vindicated, magnificent it is a single file of red deer herd of 60-70 going to the summit. I have seen plenty of red deer but never seen a snow scene single file train, made my day.

Descending to the glen

Back to the long walk out but it has been an excellent day and really glad that I made the decision to head up to the north east for a few days.

Wildlife: Red Deer (herd 60+); Skylarks mating; Stonehatch; Golden eagle pair; Snow Bunting; Red squirrel; Mistle Thrush; Great Tit; Oystercatcher.

Time: 5.13
Ascent: 748m
Distance: 18.2km