There are several routes up Mars Hill via the ski trails.  This morning I decided to take the route of the Intl. Appalachian Trail.  For the most part it also follows the ski trails, but there are 4 spots where there are switchbacks where the ski trails are really steep. 

It took me just over 30 minutes to reach the summit. The distance going up was just over 1 mile, going up around 1,088 ft.  The elevation of the south peak is 1,748 ft.

The clear blue sky made for excellent views.  Snow-capped Katahdin was perfectly visible 68 miles to the southwest. 

I took a different route down, following the main ski trail.

My total distance was a little over 2 miles.  My total time was 1.5 hours.

I did not meet any other people.

Here is an interesting fact about Mars Hill.  From Wikipedia....

By virtue of its height and Northeast location, the summit of Mars Hill is the first place in the contiguous United States to see the sun rise for nearly half the year, from March 25 to September 18.[2] The first 50-star flag to see the sun in the U.S. was raised on July 4, 1960 at 4:33 AM. Fifty national guardsmen gave it a 50-gun salute.[citation needed]

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