September 2018 – Hiking blogs

September 11, 2018September 18, 2018

Hallasan via Gwaneumsa

Duration: 5 hours ( 2:38 up, 2:20 down), excluding 30 minutes break in Samgakbon, 20 minutes break at the top.

Elevation gain: 1370 m

Trailhead: Gwaneumsa

This is one of my todo list a long time ago, because it is the highest point in South Korea. There are two main routes to the top, Gwaneumsa and Seongpanak courses. Gwaneumsa course is shorter and more elevation gain, which means it is harder than Seongpanak course. So, I decided to take Gwaneumsa trail on way up, and take Seongpanak trail on way down.

The trailhead is as normal as other trail, and there are well informed signs every mile or half mile. It was easy to follow.

The first 1/3 ( green line on the sign) is relatively easy, not much elevation gain.

The last 2/3 has a lot stairs and steep, and you will need good shape to get through this route. Also, there is time limit at the Samgakbong Shelter, and you need to pass this point by 12:30 pm in order to go the top. Otherwise you will be blocked by park staff for the safety. This is shortening 30 minutes during winter and lengtheing 30 minutes during summer.

This is Samgakbong, and Samgakbong shelter. There is sign that shows prohibited time.

There is water fountains before Yongjingak Hyunsugyo, but it is not clear it can be edible.

Finally, I am at the Baengnokdam, and it was so many people waiting to take picture even though the weather is not favorable. Also there is a sign to descend by 14:00.

September 6, 2018September 17, 2018

Seoraksan Biseondae and Ulsanbawi Course

For these two routes, we passed through gate and leave our car to the furthest parking area. The fee to pass the gate is roughly 2000-3000 won per person. ( I don’t remember the exact amount.)

There is a big Buddharupa at the beginning, and the tiny rock behind the tree is the place we go today.

There is old writings on the rock by the water, which was written in Joseon dynast. Three peaks forms the Biseondae. They are looking small, but these are huge when it gets close.

This view is seen from the Geumganggul cave, which is in the rocks of the mountain above 600 m from see level.

On way down, we see a lot of wild mushrooms. But we are not sure which one can be edible or not. Always it is best to avoid harvest and take unknown mushrooms. At the junction we came at the beginning, we take the other way and heading to Ulsanbawi. I went here in high school field trip, but I just went to Heundeulbawi, which is about 2/3 of entire route to Ulsanbawi.

The most of this route has stairs with wood and stone, and very steep in some sections. The view from the Ulsanbawi is spectacular.

September 5, 2018September 17, 2018

Seoraksan Namgyori Course

HikJDistance: 8.6 Km

Duration: 4:30

Trailhead: Jangsudae Ranger Station

I went this mountain last year, and this time I took different route. This Namgyori course is easier than the course I did. Because this is one-way route, we needed park one car at the Namgyori park, and drove another car at Jangsudae Ranger Station. It is 8.6 Km long, and there is a major junction at 2.7 km.

Not too long from the trailhead, we was able to see DaeSeung Waterfall due to recent rain. Usually there is no water stream here, and we are so lucky to see it.