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Canada day 1

Wake up early morning, and headed to San Diego airport. Air Canada does not have kiosk, and I check in with staff. I just bought new carry on luggage, but I couldn’t take it with me because it was little over-sized. Waited about an hour and half, the plane finally took off. Some pretty girl sit next to me, which I never had that experience before. About 3 hours, I arrived at Canada, and the first I look at was totems, then so many people waiting for security exit.

I got a SIM card replaced, enjoy unlimited call and text, though I have no person that I know in Canada. The company name was phonebox and it has better deal than other mobile provider. Cross the street and get a skyline train. I got compass card and bought one day pass, which I can use train and bus for a day.

I needed to drop my luggage at the hotel, and luckily there is one room available and I was able to check in. Then I went to Granville island to eat lunch. It was about 20 minutes walk from hotel, and I needed to cross the bridge.

There are many new constructions going on and the view from the bridge was great.

I went public market and there many choices I can eat. I chose to eat steamed chicken thigh with vegetables. The grocery also has good selection of fruits, vegetables, and meat.

Then, I take a bus to waterfront. I didn’t decide where to go, but that’s the stop the bus was heading to. This is the place I will take tour bus tomorrow, and the mountains over the sea was impressive.

I rent a bike, and cycling along seawall which is sorrouding Stanley park.

At some point, I turn around, and return the bike. On way to hotel, I exchange the US dollar to Canada dollar, and the exchange rate was much better at VBCE than airport.

I also saw Korean grocery, and ate dinner here. I think the lunch at Granville public market is much better.

Finally, I went hotel and conclude the day 1 at Vancouver. My first impression was good, and lots of activities that I like.

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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.

 

 

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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.

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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.

2.7 Km from the trailhead, we are at DaeSeungryeoung and so windy. We stop here to take lunch break, then continue to Namgyori.

Like other trails in Korea, most of section are shaded and very comfortable even on sunny days.

There are so many waterfalls with different sizes and shapes. If you like waterfall, this is the route you should go.

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Black Mountain via Nighthawk Trail

Distance: 4.18 miles

Duration: 1:18:01

Pace: 18.38 min/mile

Elevation Gain: 717 ft

Trailhead: Hilltop Community Park

Black mountain is small peak which  I always see from my office to the south. Today, I decided to climb this mountain. I was supposed to leave early, but I was little lazy and get to the trailhead over 7 am. I have been here before to do work out. You can park your car at the Hilltop Community Park, and the trailhead is eastern side of park.

Most section of the trail is easy to follow, and always take Nighthawk Trail. You can take a left turn at the most of junctions and see the peak on your left while going up. When you close to the peak, there is steel door. Once you pass that and turn left to the wide section of the peak. You can return the way you came.

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Murray Ridge Park

After a short hike to Kwaay Paay peak, I was looking some place for quick work out. Recently, I am obsessed with body weight work out. On way to the home, I stopped by Murray Ridge Park. It is not a big, but there is pull up bar, parallel bar and abs bench.

There is three pull up bars with different height. The area is shaded in the morning, which is good to work out. The parallel bar is a kind of wide. The grass is well maintained.

I was able to do 6 strict pull ups on the highest bar, and it is harder compare to the gym.

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Kwaay Paay Peak

This is very short hike that travels to Kwaay Paay Peak from Kumeyaay Lake Campground.

Distance: 3 miles

Duration: 1:28:00

Pace: 29.19 min/mile

Elevation Gain: 853 ft

Trailhead: Bushy Hill Dr at Father Junipero Serra Trail ( It is across Kumeyaay Lake Campground)

At the intersection of Father Junipero Serra Trail and Bushy Hill Dr, there is a parking lot on the left, and Kumeyaay Lake Campground on the right. If the parking lot is full, you can park on Father Junipero Serra Trail, just outside of the gate. Remember the gate locked at night, if you plan to hike late afternoon. Follow Father Junipero Serra Trail about 0.2 miles, you will see the sign of Kwaay Paay Peak Trail, and 1.2 miles from here.

Soon, there is a junction, either way will merge into the same place, the left turn is little longer. I just take right turn.

About 0.45 miles, these two way meet, and continue to the straight at here.

In a minute, there is another junction, which meet the trail from Mission Dam, here continue staight.

About a quarter miles, there is a sign to the peak 0.8 miles to go. Even though it is short trail, it is pretty steep most of the section. Enjoy the view at the peak, and return the same way.

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Cowles and Pyles peak via Big Rock Trail

This is the longest way to travel cowles and pyles peak at one attempt.

Distance: 8 miles

Duration: 3:19:00

Pace: 24.01 min/mile

Elevation Gain: 1913 ft

Trailhead: Mesa blvd at Prospect Ave

To get the trailhead, you can either park at the end of Arlette St, or on the side of Mesa Blvd which is close to the actual trailhead. The trailhead sign is obviously shown on your right, and from here to Cowles mountain is 2.46 miles. Then you will pass tennis court on your right and stoney bridge ( maybe not the bridge, see the picture below ). About a half mile, you’ve got another trail sign that shows 2 miles to go.

It is mostly single and switchback style trail, and go straight on the junction that meet with Mesa Trail. On its way, there is long wood that was installed on the side of trail. It is a good stopping point you get take a short rest.

At 1.5 miles, you met with wide service road, and turn right to head Cowles Mountain. From here, you will meet a lot of people who came from Barker Way Trailhead. You can’t get lost from here, and always follow the road that is wide and many people around you.

At 2.5 miles, we reached Cowles mountain and enjoy the view. And then head to the other side, and there is the start of Pyles peak trail. There is up and downs to the Pyles peak, and it is well maintained and easy to follow.

At 4 miles, we reached the Pyles peak and return the same way we came.