Category: Hiking

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Mount Rose Summit in the Fall

This is my second visit for this summit. I didn’t complete to the top because of snow last winter, and I was here again when there is no snow on the trail. If you can compare the pictures with my previous post, you will notice how it is different between two seasons. I arrived parking lot about 8:30 am, and there are still many spots left on Sunday. The weather can’t be good as today.

Last winter, all the trails are completely covered by snow, now I was able to see all trails and signs. As you can see, there are many variations along this trail, so be careful whenever you meet a junction. The trail is well maintained, and it is not hard to find the route to the summit.

The first half of the trail is mostly flat, and very easy to follow. It will lead to you to the waterfall.

The peak is what I am going to today, but it looks very far from where I look at.

Mount Rose Summit
Waterfall

From the waterfall, it said 3 miles to the summit.

The last one mile to the summit was very challenging for me, because it is 6 months since my last hiking.

The summit has no sign, or I don’t find it. I just know it is because the most highest and there are many people taking a rest. Chipmunk is so close to me. There are still a lot of smoke here and the view is not great. Fortunately, there is no high wind on the summit, and I was able to enjoy snacks and rest. Get down was always so easy, especially today.

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Mount Rose Summit in Lake Tahoe

Tips: 1. When you attempt this during winter, be careful with snow. Watch the weather if there is snowfall before on your hiking date. 2. Prepare winter gears, snowshoe, microspike, crampon, long gaiters, water proof clothing, sunglass, weather resistant gloves or mitt.

I underestimated the seriousness of snow, and did not prepared winter gears well. I did not finished to summit, and needed to turn back less than a midpoint. The trails are all disappeared because of snow, and I depends on my hiking apps on my phone.

I was arrived parking lot around 9:00 am, and there is just one car there.

Parking

The trailhead sign is covered by snow.

Trailhead

You can find any trail except the foot steps.

Trail

There is ski traces in some sections, and it made me so difficult where to go.

Ski traces

It is seriously getting deeper, and I almost felt walking in swamp with the depth of my waist in some sections.

Trail with lots of snow

I had to turn back because I don’t have snowshoe and gaiters long enough to protect my feet.

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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.