2014-09-14 日光白根山
near Yumoto, Tochigi (Japan)
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Trail photos
Itinerary description
Day hike to Nikko-Shirane
We started too late and it was already light when we got to Chuzenjiko and there was just some disappearing pink patches in the clouds above Nantaisan when we got to the parking lot.
The trail from the parking lot to 金精峠 is very steep with ropes and ladder. The numerous roots and rocks and stable and offer good holds so there is no particular danger. There is a nice view of Nantai-san and 金精山 from the pass. The trail becomes steep again after a flat part for the ascension of 金精山, signs advice caution about the cracks in the trail but I could notice none.
From 金精山 the trail is less steep and quite easy to walk. When we started going down and walked in the woods the sun was still low and it passed through the trees partly filtered while the fog was evaporating slowly. The result was magnificent, we could see the rays of light on the moving moisture. At each step the pattern changed and I could not let go of my camera.
After a while we got to 五色山 from where we could finally see Nikko Shirane towering above Goshiki pond. On the East we had a clear view of Nyoho-san and Nantai-san. Clouds to the North occluded partly the mountains.
Until Mae-Shirane the trail is very easy and the view unobstructed, it is relatively steep to go down to the pond and going back up to the summit is also a bit steep. Because it was a 3-day week-end and because the weather was great the summit was absolutely jammed with people climbing from the West after riding the lift. People were waiting in line to get a picture with the summit sign. Going down to the next pond on steep rocks with hundreds of people not really sure of their footing was a pain but after that they all went on the trail towards the lift station so overall it was crowded over a little portion of the trail.
From the pond to the car there is nothing worth mentioning in terms of scenery. There is a very gentle uphill from the trail head back to the pass and after that we have to go down the very steep slope to reach the parking lot again.
Overall it was a very pleasant hike with great views for the most part of the trail. Steep sections make it delicate to consider with kids or unfit people.
More pictures here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/qcdxa7jroljhhcs/AADQHoP3Ff0x9RZnkGu0r0EYa?dl=0
We started too late and it was already light when we got to Chuzenjiko and there was just some disappearing pink patches in the clouds above Nantaisan when we got to the parking lot.
The trail from the parking lot to 金精峠 is very steep with ropes and ladder. The numerous roots and rocks and stable and offer good holds so there is no particular danger. There is a nice view of Nantai-san and 金精山 from the pass. The trail becomes steep again after a flat part for the ascension of 金精山, signs advice caution about the cracks in the trail but I could notice none.
From 金精山 the trail is less steep and quite easy to walk. When we started going down and walked in the woods the sun was still low and it passed through the trees partly filtered while the fog was evaporating slowly. The result was magnificent, we could see the rays of light on the moving moisture. At each step the pattern changed and I could not let go of my camera.
After a while we got to 五色山 from where we could finally see Nikko Shirane towering above Goshiki pond. On the East we had a clear view of Nyoho-san and Nantai-san. Clouds to the North occluded partly the mountains.
Until Mae-Shirane the trail is very easy and the view unobstructed, it is relatively steep to go down to the pond and going back up to the summit is also a bit steep. Because it was a 3-day week-end and because the weather was great the summit was absolutely jammed with people climbing from the West after riding the lift. People were waiting in line to get a picture with the summit sign. Going down to the next pond on steep rocks with hundreds of people not really sure of their footing was a pain but after that they all went on the trail towards the lift station so overall it was crowded over a little portion of the trail.
From the pond to the car there is nothing worth mentioning in terms of scenery. There is a very gentle uphill from the trail head back to the pass and after that we have to go down the very steep slope to reach the parking lot again.
Overall it was a very pleasant hike with great views for the most part of the trail. Steep sections make it delicate to consider with kids or unfit people.
More pictures here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/qcdxa7jroljhhcs/AADQHoP3Ff0x9RZnkGu0r0EYa?dl=0
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