Sound of Music, 2013

May 5, 2013

Finally, Bruiser and Jane are on island to hike the Sound of Music trail. It will be our last chance for this year before the grassy field obliterates the trails until next year's Xterra race. We are fortunate that Doc and Penny are also able to join us. Chops is back from her sojourn to take this beautiful hike once more.

Early Sunday morning, we gather at the entrance to Chops' house on Mt. Tapochau Road. We plan to hike the Lamar trail as well, as it will also be closed up until next year's race.

Chops and Rexplorer pause for picture taking, Jane, Bruiser, Doc and Penny following toward the Lamar Trail.

Caught in a sudden shower part way on the Lamar trail, we duck into this shed by the avocado tree. Soon the shower stops and we are on our way.

The Lamar trail has some of the old growths and this lush fern field. The ubiquitous vines are crawling over some of the ferns, hopefully will not choke them. 

Chops, CC, Bruiser, Jane, Penny & Doc waist deep on the disappearing trail.

Finally out of the Lamar trail onto Captive Way. We will return to Mt. Tapochau Road for the ascend toward the top and the trail that begins to circle Mt. Tapochau and the Sound of Music meadows.

Another group photo by the old gun. Unfortunately the gun does not show in the picture. Another little shower meets us nearby, and Jane still has her rain gear on. From here on it will be boonies and grass fields.

Open vista of Naftan, the southern tip of the island.

Bruiser in his poncho taking our picture. We are now in the Sound of Music meadow.

After crossing the first S.O.M. (the original one), we continue on through a small forest and exit onto the second S.O.M. Here we encounter the ATV crashing through the field. These vehicles go off trails and often mark up the grass field, spoiling the beauty of nature.

We set our snack bar by the stone bench. After our break, Doc and Penny survey the area, Chops and Jane wait for Bruiser to get back on our way.

Chops and Jane back on the trail as Susupe slowly falls behind in the background.

After leaving the meadow, we are on the road that wraps around the west side of the mountain. Here we are in the midst of a large birds nest fern forest. Penny, Rexplorer, Jane and Bruiser are taking a closer look at these amazing ferns.

Chops, Rexplorer and CC have gone ahead, as Bruiser and Jane wait for Doc and Penny who wanders off for a while, enjoying the fern forest up close.

Rexplorer picks up this large chain and lock from the ground. Not sure who owns it and why it is there. 

A broken down huge ATV resting on the side of the road, missing a tire. Obvious attempts must have been made to remove the vehicle. Bruiser tries his hand in moving this three-wheel monster! 

Shortly after we are back on the road, this huge ATV rushes up the road with four tourists, driven by one of them, no tour guide in sight. These monster ATV are also responsible for marking the meadows and gouge out the dirt road, making it impassible during rainy season.

The final ascend toward the main road. It is now quite hot, and we are pretty tired. Penny and Jane focus on their steps. CC stops taking any photo after this (don't know why). After hitting the main Tapochau Road, we make a detour to examine the new Russian condos (with permission). 

Today's hike takes us five hours to complete. We are fortunate that most of the time the weather is quite cool and breezy, with occasional quick showers. We are happy to have made this trip with everyone. With rainy season approaching, we will select future hikes carefully. Today's hike is definitely rate as a five-sneaker adventure. 

Fire Trails

April 17, 2013

The day starts out as normal. In the morning Rexplorer notices a fire burning on the road to Mt. Achugao. Fire department is notified, fire truck arrives and put out the fire. All seems well.

An urgent phone call in the afternoon from home, apparently the fire has rekindled and traveled east and south, encouraged by the westerly wind. Capt. Charlie rushes home to check out the situation. Soon Rexplorer arrives, and with neighbor Russ, begin to head off the flame that has jumped across the road to our backyard. Three fire trucks and about ten firemen confront the fire on the east side. Soon other government departments also arrive as the fire continues on the east toward our other neighbor's house.

Russ using the garden hose to wet down the grass as the flames threaten to advance closer. 

Line of fire snaking across the hillside toward our neighbor's home. It actually butts right up to the edge of the yard as firemen ward off its fierce assault. The flame eventually round the lower field and continue eastward.

Burning continues through the night. Kagman is visible in the distance. By morning, a small flame, with a short burst, eventually dies.

April 27, 2013

As no other hikers are available for this Sunday hike, either by being off island or having other commitments, CC and Rexplorer decide to take Sukha dog to go down the Xterra Trail and check out the fire damage which we expect to be extensive. The fire has obviously jumped across the trail, but we are not sure which are the contact points.

The air is still a bit hazy, and smoky smelling. Both sides of the trail suffer large patches of damage.

Sukha pauses to survey the damage to his favorite hiking trail. The view is opened up to LauLau.

The hill sides are barren, covered with ashes. Only the thickest parts of tree growths are spared.

A burned golf ball. We are surprised to find a whole bunch of burned golf balls in this area, far away from any golf course!

A lone tree standing, held by the rock base, with only the top portion of the tree unmolested by the flames.

This grove of CC's favorite coconut trees, remain unharmed, being tucked away in the valley below the fire zone.

May 3rd, 2013

Rexplorer, CC, and neighbors Russ and Cheryl decide to take a hike to the Achugao area where the fire originated. Stopping by this lean-to and see the burned trees. We begin the hike just before 5 p.m.

Burned coconuts.

The fire has burned all around Mt. Achugao, opening up the entire area. The original trail disappears as we near the foot of the mountain, but we don't seem to need a trail. Cheryl, Russ, and Rexplorer start up the steep hillside.

Cheryl uses one of our favorite climbing technics as Rexplorer gives words of encouragement. The loose rocks and fallen pine needles make the steep slope slippery. 

Top of the Achugao ridge. Fantastic view of the old Palm Hotel and San Roque village.

Crossing over the ridge top, we see the view of Tanapag all the way to Smiling Cove. Burned branches are visible in the foreground. 

Standing on top of Achugao ridge, Happy Snows are glad they venture up and be able to enjoy the view not many people have ever seen.

Going up maybe tough, coming down is a whole new challenge. Russ is practicing the one-legged  balance.

Everyone on their own to find the best direction down without tripping on the loose rocks.

As we continue our tour over the ashy grounds, we notice many of this type of "foxholes", some with strong fortification, some are just a shallow hole dug into the ground.

Part of the Paradise Valley overlooking the ocean beyond San Roque village.

A surprise find of an unexploded bomb wedged between two rocks.

Pine needles browned by the fire but still gracefully hanging on the branches.

Holding a small bottle with his ash-covered hand, Russ is trying to read the writing on the bottom.

A bomb shell.

Another fortified hole right at the edge of the cliff, with a vantage point of the entrance to the valley.

Another view of the valley below. From this edge, it's a straight drop into the valley. We finish our tour from here, completely satisfied with this rare opportunity to tromp all over the hillside and see the unobstructed view of the valley, the coastline, the foxholes and the bomb. 

Cow Town Revisit

April 14 - We meet at the Last Command Post. Our plan to hike the Santa Claus Lane to the Grotto is switched to Cow Town when Dora says she has never been to the Cow Town Trail. Handy, Cutie, and Capt. Charlie are all amenable to the change to expand Dora's hiking experience. 
We head toward the dump road, past the Santa Claus Lane and soon on our way to Cow Town.

Beautiful white blossoms welcome us on our way.

 Dora, Handy, and Cutie in front of the Cow Town sign. We decide not to go into the property, as there is a chain across the gate. The field is pretty overgrown anyway. Some structures are faintly visible, and Dora is satisfied to have seen the gate sign.

 

Dora showing Handy the way to the Cow Town Beach.

A fairly calm day, the surfs are mild and the sun is strong. Dora discovers a fisherman sitting on the rock. She is curious if he has caught anything.

Dora climbs the rock to check out the fort that guards the beach front. Handy lends a hand for her to get back down.

A peek through the gun window.

Two of our hikers, not on our hike, show up with a large group of people at the beach. We are delighted to have this chance meeting. Bruiser and SpiceGirl pose for photo.

This is the group led by Bruiser to experience the sights and sounds of Saipan. They have hiked to the beach via Banzai Cliff, the opposite of our route. We leave the group and continue on our way.

On the way to Banzai trail, we stop over at the abandoned Cow Town barracks building. 

Fully expecting to show Dora the old Hillblom cigarette boat, we are surprised to see that it has been removed, with only the collapsed parts of the trailer remaining on the ground. A familiar landmark no longer.

Two bikers sharing the trail.

Handy mentions that he has heard about a big cave on this trail. CC leads Dora and Handy to the path leading to the cave. Standing on the edge of this large underground cave, they look for a possible place to descend into it.

From a different vantage point, this cave seems bottomless.

Handy back on the trail, passing through the rock garden.

After arriving at Banzai Cliff, we find a shady spot to have our snacks before finishing the hike. Dora brings this container of jackfruit that we greatly enjoy. We also once again run into Bruiser's group having a hearty breakfast in the pavilion. We join them for a while and wrap up this pleasant hike.