Laderan Tangke & Bird Island

With Bruiser, Jane, Dora and Cowboy not having seen the Bird Island trail, it is decided that we should explore the Laderan Tangke trail once more to visit the Bird Island, and to refresh the ribbons on the trail. The gathering place on Sunday morning is the FlameTree parking lot. At 5:50 a.m. Bruiser, Jane, Dora, Cowboy, Chops, Wonder Woman, and CC meet to determine which cars to take to the trail head. Dora/Cowboy and CC take their two SUV and head toward Radar Hill. There, Dora/Cowboy leave their car at marker #1 parking. Everyone piles into CC's car for the bumpy 1 km drive to marker #16 parking. 

The first thing we notice are the new trail marking ribbons, and the new park directional plaques on the trees. In place of the blue and white ribbons, we figure Fish & Wildlife has changed to pink ribbons. The "hiker" plaque on the top is new.

Cowboy nears the "gate", after marker 15, that leads to the Bird Island trail.

On the Bird Island trail, there is a "mini crack" between two limestone cliffs. After passing the crack between the two cliffs, CC crouches behind a fallen rock that creates a perfect hiding place, and takes pictures as the hikers come along. Above shows Jane in a fit of laughter after being surprised; Chops feigns being frightened; Bruise being cool; and Dora amused.

Jane picks up this old bottle, likely left over from the war and still in perfect shape, and enjoys a hearty swig of Japanese beer!

Dora and Cowboy in awe of the rock formations in this old "fort". Bruiser and Jane are exploring on higher grounds. We leave all the artifacts in place.

Bruiser and Jane negotiate their way down the sharp limestone, careful not to get cut on the sharp surfaces.

Who are these tourists taking pictures? After leaving the shaded forest and limestone fort, we meander through tall bushes and emerge into bright sunlight. In front and just beyond where Chops, Jane, and Bruiser stand is the beautiful view of Bird Island. Cell phone and cameras start clicking photos.

A short and steep descend down a gully, Dora steps onto the roadway of Bird Island.

Jane butt-sliding down the gully, following Dora.

Cowboy works his way down the gully, following Jane.

Chops decides to forego the trip down to the road, and stays under the shade of the big ironwood trees, awaiting us to get over the visit down at the parking area.

We have the whole place to ourselves, enjoying the sunshine and the view, and a perfect photo opportunity with Wonder Woman, Dora, Cowboy, Jane and Bruiser.

After greeting a few bikers, we go back up to the ironwood trees. On a bed of soft needles, we spread out tablecloth and enjoy some hearty snacks, including Cowboy's veggie dumplings.

Returning from the Bird Island trail back to Laderan Tangke trail, we climb up to marker #14 and work our way backward up and down the rocky trail. Chops decides to return to marker 16 and take CC's car back to marker #1, and wait for us. Here we take a group photo under a perfect arch near marker 12: Jane, Bruiser, Wonder Woman, Cowboy, Dora, and CC. 

Cowboy finds a nice open space for a little rest.

Near marker 11 is this lookout point. Dora carefully climbs up the rocks on the edge of a sheer drop of the L.T cliff to marvel at the view.

This is the view at the lookout point. In the distance is Kagman 4.

Finally back at marker #1, Chops is waiting for us, having had a nice rest. 

A little chit-chat after everyone enjoys the hike once again. The weather is perfect, and hiking from marker 16 to 1 gives us a different perspective of the trail and landscape. With the trail so well-marked, we no long risk getting lost. All agree that, in the future, there is much possibility for further exploring among the large limestone forest. 

A great five sneaker hike, and not too long either.  

Oba Gully

Since the Oba Cave trail is one of our favorites, but the circle tour we usually take involves too much pavement pounding, CC gets permission to park one or two cars on Navy Hill Road, by friend's house. Another one or two cars will park at Gold's Gym. To accomplish this arrangement, hikers meet up at the CHC parking lot at 6 a.m. From there Dora, Wonder Woman, Spicegirl with dog Boy, and CC drive the four cars up the hill. We park two cars on the road side, then drive the other two cars to Gold's Gym. From the gym the walk to the trail head is quick and easy.

Down the gully to begin the hike are Dora, Boy, and Wonder Woman. The trail is damp and slippery from the early morning rain.

Boy performs a graceful twist to maneuver over the moss covered rocks. Check out the determined look on his face.

Spicegirl trying to climb over this narrow opening between rocks. Note the damp spots on the camera, from the very humid air in the gully.

We go off trail at one point. Instead of going uphill, we veer to the right and end up below the trail where there are several shallow caves. From there we can see the upper trail, so we climb up the rocky cliff toward the trail. Wonder Woman finds a red ball.

Dora stands on the cliff below a wonderful fern garden. A few more boulders to scramble up, we reach the regular trail. 

We reach the first, or the lowest, cave opening. It is a bit high to climb up. Wonder Woman demonstrates the height and width of the cave. Spicegirl watches and waits for her turn.

Spicegirl is doing her camouflage act again, blending into the rocks and the surrounding flora. 

Arriving at the third opening, which is the actual entrance, we find this marker at the base of the hill that leads up to the cave. The center piece looks like a coin, but we are not able to identify it.

Spicegirl and Wonder Woman checking out the interior of the cave. 

We are surprised to see that the cave is being invaded by the ubiquitous vines, some of which have actually bored though the rocks. A decision is made to pull the vines off before they could eventually overrun the whole cave. Here Wonder Woman continues to rip parts of the vines from the wall. Dora and Spicegirl are still looking for more vines inside the cave.

Wonder Woman and Spicegirl, with Boy's help, toss some of the vines out the cave.

"This is how much vines we have eliminated from the cave!" 

Having worked up a sweat, Dora exits the cave, and to resume our hike up the gully.

Although somewhat reluctant to tackle some of the steep cliffs and slippery boulders in the beginning, Boy has now become an expert rock climber. Witness the agile and well-planned technique he uses to position his feet and haul himself up.  

Dora finds this pretty little mushroom on a tree stump.

At the end of the gully, we ascend through a forest of palms and ferns. This moss covered coconut makes a good bed for the mushrooms.

We stop for a brief snack under the bamboo forest, then make our way through another small grove of bamboos. A palapala on the left seems abandoned.

This tree is covered with ferns and moss on all the branches. It is huge, spreading like an umbrella over all the other trees and plants.

It is a short distance from the exit of the trail to our cars. We are sure Boy dog will take a long and happy nap. He has earned it. We pile into the two cars and drive to Gold's Gym to pick up the other two cars. This system works great!

Although we have hiked this trail in the past, this is the first time we take a detour and find a very interesting alternative to part of the regular trail. And we work to get rid of the messy vines in the cave. It is definitely a five-sneaker hike. 

Bird Island. Waserak - Guala Rai

                         7/21/13 Bird Island Trail

Having given up trying the trail "Laderan Tangke to Bird Island" the previous week, our group decides to try again this Sunday. We will go backward from post 16 to the trail head between 15 and 14, find the BI trail to the lookout, then return back. Gathering at the trail head are Handy, Cutie, Chops, Wonder Woman, and CC. We start from Post 16.

Part way into the forest, PT Shelley joins us. Wonder Woman leads the way. Note the wet pants cuff, indicating the wet ground and humid air in the forest.

Handy having himself hanged!

Several big hermit crabs near a cave.

Near another cave are these old bowls and plates from war time. 

PT and Cutie stop for a moment to marvel at the scenery.

At the entrance of this cave, Chops pretends to be the cave woman.

In the middle of the rock forest we see this marker by NKK Company. We don't know what is the significance.

Part of a gas mask is found near a shallow cave. 

Wonder Woman points out some interesting features of the rock fortress.

Cutie and Handy take a water break.

Onward to the trail after leaving the rock fortress, PT stops by this blue tree. Likely an earlier trail marker.

At the end of the trail, just above Bird Island overlook parking lot, the group decides to forego climbing down, and have our snacks in the shade of the ironwood trees.

Returning back on the trail, a short rest at marker 15 before the end of the hike.

8/4/13 

Waserak to Guala Rai

With a new trail discovered recently, the group anxiously gathers at the Capitol Hill post office to determine how many cars will go near the trail head. PT Shelley is waiting at the lot, but due to unforeseen obstacles, decides to forego this hike. She wishes us well and leaves. Bruiser and Jane soon arrive with Spicegirl in tow. Dora, with a surprise appearance of Cowboy, complete our group. We decide to take the two SUV for the rough ride up Mt. Tapochao and onto Waserak Rd. We park the cars just before the road becomes rougher than we would like to tackle. From there we walk the rest of the way on Waserak until we come to the trail head. 

The trail becomes immediately dense with trees, vines and large birds nest ferns. We take this opportunity to take a couple of photos before we immerse deeply into tackling the thick forest. Bruiser, Jane, Dora, Spicegirl, and Cowboy are all smiles, not suspecting what is ahead.

After spending most of the time crouching and squeezing through branches, trunks, we take another moment for a water break.

Bruiser and Jane demonstrate the posture we have to adopt for most of the trail.

Another chance to stand up straight and rest. From here on, very few photos are taken as CC and everyone are so busy keeping our balance, placing each step carefully to avoid slipping, hanging onto trees and vines, or simply butt-slide, down the steep slopes, all the while still admiring the scenery.

Before the descend, we find this concrete marker. It does not have a K on the top, and we are not able to make out the etching, but it is definitely a marker of some sort. 

One of the creepy looking roots on a tree branch as we try to grab available branches, but not this one.

Finally we are at the bottom. Here we are on the way to the end of the trail where the overlook is. We will return to the bamboo for snacks.

Here we are, resting on the road to Guala Rai down below. Beyond in the lagoon is the pre-positioning ship.

We return to the bamboo forest, and set up our snacks under the canopy. it is a beautiful spot of giant bamboos, singing birds and general stillness. We are prepared to retrace our steps to climb and claw our way back up the cliff, crouching "Hobbits" like (Jane's description), or brave like "Indiana Jones" (Bruiser's description), and then through the two sword-grass fields. Going up, is faster and actually a bit "easier". Well, just a little bit. We walk back up the road to the car.

A group of happy and satisfied hikers back at the cars (even though Bruiser broke his hiking pole.) The total hike takes about four hours.

Everyone declares that this hike is fully Five Sneakers rated!