Notice goes out to the hikers to join the Sunday adventure to the top of the mountain that we have named "Mystery Peak", and to see a number of caves on the way. On Sunday, fifteen hikers and a dog meet at the Bird Island parking: Handy, Cutie, Chops, Dora, Cowboy, Thor, Sparky, Ewok, Bruiser, Sherpa, Spicegirl, Scout, Aaron, Boy, Rexplorer, and CC, climb up the little gully onto the trail called Bird Island Detour (from Laderan Tangke) that takes us to the mountain in the northwest direction.
"Mystery Peak" - before we start the hike, we take a look at the mountain, and we marvel at the steep face on the left, because that is the route Rexplorer, Sparky, and CC have taken on the previous Friday, basically rock climbing on the final stretch before reaching the peak, and have subsequently discovered there is an easier way on the right side to reach the same spot!
Sherpa and Handy climbing up the steep gully, while Boy waits for everyone to show up at the start of the hike.
Most of the hikers are familiar with this trail as part of our previous hikes on the Laderan Tangke trail which is just above this Bird Island Detour. We are going the reverse way toward the peak.
We have seen these golden nuts many times, and Chops' research says it is called Ochrosia, grown in tropical Asia and Pacific Island, for timber, medicine and dyes. There are several variations of colors, mostly red and pink.
Dora discovers a whole dozen eggs in this nest next to our trail. There are wild chickens in almost all the boonie areas, and Boy likes to chase them around. We hope the chicken will come back to continue her hatching of the eggs.
We gradually climb up the slope, here the terrain is rocky, but relatively open, so it is not too difficult even without any trail markers.
As we climb up the rocky surface, we encounter a cave on both sides of these two rocks. Spicegirl informs us that these are the "Kissing Rocks"! Hmmmmmm...
Taking a breather part way up the slope; Handy remains standing, Thor finds a comfy rock, Ewok, Aaron, and Rexplorer relax, while Scout? takes picture.
Bruiser looks at the inside of a well hidden foxhole.
Keep on climbing and be careful not to get tripped up by numerous vines everywhere, hanging down from branches, snaking over the ground and criss-crossing from tree to tree. Dora is enjoying the hike, with Aaron, Cowboy, Sherpa, Bruiser, Cutie, and Chops trailing.
Approaching the big cave are Bruiser, Sherpa, Handy, Cutie, and Sparky. Taking some time to soak it in, looking at the rock formation and the alcoves.
Spicegirl and Scout inside the cave.
Handy, Dora, Aaron, and Sherpa looking for any war relics on the cave floor. Rexplorer is happy that everyone is enjoying this cave discovery.
The ubiquitous beer bottles on the cave floor are not a surprise, but the broken tiles are. It looks as if there has been some build-up in the cave, so far up on the hill side. Also seen are soles of Japanese tabi shoes.
An old Sapporo beer bottle?
Leaving the cave and ready to keep going up. Sherpa takes a few photo, while Chops get her pack ready for the long haul.
Last of the big climb before we reach the level ground on the peak. Cutie using her arms muscles to pull up and Chops waits her turn.
Rexplorer at the edge of the cliff overlooking Bird Island. Since the viewing "platform" is small, the group takes turn to step forward for this "top of the peak" view. Not sure of the altitude, but it's high enough and far enough.
After the group has a chance to see their accomplishment, a sudden onslaught of hunger seems to grip everyone. A fairly flat area is located, tablecloth spreads out and goodies shower down. While everyone enjoys the refreshment and rest, is Cowboy taking a Selfie?
Going down isn't exactly easier than going up. Here Ewok and Chops gingerly drop down the boulders.
Passing by another cave, but too busy trying to go down, Ewok, Chops, Thor, Bruiser, and Sherpa find different route to take.
Handy seems to be telling himself to be courageous but careful. Cutie gets ready for her turn.
Near the LT trail, a huge bee hive hangs on the tree trunk, with hundreds of bees. We have marked the location with ribbons to make sure the hikers will not accidentally walk up to it. We circle carefully to the front of the hive for a good look. Cowboy decides to circle behind it, and come out from a different direction. The hive appears bigger than before. After the hive, we continue south east back toward the B.I. detour trail.
Boy is overheated, he decides to dig a little bed of cool dirt to lie down before water supply arrives.
Back to the parking lot and join the day tours. The guard on duty very nicely takes this group photo for us: Cutie, Handy, Bruiser, Sherpa, Ewok, Dora, Cowboy, Rexplorer, CC, Chops, Sparky, Thor, Spicegirl, Scout, Aaron, and Boy. We have not lost a single person, or dog!
This rowdy group wants to make sure that we rate this a Five-Sneaker Hike. Can you recognize whose feet they are? Check the upcoming email message for the answer.
(After an initial complaint, they have accepted the reason why last week's hike is rated four-sneaker: half of the 12 hikers retire before the end of the hike, hence it's an incomplete story)
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