Banaderu to Suicide Cliff

Despite a forecast of heavy weekend rain, and indeed a torrential downpour on Saturday, eight hikers meet up at the big flame tree across from Last Command Post at 6:15 a.m., on Sunday morning, for our planned climb up to the top of Suicide Cliff. The sky is overcast, but no rain in sight. We wait a few more minutes for one more hiker who does not show. We walk across the road toward the Korean monument.

Handy-RedEye and Cutie have decided not to go up the Banaderu Trail, figuring it may be a bit too strenuous for them to tackle, having just returned from a lengthy trip. They will hike on the CowTown trail and meet us back at the parking. 

A bright splash of pink bougainvillea welcomes us as we approach the Korean monument. The entrance of the trail is located just behind the monument.

The trail is immediately dark even in daylight. Spicegirl, Brad, and Peppy follow the well marked pathway.

The trail, although quite dry, is nevertheless steep and requires strong lungs to climb over rocks and boulders. Many trees and roots make for good handholds to haul ourselves up. Here Peppy, armed with gloves, climb up on all fours. 

Spicegirl, Peppy, and Brad, having followed the pink ribbons, are about to step over this gateway that leads us to a cave. Although the cave is interesting, the ribbons have actually led us off the trail. We are temporarily lost.

Rexplorer comes to the rescue. Realizing that we have taken the wrong turn, he backtracks down hill and leads us back on the trail.

A stop at the lookout point. Spicegirl admires the view...

...while Brad, Rexplorer, Peppy take a break.

An array of mushrooms on the trail. 

Rexplorer climbs these old stone steps near the top of the trail.

Taking another break, CC, Peppy, and Spicegirl are almost at the top.

               

From another lookout we see the veterans cemetery and the general cemetery, and the Philippines Sea beyond.

Finally at the top, and the snacks are spread out. Peppy and CC are enjoying a bite or two, and Boy looks on eagerly hoping to catch a kindly handout.

Andy, Boy, Spicegirl, Peppy, Brad, CC, and Rexplorer look happy!

Boy finds a bonus! He decides to charge into the bikers but is nice enough not to bite anyone, even though a couple of the bikers jump off the bike in fright!

On the way down the trail, we see this contorted face on the tree trunk. And what is that piece of wood nailed on the trunk?

Lots of butt-walk down the slippery slope. Going down is usually harder than going up. We reach the parking around 9:20. HandyRedEye and Cutie have been waiting for us for over one hour. We have thoroughly enjoyed our visit to one of our favorite trails.

Kimikaze

With more rain each day, we decide to avoid boonies and muddy trails. Knowing that the old FEBC road and Kimikaze trail usually remain quite dry and accessible, we meet at the GoKart parking lot at 6:15 p.m. to start our hike towards the Ayuyu Road (FEBC). Our guess is that only Spicegirl and CC will be hiking today. Fortunately, Spicegirl has invited two visiting co-workers to join us. So now we have four hikers to enjoy this Sunday outing.

Going up Ayuyu Road, the sky is slightly overcast and it is cool and pleasant for the uphill climb.  Spicegirl forging ahead, Brad and Isaac following her lead.

Kimikaze trail is surprisingly overgrown, although still quite passable. The lull after the spring races, and the recent rain pretty much guarantees most of the trails have grown freely.

Good thing is, the fern forest is beautiful. Brad and Isaac pause for a photo op.

Boy is paying intense attention to Spicegirl, perhaps wishing for a treat.

Despite all the recent rain, there are few mushrooms visible. This group of low-lying little brown mushrooms is one of several groups growing right on the trail.

An amazing self-twisting vine growing from the ground, then somehow twisting and reaching across to a tree about ten feet away.

After a short snack break, as usual by the side of the road, we decide not to continue onto the next trail. Instead, we double back up Kimikaze.

The two ends of the trail are overgrown with sword grass. Spicegirl demonstrates the height of the grass.

Instead of going back down the FEBC road, which could be slippery, we decide to walk behind and around the golf course to return to the car. On the way, we see this flattened lizard, measuring about two feet long.

A plumeria family.

Close up of these gorgeous flame tree flowers.

We walk on a carpet of fallen flame tree flowers.

Black mushrooms growing on the dead branch.

Two tourists taking pictures of the lagoon and Managaha in the distance.

No big deal for Boy, but Brad is trying to figure out how to get over to the other side. 

Best way is to step onto the grassy edge. Only a few minutes later, we are caught in a downpour all the way to the road. The rain stops as suddenly as it starts. We make it to the car and by then we are almost dry again. A typical Saipan rain storm.

The hike is about six miles and takes us almost four hours, with some obstacles on the trails and  a short stop for the rain. It is a pleasant hike. Four sneakers.

Hidden Beach

With most of our hikers off island or indisposed, we decide to resume our Sunday sojourn with a short trip down the Xterra trail to Hidden Beach. At 6:15 a.m., Ewok, Spicegirl, Rexplorer, and CC welcome a clear sky and walk down the trail. The trail has recently been "cleared" enough for passage, although the sword grass still makes its marks on our fingers and exposed skin. The trail is a little slippery from the recent storm that has hit Guam and skirted our island with thunder, lightning and pouring rain. The road from Camacho farm to the beach has a few puddles. We are happy to be hiking again.

On the road just before the concrete steps leading down to the beach, some of the trees and bushes have been cleared away for this great view. Some people call the rock "crocodile".

Water is very calm today. Not too much debris on the beach, although more than enough trash is  strewn on the big rock where Ewok and Rexplorer are sitting.

Small but happy group. Rexplorer, Ewok, Spicegirl, and CC

Of course we have to have our snacks before we head back up the trail.

A group of black birds flying and resting on top of the "crocodile" rock.

Ewok and Rexplorer hurrying on the sandy trail back up the steps.

At the Camacho farm, we see several goats and deer inside the compound. Then this little goat wanders out on the road to greet us, curious to see what we have to offer.

Spicegirl makes friend with the baby goat.

It was a short hike, but quite sufficient as a re-start for us.  We are glad to be back to our Sunday schedule.