Sound of Music Post-Storm

We wonder if one of our favorite hiking trails is passable. The circular Tapochau-Sound of Music-Upper XTerra-Waserak-Tapochau is a challenging hike, but also very scenic. We decide to try it and see how far we can go before having to turn back.
We meet on Mt. Tapochau Road just outside of Coral Isle condo, at 6:15 a.m. on Sunday. Six of us, including two new hikers take up the challenge: Chops, Sparky, Ewok, Tom, Edna, and CC begin the uphill climb.

The recently graded road makes for an easy start up the hill.

This stretch of the road gets pretty steep. Here Tom, Edna, and Sparky soldier on, with Ewok and Chops braving the hill.

Finally, we reach Chief Aiken Road where we turn off, passing this big flatbed truck. 

Ewok takes a tumble on the slope covered with loose rocks. 

A minor road block of a puddle. We stop to decide how to cross over.

Ewok decides to tread across the middle lane which turns out mushy up to his ankles. We enjoy watching Ewok's balancing act.

Notice there is only one set of big-foot prints. The rest of us walk on the side of the trail and make it to the other end dry and clean. The trail toward Sound of Music is still passable.

Arriving at the field of Sound of Music. The view of LauLau Bay is still fantastic. From the field we continue onto the narrow trail west toward the view point of Chalan LauLau and Garapan. The trail is full of mimosa.

We reach a big fallen ironwood tree. Here we are temporarily lost. But not for long as the trail continues on the other side of the tree. Edna and Chops make their way over some fallen branches.

Sparky tries to break this branch, but concludes that it will make no difference. We continue on this narrow mimosa-filled trail until we reach a point where we have a glimpse of Chalan LauLau, but not able to continue through the very tall sword grass. Here we decide to turn around.

On the way back, these hikers start to stomp around like mashing grapes for making wine.

Then they walk around as if searching for some lost treasure.

This is the end result of their hard work: a nice and flat sitting area for our snack time rest!

Tom and Edna checking out the wild orchid plant. We enjoy the sun and breeze and fill ourselves with snacks before retracing our steps all the way back down to Coral Isle parking.

A short and sweet three-hour hike with Edna, Tom, Chops, CC, Ewok, and Sparky.