Sound of Music

We are very happy to be able to hike the full Sound of Music again. This is the hike that circles  the base of Mt. Tapochao, from near the top of the mountain, to Chief Aikens Road, then the Sound of Music, then descend into a beautiful little forest that leads to the Savana, and Waserak Road. Eventually the road leads back to Mt. Tapochau Road. The last time we tried after the typhoon, we were only able to reach the SOM field, but not beyond to the savana and Waserak Road. This time the trail has been opened in preparation for the Annual March XTerra Race. With recent rainfall, a warning is sent out this time that Waserak may be muddy. Most of the deep puddles are created by the ATVs favored by tourists.
Our meeting location is, as usual, at the Coral Isle. However, several hikers express their plan to skip the uphill climb on Tapochao Road, and instead, will drive up and park at the entrance of Chief Aikens Lane.  

At 6:30 we gather at the Coral Isle, RedEye decides to drive up to Aikens Lane. Cutie, Sparky, Thor, Giggles, and CC begin hiking up the now almost paved road. 

Partway up, Dave joins us

Last week, when hikers are hiking on Tinian, there is a photo of hikers' shoes. CC throws out the challenge for anyone who can guess accurately the owners of the shoes will win a prize. Giggles takes on the challenge and correctly identifies all the shoe owners. So today when hikers reach the turn off (and waiting) point by Aikens Lane, CC presents Giggles with the prize of a stemmed blue bowl. Giggles is pleasantly surprised. As we wait, rain starts to drop. Those of us who are equipped with rain gear don them immediately. Those who are not equipped jump into the car to wait out the rain.  

Thor, Sparky, and Waldo wait in Waldo's car.

With rain comes fog. A car appears out of the fog, it is Mary and Linn coming to join us. In the car is Linn's sister-in-law Bridget who is visiting from Juneau, Alaska.

Finally rain stops, and sky clears. With a definite expectation that the group will disperse partway through the hike, we take a group photo while everyone is together: Thor, Mary, Waldo, Cutie, RedEye, Giggles, Sparky, CC, Bridget, Dave, Linn. From here we turn onto Aikens Lane.

The trail is quite slippery on the rocky surface. Most of the hikers move to the side or the middle and walk on the grass.

While the group stops and admires the view, Sparky continues carefully trots down the trail toward Sound of Music field.

The wind swept grassy field reminds us of the Von Trapp family fleeing from the Nazis on this "Tropical Switzerland"...

Is this Capt. and Maria Von Trapp and their seven children?

After the SOM field, we trek on the newly re-opened narrow trail down toward the Savana. As the trail becomes a little more steep and the footing less secure, six hikers decide to stop and take a look at the western coast, then turn to retrace their way back to the car. So Giggles, Thor, Waldo, Cutie, and CC continue through the beautiful forest trail, then onto the Savana. Before starting the circle trail on Waserak, it is snack time. Having emptied the snack packs  from RedEye and Sparky, the five hungry hikers enjoy the large stock of snacks that is enough for eleven people!

Waserak is, as expected, muddy. Here Thor stops to empty out a couple of rocks in her sandal.

The bamboo forest has taken a beating from the typhoon, although most of them still remain standing.

Some of the culprit ATVs that gouge out the dirt road. The drivers soon return, apparently never get out of the vehicle to enjoy the view!

The same van that has been here for at least four years. Each year it becomes more rusty and  broken. 

One of several of the big puddles. Thor makes her way on the side. Fortunately the morning is cool and the long uphill drag back to Tapochao Road is almost pleasant. After a short downhill, we are back to the car, completing the circle hike.

This is the route around the base of Mt. Tapochau. Although there are nine markers on the map, the actual distance is less than five miles. It is still a very fun hike.