Singing the Sound of Music

Having called upon all those who have yet to hike on the current Sound of Music trails recently opened for the 2016 XTerra race, several hikers show up at the Coral Isle for the initial meeting at 6:20 a.m. Our plan is to leave a couple cars at the first parking area, then drive one or two cars up the road, just below the group of houses, so as to shorten the climb up the steep hill to the trail head. It is decided that RedEye and Cutie will take their car, Scout will take his car up the hill and park. Meanwhile, Giggles, Rexplorer, and CB opt to walk up. CC, SoccerFish, and PanPan ride in the truck with Scout. From our second parking spot, we climb up the next section of the steep hill to the trailhead. We gather at the trailhead and with wind blowing in our face we begin...

A lizard resting on this gnarly trunk on Aikens Lane. 

Aikens Lane veers off to a dirt trail. It appears to be fairly dry. From here we drop down to Sound of Music.

PanPan is delighted with being able to run around on the open field of Sound of Music. We notice, however, that the field has been fenced off. Does that mean it will be closed off for hikers and bikers? 

We decide to take our group photo now, using the telephone pole sections lying on the ground as our benches: SoccerFish, Cutie, RedEye, PanPan, Scout, Giggles, CB, Marcia, Rexplorer, CC.

Continuing through the wind-blown field of grass, we follow the XTerra trail, with view of 

LauLau Bay in the distance.

The trail drops down steadily. CB stops to take a photo of Rexplorer and CC

CB's candid shot of Rexplorer and CC.

Nature is starting to reclaim its territory and CB!

The trail continues to descend, everyone takes extra caution with several slippery and rocky segments. The savana is in sight, and Susupe in the distance. PanPan is way ahead of everyone.

Just before we drop down into the little forest, we can see clearly the damaged done by ATVs on the savana hillside. The grassland has several gouged out ruts that fan out in different directions, marking the landscape.

This little lush forest is like an oasis in the otherwise grassland only area. It is full of ferns, palms, and doni bushes, makes for a most pleasant hike through to the savana.

CB showing her agility.

Coming out of the forest, we turn up to the savana to find a rest stop. Here one can have a closeup look at the damaged grassland in the background.

The middle of the trail is as good as any for a stop to spread out our tablecloth and stuff ourselves with delicious snacks.

Marcia and PanPan have a lively tussle before they both call a truce. Rexplorer has left ahead of the group to attend to his next activity.

We retrace our steps and continue our circuitous hike onto Waserak Road 

Parts of Waserak remain muddy with puddles of water, another damage done by the large ATVs.

Last time we hiked on this trail right after the typhoon, the bamboo forest looked relatively unscathed, but this time the bamboos definitely show signs of lifelessness in many of the stalks. 

Yet new growths are sprouting to bring new life to the forest. A nice photo by CB.

This old beat up van has been on Waserak Rd for many years. Who is responsible for removing this eyesore? DPW? The Mayor's Office? The license plate shows registrations from '06 and '07.

Cutie and Marcia strolling on Waserak. Soon we come upon Tapochao Road where we will turn right to climb back up hill for the car. Giggles and Marcia turn left to go downhill to Giggle's car.  

Cutie and CB and CC successfully make the steep climb, pick up the car, drive downhill and see RedEye waiting on the side of the ride to hitch a ride!

The cool breeze and clear sky give us a fine day to make the circle hike around the base of Mt. Tapochao. Everyone has a great hike, and still has time to clean up, rest, and catch lunch!