Banaderu Again

The Chops is taking a break from her Hawaiian home for a visit to her old stomping ground. While here, she joins us for a Sunday hike, just like old times! 
One of our favorite hikes is the Banaderu from Last Command Post up to the top of Suicide Cliff. Even though we have just done the hike two weeks ago, we decide to repeat, especially while the trail is cleared and well marked. 

SoccerFish (doing a John Travolta dancing pose), Scout, Caveman, Peppy, PTShelley, Chops, CC. at the parking lot by the Korean Monument.

A familiar sight of coconut crab on a coconut!

First part of the trail is steep and a little bit slippery from previous day's rain.

Chops looking at the next big climb and remembering the fun times.

Mid point at the cave and our favorite resting spot, Scout goes scouting.

Taking a break, PT and Caveman check out the surrounding trees and see if there is anything interesting.

Pepppy and Chops almost reaching the lookout platform.

The original fence at the lookout is now only a single rail. Beyond that is the straight drop. Caveman stays far back to take a photo of the ocean.

 Chops and Peppy arriving at the lookout.

A little furry mushroom. The trail from the lookout to the top is still open. 

Snacking at our favorite benches. After the snack, Caveman, Scout, and SF decide to take the trail back down. PT, Chops, Peppy, and CC take the longer way on the road. It is a nice and not-too-hot day for a pleasant stroll down the mountain.

On the way down, we see the par course equipment has slowly deteriorated beyond being useful.

Peppy's Strava shows 4.4 miles and about 3.5 hours overall time. It is, as usual, a great hike.

Caving at XTerra

For an easy and fun hike, we decide to go to Hidden Beach (San Juan) via the XTerra trail. The distance is less than four miles and we will have time to enjoy the view, the beach, and a bit of hill climbing. 
On Sunday morning, hikers gather at the designated parking, and thread our way down the trail.  

A nice view, from the ledge, of Kagman, Kingfisher, and rolling green hills. Rexplorer, Risa, WonderWoman, and Ewok take a moment to remember why we love this unspoiled "wilderness". 

With the "XTerra" bike trail sign still marking the sudden drop that have many bikers tumbled headlong into the shrubbery below, SockerFish  gets ready to scoot down, with Scout and WW waiting. 

 A new comer, friend of Scout's, Mr. Kim gets ready to conquer the slope.

Nearing the Camacho farm, Scout puts the leash on PanPan and gives him some water. WW, Risa, SoccerFish, and Kim wait to re-start.

A young goat at the farm.

Right by the farm, we spot Caveman sitting on a log, with a machete, and a big grin. He has missed hiking down with us, but has instead prepared the trail to the family cave that we have desired for a long time to visit. We are delighted to see him.

After stomping through the boonies, we come near the cave. PanPan follows closely.

First thing we notice are three barrels weigh down under fallen rocks and dirt. These barrels are supposed to have salt in them.

Entering the wide and deep cave.

Deep inside the cave are piles of left over cans. Kim, Rexplorer and WW getting a closer look at them.

Cans...

Bottles.

looking out the cave, one can see it's quite large and deep. Over time, parts of the roof have fallen down. 

Rexplorer explores the stack of potteries.

Caveman, PanPan, WW, Scout, SoccerFish, and Kim take a moment to ponder.

Blue and white bowls and plates.

A rusted lantern.

On the way out, a warning sign to visitors.

Back on the road to the beach.

A real problem with careless visitors. Scout explains that his team cleans up the trash. 

Even with the sign, the problem persists.

Wonder Woman watches the waves crashing against the rocks. The beach is relatively clean. Unfortunately the cave on the far right side of the beach is not. 

 A nice shady spot for the long awaited snack time. Enjoying the respite: Kim, Ewok, SoccerFish, PanPan, Scout, WonderWoman, Rexplorer, Tweetie (aka Risa the tweetie bird), CC.

On the way back, the group separates and return to their respective cars. By now the sun is beating down with intense heat. Rexplorer and Ewok take a break.

The 3.8-mile hike with the cave exploration is most enjoyable, despite the heat. 

Banaderu Climb

With several hikers off island and others very busy, we do not expect many participants for this Sunday's mountain climbing to Suicide Cliff. So it is not a surprise that four (actually five) of us meet at the Korean monument in Marpi at 6 a.m. 
Despite some good rainfalls in the Garapan area the previous day, no sign of any precipitation in Marpi area. 
An anxious PanPan with Scout, Soccerfish, CB and CC wait for a few minutes at the parking lot, then all agree to start the hike. 

A narrow opening around the bougainvillea plant behind the monument leads us to the trail head. Following the yellow caution tapes tied to the trees, we are able to follow quite easily through the rocky trail.

Crab hunters have set up crab traps along the trail. Currently no takers...

SoccerFish and CB taking a stroll through the thick boonies trail.

Soon enough the climb begins. There is a series of relentless rocks and boulders that test our lungs and legs. Even the very enthusiastic young PanPan starts to drag himself slowly up the steep incline. An occasional rest and catching of our breath bring us to the next level.

The first lookout has a clear view of the road below and the ocean beyond.

Another steep climb and a rest, Scout and SoccerFish are ready to tackle the next phase.

A hollowed out tree along the path.

Nearing the top, CB takes a few steps down the trail before coming to the field of cadena de amor where we have been blocked from continuing on the trail in December, 2015. Nowe we wonder if the field and beyond are still overgrown and blocking the trail. If that is the case, we plan to turn around and go back down the mountain.

We are pleasantly surprised that the trail continues through the field. Although Scout and SoccerFish have taken a detour and are coming from below the trail. SoccerFish is now finding his way through the field. We have noticed, however, that the vines seem to have been sprayed with weed killer even though the resilient new vines are starting to grow over the dead ones.

We are delighted to see the cactus plant at the end of the trail, signaling that we have arrived! It has taken us just over one hour to reach the top.

We enjoy the snacks in the cool gentle breeze, and "endure" SoccerFish's nonstop story and joke telling. It is a pleasant spot to share our goodies. 

Suddenly an apparition appears out of the boonies...Waldo catches up with us. He has started his hike fifteen minutes after us. We continue to enjoy our snacks.

Soon Scout has to leave for an important appointment. The rest of us stay and relax and feel no rush to go anywhere.

We finally decide to head back down. Waldo uses the old metal had rail to step down. Going down the steep slopes are usually very tough on the knees.

Taking a rest on the big tree trunk next to the big cave on the cliff. This is our favorite spot to catch our breath and to have a peek out at he ocean through the trees. After this rest, Waldo decides to take a detour to explore some more.

Interesting.

CB and CC are the last two standing!

We are very happy that the Banaderu trail is completely open. It is a great hike both ways. We look forward to doing it again soon...