Oba and Beyond

After our record-breaking long hike last week to the B29 and Oba Trail, this week we decide to visit the Oba Cave itself for those who have never, or have not for a long time, seen the cave. Notice goes out that we will park at Gold's Gym, then go through the park, up to the trail head in China Town for the hike up to the cave, explore, and then double back down. Barring anything unexpected, the hike should be average in length and difficulty.

At 6:30 a.m. Sunday, another record-breaking event: sixteen happy faces show up at the parking lot. A quick head count shows Handy, Cutie, Sherpa-Jane, Sparky, Thor, Ewok, Lee, Dora, Cowboy, Doc, Penny, WonderWoman, PT-Shelly, Chris, Rexplorer, and CC, ready for another fun hike.   

Site of our parking at Gold's Gym. Since the gym is not open yet, there is a lot of space. We park on the outside of the main lot. To start the hike, we take a warm up walk through the Sugar King Park, just across from the gym.

A very pleasant and cool stroll takes us up to the Tori Gate in the park. The park is established to memorialize the very successful pre-war production of sugar on Saipan, Rota & Tinian that supplied Japan with sugar, and its founder Haruji Matsue. The park is very well maintained, giving us a chance to enjoy the early morning serenity. Here PT Shelly, Chris, Penny, Handy, and Doc crossing the threshold of the gate.

We climb up the Sugar Hill over a series of winding steps that take us to the east side of the park where a Buddhist Temple is located. The temple is still closed at this hour of the morning. As we circle the temple to the edge of the park, we come to a fence which surrounds the park. Not able to find an opened gate, we decide to climb over the lower portion of the fence.

Rexplorer hops over first, and Ewok offers his service as the human stepping stone. Here Thor propels herself from Ewok's locked palms and steps over the top of the fence. Rexplorer follows through with his helping hands.

It takes three to go over a fence! Ewok is using his muscles to hold up Handy's leg, as Rexplorer is determined to keep Handy steady while he maneuvers his leg over the top. Doc is looking for another spot to cross over.

The last to jump over the fence, Ewok lands on his rump, as Rexplorer, Sherpa-Jane and Sparky give him the applauds he so deserves. A good job well done...

A short walk from the park takes us down the gully where the tail head is. The gully is dry, but very rocky and at times slippery where the green moss covers the rocks. Sparky and Thor slowly negotiate their way up the trail.

As we near the cave, the trail becomes more difficult with hard to manage mini-cliffs. Here PT-Shelly climbs through two big boulders.

Lee climbs up this big rock as Rexplorer helps on the top and Thor helps at the base.

Here is a series of moss-covered rocks to conquer. Dora carefully watches her steps, while Cowboys looks back to make sure Handy is safe.

A steep climb. Small groups of hikers work their way up these tough ascends. Sometimes strength and flexibility are real beneficial for climbing up, and down, these rocks, with careful and firm placement of one's foot each step of the way. Cowboy and Handy are almost at the top, while Penny takes photos from down below, with Doc and Sherpa-Jane waiting in the wing.

A greatly happy and relieved Handy reaches the top of this big rock climb, with the help of Rexplorer and PT Shelly.

Doc lifts his leg for the next step up while Rexplorer offers his hand, and PT offers encouragement. 

Handy carefully makes his way up this narrow ridge to reach the next level of this continuously challenging climb. Sherpa-Jane has her hand outstretched to catch Handy in case he slips, while Rexplorer is ready to pull him up. Lee is already up, and WonderWoman keeps an eye on the scene.

Sparky has taken an alternative route up this part of the trail. In fact, the alternative route is the trail to take if we want to avoid the tough climb up the rocks. Sparky is up at the plateau watching Cutie almost reaching the top, while Handy and PTShelly follow. 

Rexplorer is pointing at the "easy" trail he and Sparky and Ewok have taken. The first of the Oba cave entrances is near the final climb up the rocks. The main entrance to the cave is further up where a rope is installed for walking up the slope to the cave opening. 

The main chamber of the cave is very large. Captain Oba, with his soldiers and more than 200 civilians used many caves around Mt. Tapochau to hide for about 16 months after the fighting was over, until his surrender in December of 1945. This cave has several sub-chambers and appear to be the largest of all the caves, natural or man-made. Cutie, Handy, and Thor give a good perspective of the size of the cave.

This sub-chamber leads to anther entrance/exit. Dora and Cowboy checking out the exit. 

After Oba Cave, we cross over the gully to the other side where the trail leading to the B29 is. Rexplorer points out the wide "road" built above this rock wall.

Just below the rock wall, on the slope, is an unexploded shell about 15 inches long. 

Another view of the rock wall. While several of us go across to the other side of the trail to explorer, the rest of the group remain on the road to chat and wait.

A mushroom "tree" right next to a foxhole on the slope. A number of foxholes are located on this hill, a sign that Oba's soldiers have probably used them for possible invasion. Although we spot a few caves, but they are small caves that might have been used for storage.

After everyone regroups on the "road", we decide it is a good time to have our snacks. All kinds of goodies are spread out on the tablecloth and in no time the ravenous hikers take good care of the snacks. 

Cowboy takes a rest cowboy style.

The whole group turn around and return to the merging trails where the main Oba cave is visible. On the way back, we take the upper trail, thus avoiding the rocky crevices and steep drops that we have taken on the way up. Going down is much faster and easier.

This unique looking mushroom appears on the trail.

Finally a group photo taken at the trail head. Front: Lee, Wonder Woman, Handy, Cowboy, Dora, Penny, CC. Back: Ewok, Sparky, Cutie, Thor, PT Shelly, Chris, Sherpa-Jane, and Doc. Missing: Rexplorer who has left earlier. 

A great hike all around. Lots of arm and leg work, lots to see, and lots of chatting. We return to the gym at 10 a.m.

B29 - Oba Trail

A much anticipated hike finally arrives on Sunday, February 9.  The B29 plane has been on our radar for a long time. as we have heard about it, seen in on YouTubes, planned and failed to make it happen so many times. Recently, Handy informs us that a trail has been opened from the downed plane all the way to the top of the Oba Cave trail where we can exit. Notices go out to the hikers to join this exciting hike. At 6:30 Sunday morning, we find 12 of us ready for the challenge. The catch for this hike is, most of us have never seen the plane, and those of who have, cannot remember where the trail head is. No matter, we are ready.

Gathered just outside of the Coral Isle Condo are Lee, Cutie, Thor, Rexplorer, Ewok, Sparky, Giggles, Dora, Marcia, Handy, Cowboy, and Capt. Charlie, ready for the adventure. 

Leaving Tapochau Road and going down The Navy Hill Road where part of the road has collapsed, exposing pipes and jagged concrete.  From here we go down to the first telephone pole where the Lamar trail begins.

Part of the Lamar trail. Cutie ahead, and Dora brings up the rear. Here the trail is pretty easy walking.

From the trail, we can get a glimpse of the Russian housing compound. The scaffolding between the two units is to build up the retaining wall that has collapsed during the rainy season.

Taking a brief rest on the trail are Marcia, Sparky, Cowboy, Cutie, Dora, Thor and Rexplorer. So far the trail has been fairly easy and the air is cool.

At the top of the trail is an open view of the lagoon and the pre-positioning ships. It is a glorious day for a hike. 

Looking for the trail to the plane, we walk through a well-maintained orchard of fruit trees and many pineapple bushes. We are actually not sure if we are heading to the right trail head, but the orchard is pleasantly interesting. So far we are hopeful to find the trail head around this area. Ewok bringing up the rear.

All the pineapple bushes are in good shape except this one favored by a group of snails, enjoying the fruit. After walking to the edge of the orchard, we realize that we are not on the right track. We turn back on Captive Way, where fortunately we run into Kimiko and friends biking toward the Lamar trail. She sends us back to the Lamar trail where the turn-off to the B29 trail is. We re-group and go back down the trail. Almost to the beginning of Lamar trail is where we find the turn-off to the B29 trail.

A nice lineup of hikers taking a pause on the B29 Trail. Thor and Sparky in the lead, Cutie, Thor, Handy and Lee follow.

A whole family of mushrooms.

Just as we emerge from a thicket of trees and bushes, we come upon the first piece of the B29, the fuselage! According our own knowledgeable Ewok, B29 is called the "Superfortress" for its numerous gun turrets. The "B" stands for Boeing. It is the first plane to be pressurized to allow the plane to fly over 14,000 feet high without having to use oxygen tank for the crew. 

We group around the fuselage. Ewok is not sure exactly what part of the plane it is from, except part of it could be the landing gear. CC in front, with Dora, Giggles, Lee, Ewok, Sparky, Cowboy, Cutie, Thor, Handy, and Marcia. Rexplorer is the photographer. The 69,610 Lb. plane has 4 engines of 2,200 horsepower each, a real monster of a plane!

One of the four engines. The plane crashed in 1945 during stormy weather, instruments malfunction, and bad visibility. Unfortunately, of the 10 crew, none survived. Nothing at the site should be removed.

Marcia, Giggles, Rexplorer checking out this engine with two blades bent out of shape. Ewok trying to take photos. One can imagine the impact this crash had, and what happened to the crew.

This engine still has a set of intact propellers.

Further down the trail is this engine with 18 cylinders arranged in two rows. In 1945, these are the most powerful engines made, and the plane can fly almost 6000 miles non stop. Marcia examines the cylinders closely.

Dora, Cowboy, Sparky, Handy making sure that the two rows of cylinders are all there.

Here is an old photo of a working B29.

From the plane site, we decide to continue on the trail as originally planned. We run into a section of very wet and muddy slopes. After hearing several people's obvious slip-and-slide, butt-walk seems like the right thing to do. Handy goes first, Cutie follows. 

Further down, the trail turns into mush. Sparky and Giggles hug close to the grassy edge for better footing. Here the gloves are most useful in grabbing the sword grass for balance.

 Marcia, Handy, CC, Thor, and Cutie proudly display their muddy butts for the photo op. 

After the muddy mess, the trail becomes more difficult with steep drop offs on moss covered rocks and boulders. One person at a time to negotiate carefully without falling and getting hurt.

Cowboy assisting Sparky down a rocky drop. Handy and Giggles waiting for their turn.

Handy takes a fall, and hauls himself up while Cowboy and Giggles watch and ready to assist. The jungle has a lot of vines on the ground that can catch and trip us. 

Across from the trail, we spot a cave. Rexplorer decides to check it out. Dora soon joins him. They continue on the other side of the ravine and declare later that they have found some very interesting caves and rock walls, all for future explorations. Soon we find that our trail merges with the Oba cave trail. We continue on the Oba trail and come to the upper field just off of the Navy Hill Road.

The giant bamboo forest is the sign that the end of the trail is near. After exiting the trail, we continue on the coral portion of the Navy Hill Road. It is now noon time, and it is hot all the way uphill back to the car.

From 6:30 to 12 noon, this has been one of the longest hikes, and one of the more difficult as well. 

CowTown

Finally, we are able to take our Sunday hike today, the sun having come out since Thursday. We decide to resume the same hike that was foiled last Sunday. The flat and relatively short Cowtown trail is a good way to resume our Sunday routine. At 6:30 a.m., Handy (sometimes aka "SoWhat"), Cutie, Thor, Sparky, Shelley, Lee, and CC meet at the Last Command Post. Everyone is happy to be together again for an easy hike so we can talk and catch up. We start on the road to Bonzai Cliff. 

Cattle is seen lounging in the field. We have walked past this field many times and have wondered whether it would be a ranch or a development.

New hiker Winnie with her mistress Shelley, and Lee decides to walk backward for a spell, while Cutie is all serious in her strides. The morning is quite windy, and the overcast sky keeps us cool as we continue toward Bonzai Cliff.

Thor forgoes her walking stick as she busily chatting with Handy.

On the trail to Cowtown Beach.

An eerie setting of the abandoned barracks along the trail. Thor is at the end of the hallway.

Thor, Lee, and Handy have gone through the building and are now making their way out. They are probably disappointed not having discovered anything more interesting.

Lee squeezes the liquid from a flower bud, claiming it is better than commercial eye drops. At this point, no one else in the group is ready to try it just yet. 

As expected, when we reach the Cowtown Beach, the surfs are roaring sky high. The recent rain storms, although cleared, keep the surfs strong.

The recent relentless rain and high surfs have changed the landscape. There is more sand on this beach. Lee is gingerly stepping around on the jagged rocks. 

A partial rainbow over the horizon.

Lee, Handy, and Thor examining the tide pools, while Sparky is headed back from the bunker. Although there is much to see in these tide pools, the sprays from the surfs can catch us unexpectedly. 

A beautiful blue jelly fish in the tide pool. There has been recent jelly fish warnings. Several other tide pools also have these pretty but nasty critters.

Winnie is a good hiker, and behaves quite well. 

Thor, Sparky, Lee, Shelley, CC, Cutie, and Handy, Winnie has the best deal here.

On the way back, to avoid the main road, we turn onto the old airfield. The old airfield is a better trail than the main road. Toward the end of the trail, this large bee hive is impressive, but no bees.

Back on the main road, Sparky and Lee are both busy checking out the grass, while Cutie and Handy hurry back to the car park.

Last but not least, Thor and Shelley exit the trail.

This has been a fairly leisurely hike, and everyone enjoys it. We agree we will tackle a more challenging hike next Sunday.