Mystery Peak & Caves

A "new" trail has been "discovered" recently and we want to share with the hikers. Near the Bird Island Lookout is a small mountain that looks interesting and reachable, but no name is given to this mountain on the map. On one Friday, Rexplorer, Sparky, and Capt. Charlie explore the area near Laderan Tangke and are able to reach the top for a bird's eye view of the Bird Island. 
Notice goes out to the hikers to join the Sunday adventure to the top of the mountain that we have named "Mystery Peak", and to see a number of caves on the way. On Sunday, fifteen hikers and a dog meet at the Bird Island parking: Handy, Cutie, Chops, Dora, Cowboy, Thor, Sparky, Ewok, Bruiser, Sherpa, Spicegirl, Scout, Aaron, Boy, Rexplorer, and CC, climb up the little gully onto the trail called Bird Island Detour (from Laderan Tangke) that takes us to the mountain in the northwest direction.

"Mystery Peak" - before we start the hike, we take a look at the mountain, and we marvel at the steep face on the left, because that is the route Rexplorer, Sparky, and CC have taken on the previous Friday, basically rock climbing on the final stretch before reaching the peak, and have subsequently discovered there is an easier way on the right side to reach the same spot!

Sherpa and Handy climbing up the steep gully, while Boy waits for everyone to show up at the start of the hike.

Most of the hikers are familiar with this trail as part of our previous hikes on the Laderan Tangke trail which is just above this Bird Island Detour. We are going the reverse way toward the peak.

We have seen these golden nuts many times, and Chops' research says it is called Ochrosia, grown in tropical Asia and Pacific Island, for timber, medicine and dyes. There are several variations of colors, mostly red and pink.

 

Dora discovers a whole dozen eggs in this nest next to our trail. There are wild chickens in almost all the boonie areas, and Boy likes to chase them around. We hope the chicken will come back to continue her hatching of the eggs.

We gradually climb up the slope, here the terrain is rocky, but relatively open, so it is not too difficult even without any trail markers.

As we climb up the rocky surface, we encounter a cave on both sides of these two rocks. Spicegirl informs us that these are the "Kissing Rocks"! Hmmmmmm...

Taking a breather part way up the slope; Handy remains standing, Thor finds a comfy rock, Ewok, Aaron, and Rexplorer relax, while Scout? takes picture. 

Bruiser looks at the inside of a well hidden foxhole.

Keep on climbing and be careful not to get tripped up by numerous vines everywhere, hanging down from branches, snaking over the ground and criss-crossing from tree to tree. Dora is enjoying the hike, with Aaron, Cowboy, Sherpa, Bruiser, Cutie, and Chops trailing.

Approaching the big cave are Bruiser, Sherpa, Handy, Cutie, and Sparky. Taking some time to soak it in, looking at the rock formation and the alcoves.

Spicegirl and Scout inside the cave.

Handy, Dora, Aaron, and Sherpa looking for any war relics on the cave floor. Rexplorer is happy that everyone is enjoying this cave discovery.

The ubiquitous beer bottles on the cave floor are not a surprise, but the broken tiles are. It looks as if there has been some build-up in the cave, so far up on the hill side. Also seen are soles of Japanese tabi shoes.

An old Sapporo beer bottle?

Leaving the cave and ready to keep going up. Sherpa takes a few photo, while Chops get her pack ready for the long haul.

Last of the big climb before we reach the level ground on the peak. Cutie using her arms muscles to pull up and Chops waits her turn.

Rexplorer at the edge of the cliff overlooking Bird Island. Since the viewing "platform" is small, the group takes turn to step forward for this "top of the peak" view.  Not sure of the altitude, but it's high enough and far enough.

After the group has a chance to see their accomplishment, a sudden onslaught of hunger seems to grip everyone. A fairly flat area is located, tablecloth spreads out and goodies shower down. While everyone enjoys the refreshment and rest, is Cowboy taking a Selfie?

Going down isn't exactly easier than going up. Here Ewok and Chops gingerly drop down the boulders.

Passing by another cave, but too busy trying to go down, Ewok, Chops, Thor, Bruiser, and Sherpa find different route to take.

Handy seems to be telling himself to be courageous but careful. Cutie gets ready for her turn.

Near the LT trail, a huge bee hive hangs on the tree trunk, with hundreds of bees. We have marked the location with ribbons to make sure the hikers will not accidentally walk up to it. We circle carefully to the front of the hive for a good look. Cowboy decides to circle behind it, and come out from a different direction. The hive appears bigger than before. After the hive, we continue south east back toward the B.I. detour trail.

Boy is overheated, he decides to dig a little bed of cool dirt to lie down before water supply arrives.

Back to the parking lot and join the day tours. The guard on duty very nicely takes this group photo for us: Cutie, Handy, Bruiser, Sherpa, Ewok, Dora, Cowboy, Rexplorer, CC, Chops, Sparky, Thor, Spicegirl, Scout, Aaron, and Boy. We have not lost a single person, or dog!

This rowdy group wants to make sure that we rate this a Five-Sneaker Hike. Can you recognize whose feet they are? Check the upcoming email message for the answer. 

(After an initial complaint, they have accepted the reason why last week's hike is rated four-sneaker: half of the 12 hikers retire before the end of the hike, hence it's an incomplete story)

The Long March

Despite a warning that this Sunday's hike will be long (8 miles) and hot (over 4 hours), twelve hardy souls and a happy dog meet up at Kosack driveway at 6 a.m.: Giggles, Spicegirl, Sherpa, Chops, WonderWoman, Handy, Cutie, Thor, Sparky, Ewok, Rexplorer, CC, and Boy. Two hikers actually park a car by the old Japanese hospital entrance (before the end of the hike) to shorten the distance for them. We leave the driveway and trek down the one-mile Xterra trail in the cool morning air.

Looking like a Toyota Used car lot.

Xterra sign tacked to a tree shows the well groomed single-track trail ready for the race next week. Here the hikers single file down the trail, with Rexplorer in the lead and Giggles bringing up the rear.

Radar Hill in the distance. Probably beckoning us to hike up there.

Taking a short break before we reach the Camacho Farm. Spicegirl taking photo, Sparky, Rexplorer, Thor looking a little surprised at something? Handy and Cutie are further down the road. 

At the end of the Xterra trail, we see ducks and a turkey at the Camacho Farm.

A new fruit stand at the Camacho Farm. WonderWoman looking at the bananas. This is a popular road to the Hidden Beach, and the fruit stand is ready for the tourists.

After the farm, we continue on Talofofo Road. Chops picks up a pod of Bojobo seed. This is a seed grown on a vine. Here, shown by WonderWoman (a polished one), and Sherpa (an unpolished one), these seeds are used, together with coconut fibre, to make the handicraft called Bojobo dolls. The dolls are legendary good luck dolls that bring one Peace, Friendship, Love, and some other good fortunes. They are sold in tourist shops. Most of the dolls are now imported from the Philippines.

Orange skirted pair. Other variations of colors and events are also available.

The grueling uphill climb on Talofofo Road is part of the Xterra race. Bikers are out practicing on this road and the other trails. Altogether we meet almost twenty bikers "enjoying" an early morning ride here and on the race course. From Talofofo, we turn onto Egigi Road, then veer off onto McDick at the farm. 

A sturdy wooden bridge across this brook. This is the first time we see water under the bridge. Everyone stops to enjoy this pond. 

Continuing on McDick Trail, part of the race course.

Exiting McDick, we come to the driveway of the Guerrero farm as we walk through the gate. Here Spicegirl has to restrain Boy as there are several dogs at the farm. Sherpa, WonderWoman, and Giggles wait for the right time to walk through this private property.

We come upon the large vegetable farm extending over several acres. Sparky and Ewok are very impressed with the ripen eggplants crop ready for harvesting. It probably reminds them of  their favorite eggplant shrimp dish at Poon's Restaurant.

Rows of neatly planted tomatoes, lettuce, and green onions are well tended by the farmers.

Two young bikers are practicing on the trail.

Rexplorer, Giggles, Chops, Ewok, Thor and Sparky leaving the HoChiMin trail and entering the Bananarama trail.

Another surprise of an actual babbling brook, flowing under this bridge. The heavy rainy season must have contributed to this rare little gem.

Sherpa catches up with the group, following the sign into Bananarama.

Banana blossoms and the covers scattered on the ground. Right after the bananarama trail is a clearing under a big mango tree. This is our usual snack ground. Giggle's donuts and cinnamon rolls are a big hit, other snacks and fruit soon disappear into hungry mouths. 

Several bikers come through, including our Belle from Gold's Gym.  A good photo op with Ewok.

We find animal bones scattered on the trail.

We lose the first group of early retirees. Rexplorer, Giggles, Ewok, and WonderWoman pick up the car parked earlier at the entrance of the old Japanese Field Hospital. They have hiked 5.25 miles.

At the top of Egigi Road, at about the 6 mile point, Cutie's sister Akiko is waiting to pick up the second group of retirees, Handy and Cutie. While waiting for Handy to catch up, the waiting group rests at this bus stop, and take this beautiful group photo. Peeking from the window are the smiling faces of Cutie, Chops, Thor, and Sparky. Relaxing on the bench are Akiko, Spicegirl with Boy, Sherpa, and Capt. Charlie. 

Here comes Handy. After he and Cutie take off, we are six people and one dog. We continue on Isa Road. This is the tough part as we have to watch out for cars, road construction, and under the full sun.  

This abandoned house used to be one of the fine homes. Trees and shrubs are quickly overtaking the property.

Boy is so very thirsty. He slurps up half a bottle of water and more. Spicegirl feels better with hiking sandals on her sore feet. This last stretch of the hike is pretty tough, taking us down the main Isa Drive, through the government offices, chicken farm and finally on Savana Road, which fortunately is fairly shaded.

We end the hike at 8.23 miles, and 4.5 hours. It is a workout hike for us, once a year, to experience part of the Xterra Race course. Although it is not an adventure, it is nevertheless a good way to see the part of our island that is not opened to the public. It is rated a four sneaker hike which we will repeat next year!