Yet another trail built by the Japanese during their occupation of Taiwan, its main goal was to "supress the natives" and capture/relocate the mountain villages. Crossing the entire southern part of the island, its main effect was to cut off movement of the tribes and to bring them out of their element (the forests and the mountains) and establish them where they could be more controlled. For the most part, it worked. What remains today is a forgotten trail with an unforgettable history.
The trail starts not near the village of Dawu itself, but a two hour hike up a river valley. Pressing upstream we hiked through a valley of lush green, while trodding on a valley bottom of crass grey.
At the inevitable river corssing, we tried to do it the simple way....too deep, too fast. Then we tried another section downstream....same. Then further downstream...same. Once we had backtracked more than we ever wanted to, we were able to make it across safely and continue back upstream to the trailhead. Here we are de-socking and gettting sandal ready.
Back on dry ground....we moved.
The river valley started quite large, but as we moved upstream it gained grandeur and a stronger contrast between the green forest and the grey river valley. All in all, a gorgeous trek.
Walking along the river, after the seemingly easy, yet in practice difficult, river crossing. On the right, a self portrait at a snack break.
After a 2 hour plus slug up the valley we made it to the trailhead proper...the actual start of the trail. Most people who now do this trail access it from the western trailhead which has much easier access, some 15km away (the old trail was much longer, this 15km section is all that is left of the once island crossing connection). We, living on the eastern side of Taiwan had no choice. But, what we lacked in easy access, we made up for with solitude and peace.
Crystal crossing the bridge that marks the start of the actual JinShui Camp Trail. Trevor, on the right, on the trail itself.
The scenery...Taiwan provides delight once again (and again and again and again.....). Looking back on the left, looking forward on the right (the left pic was taken after a short climb up the Jin Shui Trail and we were able to see the whole river valley that we just left.
Critters, critters, everywhere....
Bridge crossing, the other way and a tree stripped of its soil base (this is a rather post-typhoon washout stage of the river....). Hard to tell where the tree trunk is, and where the hanging roots stop...or is there any actual trunk left....the roots taking on the job.....hmm....
Bridge crossing, the other way and a tree stripped of its soil base (this is a rather post-typhoon washout stage of the river....). Hard to tell where the tree trunk is, and where the hanging roots stop...or is there any actual trunk left....the roots taking on the job.....hmm....
We made it to the trailhead, did a short jaunt up the trail and turned around so we could make it back to Dawu before it got too dark. Sunset is aroud 5:30 - 6:00 here so the hiking days are limited by daylight. Explore, explore, home.
Our lunch/dinner spot in the town of Dawu as seen from our perch on the roof of our hotel...best cabbage in Taiwan? And earlier as the day saunters to a close, a man on a scooter takes on the flooded road along the river.
Us. Probably fairly obvious.
Mornign we awoke, caught a bus along the coast to Taitung, paused for a coffee and lunch (mmmmm..Indian food!!) and then headed back to Hualien (where we finally signed our contract for a new home.....).
More markets; Taitung City is a touch further south than we are in Hualien and the markets always seem a touch more bountiful. The power of latitude.
Awsome weekend, now it is time to pack. Moving twice in two months....utter chaos.
