Let's climb a neighboring high mountain to see beautifully snow-crowned Mt. Fuji in a short distance. Last weekend, Brompton and I went to climb Mt. Gongen, a popular destination of trekking and off-road biking near Tokyo.
Take JR Chuo Line to get to Uenohara Station. Then you get on the bus bound for the trail entrance.
［Data］
Route Yotake bus stop (elevation 293m) → the ridge → Gongenyama Summit (elevation 1,312m) → Wami Forest Road → JR Uenohara Station
Distance 24km
Max. Difference of Elevation 1,132m
Average % total -0.6% ascent 11.9% descent 8.7%
Acquired Elevation ascent 1,052m descent 1,191m
When I arrived at Yotake bus stop, unfolded the bike to start.
5 minutes later the paved road ended and the trail started. The first part of the trail was unexpectedly steep until it reached the ridge.
After getting to the ridge of about 500 meters in elevation, the trail becomes relatively flat and you can enjoy trail rides on your Brompton.
When I further traversed the ridges of Mt. Gongen, suddenly met a group of 10 MTB riders on the trail.
The group included a foreign traveler from Europe or the US. He said "It's wonderful and exciting!"
Continuing riding on the ridge trail toward the peak of Mount Gongen.
A microwave tower was on the way. The ridge trail still continued.
Approaching the peak area.
On a short way to the peak, there was a old, modest shrine.
It is the inner sanctuary of Osero Shrine dedicated to Yamato Takeruno Mikoto, a legendary hero in the Japanese mythology. Ancient documents said that the shrine already existed in the Bunka Years of the Edo Period, between 1804 and 1818.
Autumn tints beautifully decorated around the top of Mount Gongen.
Finally I reached the peak of Mount Gongen with its elevation of 1,312 meters.
This is Mount Fuji with a snow cap. Wonderful!
No comments:
Post a Comment