What's Next? Outing!

To start year 2009 with a rather different activity, we goldies decided to go outing during the long holiday for Chinese Lunar New Year. When I brought out the proposal, Pamela recommended right away "32 行錧" in 北投 and suggested that we do it during the holiday when all the goldies are off work. It has breathtaking scenery (website: http://www.villa32.com/). According to Pamela, it was originally a private club and only serviced their members. Due to slow business, it opened for public now. We can do hiking or try hot spring besides having tea and having hot spring at "32 行錧"

Unexpectedly Virginia eagerly shared with us two great hiking trails in YMS for us to consider. I loved it because we can shake off some extra fat gained during the Lunar New Year. I was touched by Virginia’s thoughtful sharing and advice. Below is her sharing:

both trails, 冷水坑 to 擎天崗 and 二子坪 to 大屯 are pleasant to walk with right gears. For the first trail, 冷水坑 to 擎天崗, if we are early enough, before traffic control at 8 am, we should consider to drive to 冷水坑, park there and head for the beautiful trail to 擎天崗, where we can take a bus (108 遊園公車or 小15) back for 2 stations to the same parking lot and drive back to Bei Tou. Although the slopes are gentle, still hiking boots and sticks are strongly recommended.
http://www.ymsnp.gov.tw/web/project1a.aspx?no=28
仰德大道--文化大學前麥當勞右轉--菁山路--走一小段左轉大斜坡上冷水坑
The trail itself is about only 2 KM long but bear it in mind that it's a mountain hike and not flat. There are slopes and stairs up and down but it's the one of the most favored trails in YMS, even for youngsters. We need to be aware of the slippery stones and prepare to walk slowly and gently for about 2 hours or more because we may pause anywhere to enjoy the different views and take pictures.

If we don't drive, we can take 小15 from Chien Tan MRT station exit 1, but need to wait maybe 3 buses to get in. Upon hearing this, of course we choose to drive.

She also recommended us to bring light lunch like 飯糰, some candies, fruit and (hot)water. We can get supply in 擎天崗 service station in case. A must thing is rainproof jackets and hat, DO NOT bring small foldable umbrella !!! We either carry walking stick or upright, long umbrella while hiking. If the grass is not too wet , we can bring some big black garbage bags or plastic picnic cloth to sit on it. The big wide grass land is most ideal for a casual lunch. When Michelle showed doubt about her physical capability, Virginia comforted her saying
“Don't be afraid, you're safe because it's the most popular trail in YMS.”

Pity that Virginia can’t go with us that day as she will be in 二子坪service station from 9 to 16:30. She invited us to visit her there if we still have the strength after hiking and before heading for "32 行錧".

二子坪 is the trail where Virginia shot a series of snake catching a frog in front of her, we saw the photos. Since she wishes she can witness that great moments again, and said if she leads us, she will start from the beginning of the trail 百拉卡公路的人車分道 which she loves very much and is quite easy to walk. She continued that 冷擎步道 is also very pleasant but we need to be cautious for stone stairs that could be bit slippery. A hiking boots is a must or sneakers with very solid non-slip soles. An upright umbrella or alpenstock (登山杖) is also inevitable by coming down the stairs to save our precious knees for many more years. We will be able to enjoy different scenery on various sections of the route, especially looking up to 七星山.
http://www1.forest.gov.tw/lib/LIB_2-5_05.asp

She invited us to do this some other time altogether.. We who are available right after the 1st outing, scheduled without hesitation a 2nd outing, 二子坪 to 大屯.

After a few back and forth mail, the date was set on 1/29th, and we will put hiking our focus. Lydia and I are glad to take the responsibility to drive all goldies up to the mountain, and start our hike from there. I am extremely excited about the outing. Since I am a moron driver especially when driving to a strange place, I promised goldies that I'll study the route and traffic first to ensure that we can enjoy a most relaxing and exciting outing/hiking.

“冷水坑 to 擎天崗” and "32 行錧", here we come!

Trini