The highlight of this trip has got to be the visit to Mount Seorak. There is no better time to visit it than in Autumn, where red leaves could cover the mountain range. The last time I got to see red leaves was in Kyoto's Arashiyama, and it was really beautiful. I was expecting Mount Seorak to offer a similar spectacle, but unfortunately, the red leaves season has not arrived in full fanfare. We could only see pockets of red/orange leaves. It was a letdown indeed. Nonethless, we had fun trekking and got closer with nature.
You know you have reached Mount Seorak when you see the welcoming bear at the entrance.
Pass throught this gate and we are in.
According to a local, these couple of days have perfect weather to hike up the mountains. We are lucky.
Worshippers leaving a temple
Instrument playing diety
The Bronze Buddha of Sinheungsa inside the national park.
Are those diamonds encrusted on the forehead?
Rock stackings along the footpath
Is it art or a religious ritual?
Bridge over troubled water? Not at all.
Rolling mountains and flowing water, what a view.
Rapids washing away the tiredness of those who descended.
Family having a snack, to gather energy for the climb.
You feel you are in an amusement park than a national park.
Our lunch of seafood pancake.
Sharing home cooked meal on a rock.
Chipmunk having its own meal too.
The cable cars that take us up/down the mountain.
Evidence of history of the over-used fly wheels.
Visitors getting ready to board the cable car.
Here we go....
....up, up and away.
Bird's eye view of the national park.
Ulsanbawi, a rock formation across Gwonggeumseong Fortres.
Reaching the viewing deck of the cable tower.
After some efforts, we made it to the top.
Making my way up the summit.
Reverse view of my climb.
Do not let the inclination fool you. It is a difficult climb.
The rolling mountains as seen on the background, and are described on the foreground pictorial.
Adventurers claiming they have reached the top.
Other peaks as seen from Gwonggeumseong Fortress.
As far as the eyes could see....
.... the eastern coast of the Korean Peninsula.
If it is there, climb it!
We came here for the Autumn leaves....
....or whatever is available.
Perhaps we were too early for the season, and would miss out the leaves turning red. I would not exactly say I am disappointed. At least, I got to see the wonderful mountains in Mount Seorak National Park.
There are many hiking trials in the park, and it would take days to try them out. For us, we are sticking to the easy paths and would just settle for the 'Be there, seen it' experience.
And another travel trip awaiting....
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